DSL RHP Emilio Ferrebus (DSL Cubs – Chicago) 19 years old 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, Win 1-1, 2.77 ERA Gulf Coast League
Play begins on June 26th Arizona League
Play begins on June 24th Appy League Play begins on June 22nd
Pioneer League Play begins on June 19th
Short-Season League LHP Michael Suarez (Northwest Everett – Seattle) 22 years old 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, Win 1-0
- Welcome to the 2017 season Michael Suarez. The Venezuelan southpaw made his first appearance of the season last night. After 3 straight years of being a UTR Organizational All-Star (2014, 2015, 2016), here’s what I wrote about Suarez before this season in the 2016 UTR-OAS review; Suarez actually made my 2014 list, but the radar signal wasn’t as strong since he just finished his second season in the Venezuelan Summer League. The signal got louder in 2015, as the left-hander moved into the #1 TPS spot. This would have placed the “Legit UTR” tag on Suarez, but again caution was exercised with him now in the DSL. He made it to the States in 2016 and just missed being at UTR-OAS for 2016. He should see his first full season in 2017, so I’ll be watching him. If you checked back to 2016 to see the full UTR-OAS roster, you would find that I made Suarez a “bonus pick”. This was because of the trade of Luiz Gohara to the Atlanta Braves. Gohara was ranked as my #1 UTR-OAS and Suarez came in at #6 and thus would have moved into the final roster spot. Im disappointed that he didn’t receive a full season assignment, but a promotion will be quick. The projectable 6′ 2″- 180 lb. lefty has displayed outstanding command and control into his 5th season. In 59 appearances (34 starts), Suarez currently holds a 9.7 K9 and 2.3 BB9 rates which equates to a 4.22 K/BB ratio. He also keeps the ball in the park with only allowing 4 home runs in 227.2 innings.
- In his second UTR-POD appearance (May 10th), Romero matched his career-high in innings (8) and sets a new high with 10 strikeouts. The 4th round pick (2106) hasn’t allowed more that three earned runs during his 12 starts, and that only occurred once during his last time out (3 ER in 6 IP). In his last 26.2 innings, Romero has racked up 31 K’s with only 2 walks; plus holding opposing batters to a .221 average and .242 OBP. Romero’s outing last night was a tune-up for the LoA All-Star game being played on June 20th, where he’ll see action for the North squad.
- After spending the last two seasons at LoA Lexington, Blewett gets work within the Blue Rocks rotation. He (#6) and A.J. Puckett (#5) are the top pitching prospects in Wilmington, but neither have performed up to that standard. Blewett has struggled with consistency issues and has allowed 11 home runs (8 on the road) in 13 starts. On the good news front, the 2nd round selection was solid last night matching his career-high 10 K’s; and follows-up Puckett’s dominating outing earlier in the week. Neither pitcher made the Carolina League All-Star roster. The HiA classic will be played on Tuesday June 20th.
- Humphreys hasn’t resorted to a blip on anybody’s radar screen. He started the season glowing like a bon-fire going 5-0 with a 1.71 ERA in April. He was my Mets Top UTR Pitcher for April. Though he didn’t top going 5-for-5 in mentions from April, he was just as good in May (3-1, 1.04 ERA) repeating as the Top UTR Pitcher for the month. Over his 11 starts, the 18th round pick in 2015 hasn’t allowed more that two earned runs in any start, on his way to a League leading 10 wins. Humphreys earned a roster spot for the South Division for the upcoming LoA All-Star game next week.
Under The Radar Minors 