DSL RHP Emilio Ferrebus (DSL Cubs – Chicago) 19 years old 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, Win 2-1, 1.80 ERA Gulf Coast League
Play begins on June 26th Arizona League
Play begins on June 24th Appy League RHP Joel Peguero (Princeton – Tampa Bay) 20 years old 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1.80 ERA
Pioneer League RHP Matt Blandino (Billings – Cincinnati) 21 years old 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, Win 2-2, 3.98 ERA
- 19th round pick in 2016 got some work at LoA Dayton where he alternated between starts and the bullpen. Sans one bad appearance, Blandino fared OK at the advanced level, but needs to limit contact. No doubt the control is there, with 16 strikeouts and zero walks over 20.1 innings.
- The 6’6″- 215 lb. Hightower probably thought he would return to West Virginia in 2017, but not with the short-season Black Bears. He did spend most of last season in the bullpen at Monongalia County Ballpark and then a late season promotion to the LoA WV Power across the way in Charleston. He went 4-5 with a 2.38 ERA over 45.1 innings, striking out 45 and allowing 7 walks in long relief. An assignment to LoA West Virginia had to be in the cards, but now the 15th round pick (2015) finds himself back in the NewYork-Penn League and in the rotation. Hightower hasn’t started a game since his pro debut season with Appy League Bristol in 2015. Hightower looked the part of a full-time starter last night throwing a 5-inning no-hitter with 10 strikeouts (career-high). Let’s wait to see where the 2016 UTR Organizational All-Star lands after this outing.
- Never mind that Bieber currently holds a 10.2 H9 rate (97 hits in 86 IP), he’s enjoying a breakout season thus far. After going 2-3 with a 3.10 ERA and gaudy 31.00 K/BB ratio (31 K / 1 BB) over 5 starts with 29 innings, he was promoted to Lynchburg at the end of April. He took his control with him surrendering only 4 walks along with 49 strikeouts over 57 HiA innings. The 2-time AL POD (April 14th & June 11th) matched his career-high with 11 K’s in his longest outing as a pro. You would be hard to find the 4th round pick from last year on any prospect list for the Indians, but that should change heading into 2018.
- The AL Pitcher of the Day on June 16th (when he matched his career-high with 10 strikeouts), out-did himself last night with 12 K’s over 6 innings.
Under The Radar Minors 