- With the LoA leagues all-star break in the books, we look forward toward the second half. Tyler Thomas was probably thinking the same, and he kicked it off by setting a career-high with 11 strikeouts last night. The 7th round pick in 2017 had a solid first half by posting a 2.74 ERA in 10 starts and one save in his only relief appearances. Not only is the 6’1″ 175 lb southpaw enjoying his first full season, but also being in the starter role as a pro. In 11 appearances, Thomas is sporting an impressive 5.18 K/BB ratio and sub 1.00 WHIP (0.0946). Thomas was a Two-Start Treasure from May 15th to May 21st.
- Morgan was selected a round later that Tyler Thomas (8th Rd-2017), but his first half of the season could be labeled as a breakout. Morgan threw six hitless innings last night in his 6th start since his promotion to Lynchburg. In 8 starts at LoA Lake County, the smallish (5″10″ 190 lb) right-hander registered a 1.83 ERA and 56 strikeouts and only 8 walks in 44.1 innings. Morgan was highlighted as the Indians UTR Top Prospect Pitcher for both April and May, as well as a Two-Start Treasure from May 8th to May 14th.
Top Relief Pitcher Performance LHP Phillip Diehl (HiA Tampa – New York Yankees) 23 years old 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 3.89 ERA RADAR BLIP RHP Luis Oviedo (New York-Penn League Mahoning Valley – Cleveland) 19 years old 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 0.90 ERA, Win 1-0
- The numbers are becoming in-line when I predicted in 2016 that Oviedo is a rising prospect in the Indians system.
