Farm roundup: Matzek shines then struggles
Triple-A Colorado Springs (L, 9-7 vs. Tucscon, box)
Clayton Mortensen struggled in his first first, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits and walked three in three innings. The Sky Sox bullpen of Jim Miller, Andy Graham, Matt Daley and Eric Stults combined for six shutout innings. Charlie Blackmon was 2-for-3 with two walks and a run scored and an RBI. Jeff Salazar was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. The Sky Sox had 12 hits, but only one extra-base hit, a double from Josh Fields.
Double-A Tulsa (L, 9-8 vs. Corpus Christi, box)
Tim Wheeler continued his hot start to the season, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Wheeler is hitting .500 (5-for-10) with three extra base hits and four RBI in his first three games. Scott Beerer hit his first home run and drove in two. Hector Gomez and Ben Paulsen had back-to-back RBI doubles in the second inning. Starting pitcher Cory Riordan allowed seven runs (four earned) in 3 2/3 innings.
High Class-A Modesto (L, 11-5 vs. Stockton, box)
Tyler Matzek struck out four batters in the first inning after catcher Jose Gonzalez was charged with a passed ball on what should have been the final out of the inning. Matzek also walked one in the first and struggled in the next two innings, allowed six runs on five hits and walking three more batters before his night was done after the third inning. Mike Zuanich stayed hot, going 3-for-3 with a home run, two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI. In three games, Zuanich is hitting .800 (8-for-10) with three doubles and two home runs. Kent Matthes was 2-for-4 with a double.
Low Class-A Asheville (postponed, rain)
Bummer to see all the teams lose but I don’t really think it’s about wins and losses in the minors. The greatest thing about baseball is the optimism that prospects bring to your future. I love it.
Mike Zuanich’s is a name that I hadn’t noticed before this year. He seems to have hit well in the minors over the last couple of years. I know he’s a little old for high A (almost 25), but is he projected to be able to be a major leaguer one day?
Zuanich hasn’t really been on the radar as a future major-leaguer, but he’s worth watching if he keeps hitting. A 28th-round pick in 2008, he’s now 24 and back in the California League for a second season.