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All-Star voting begins: The fan experience in minor league baseball is constantly improving, and that includes the AAA All-Star Game. For the 7th year, fans will be able to vote to select starters to the International and Pacific Coast League rosters. Fan vote will account for 1/3 of the final results along with the coach and media vote. The game will be played on July 11th in Buffalo and broadcasted on MLB Network. At least two other leagues offer voting to fans, particularly the Eastern League and South Atlantic League. Those leagues will also add their own unique twists to the home run derby preceding the game.
Brown homers in 5th straight: Corey Brown was once one of Oakland’s top 10 prospects, but he hit a wall in AAA and his development stagnated. Two offseasons ago, he was sent to Washington as part of the deal for Josh Willingham, and his AAA struggles continued until an inexplicable breakout season so far in 2012. Friday, he homered for the 5th consecutive game, setting a Syracuse franchise record. That gives him 12 on the year, just two behind last season’s total for Syracuse. His plate approach has improved, and he’s making better contact. With injuries piling up in Washington, Brown could soon be getting a chance to reach the majors on a permanent basis.
Paxton hurt? James Paxton struggled early against Montgomery Friday, and he left the game in the third inning in apparent discomfort. This was also reported by Jackson broadcaster Chris Harris on Twitter. Paxton allowed four runs in 2.2 innings on four hits and five walks, striking out only one. In the past, Paxton has had minor elbow and back injuries, but his health was not expected to be a concern at that time. Hopefully for Seattle, it’s just a precaution and nothing is seriously wrong with the top 100 prospect.
Matzek conquers High Desert: While a line graph charting Tyler Matzek‘s game scores probably resembles an uncomfortable roller coaster, he certainly hit a high point Friday, pitching one of the best games of his career in the most unlikely venue. He threw seven scoreless innings in Modesto’s 4-0 shutout of High Desert at High Desert, one of the toughest parks to pitch in at any level. He struck out seven and only allowed three hits, and most importantly, only walked two. While his BB/9 is probably still twice what it should be, it’s his second start in a row with seven strikeouts and only two walks.
Bradley hit hard in return from DL: Brewers first rounder Jed Bradley left his last start with a groin injury, and had a brief stint on the DL before returning Friday night at Dunedin, and it did not go well. After dancing around trouble in the first inning, Bradley was tagged for three runs in the second, mostly due to a pair of doubles. In total, Bradley allowed five runs, four earned in 4.2 innings on 12 hits while only striking out two. After not allowing any earned runs in his first three outings this year, he’s allowed at least two in every game since.
Portillo outpitches Bradley, but Fort Wayne falls: The Padres have been waiting for years for Adys Portillo to harness his stuff and become the pitcher they expected they were getting when they gave him a $2 million signing bonus, and it looks like it’s happening. Portillo threw six scoreless innings in Fort Wayne’s 4-3 loss to South Bend, his 5th start of the year not allowing any runs. He’s striking out nearly a batter per inning, but more importantly he has shown improved command thanks to better mechanics. He’s repeating the level, but he still won’t turn 21 until the end of the season. Archie Bradley‘s mini-slump continued, allowing three runs in five innings, but overall he’s still having a very good season.
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Top Hitters | Aff. | H/AB | R | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB |
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Audy Ciriaco | TOL | 2/4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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Brad Glenn | NH | 2/2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Brad Snyder | OKC | 3/5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
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Brett Carroll | SYR | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Casper Wells | TAC | 3/4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Dan Black | WS | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Greg Golson | CHA | 3/3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Jake Skole | MB | 4/4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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John Whittleman | NWA | 2/4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Jonathan Singleton | CC | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Kevan Smith | KAN | 4/6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Pedro Guerrero | GL | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Ross Wilson | KAN | 3/5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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Stefan Gartrell | GWI | 3/4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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Travis d'Arnaud | LV | 3/5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Zachary Johnson | LEX | 3/4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Top Pitchers | Aff. | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
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Adys Portillo | FW | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
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Austin Kirk | DTA | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
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Casey Lawrence | DUN | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
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Daniel Winkler | ASH | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
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Jacob Brown | STO | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
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Jake Thompson | MON | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
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Jay Jackson | IOW | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
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Joe Kelly | MEM | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
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Joel Carreno | BIN | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
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Justin Collop | WS | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
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Kylin Turnbull | HAG | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
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Nick Schmidt | TUL | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
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Scott Gorgen | SPR | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
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Tyler Matzek | MOD | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
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Vin Mazzaro | OMA | 6.2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
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Wade LeBlanc | NO | 9 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
On tap today
Daisuke Matsuzaka returns to the mound for Pawtucket
Brett Cecil makes first start since no-hitter
Barret Loux looks to improve to 10-0
McNutt meets Skaggs in top SL matchup
Hagerstown and Lakewood play another doubleheader
If you know of a player performance or article that should be shared, please let me know on Twitter at @5runrally!
