by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
June 19, 2022
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS (AAA)
Record: 37-28
Team OPS: .788 / Team ERA: 5.47
LHP Jared Koenig was the top-performing pitcher in the A’s minor league system prior to his promotion to Oakland. After having a solid season for Midland in 2021, the 28-year-old posted a 2.21 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP while striking out 61 batters in 53 innings for the Aviators. RHP Adrian Martinez, acquired from the Padres in the offseason, has also been putting up good strikeout numbers for Las Vegas, notching 60 Ks over 54 innings of work. Thanks to good command and a solid changeup, RHP Jack Cushing, a former 22nd-round draft pick, was having one of the best seasons of any pitcher in the system before his promotion to Triple-A from Double-A Midland, where he’d compiled a 3.19 ERA in 10 starts for the RockHounds. In his first start for Las Vegas, the 25-year-old allowed 5 runs on 7 hits, including 2 home runs, in just 2 innings of work for the Aviators. In the bullpen, LHP Sam Selman has been lights out, allowing just 4 runs and striking out 21 in 17 innings while securing 3 saves for Las Vegas. 28-year-old Cuban RHP Norge Ruiz has been surprisingly effective, posting a 2.75 ERA while notching 19 strikeouts in 19 2/3 frames. And RHP Garrett Acton, who was signed as an undrafted amateur, has continued to look strong at Las Vegas after his promotion from Midland. A plus fastball has allowed the 24-year-old to register an average of 14K/9 in 29 2/3 innings of relief for the RockHounds and Aviators.
MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS (AA)
Record: 29-34
Team OPS: .796 / Team ERA: 5.50
Midland recently lost its top starter when RHP Jack Cushing was promoted to Las Vegas. But RHP Jeff Criswell, the A’s 2nd-round draft pick in 2020, looks to be an effective replacement for Cushing in the RockHounds rotation. The 23-year-old, who notched 58 strikeouts in 50 innings while posting an ERA of 3.78 for High-A Lansing, allowed just 1 run in 6 innings of work in his Double-A debut for Midland. LHP Hogan Harris, a former 3rd-round pick who’s returning from a long layover due to injury, has continued to look good after his recent promotion from Lansing. The 25-year-old has allowed just 2 earned runs and struck out 24 in just 16 2/3 innings for the Lugnuts and RockHounds. LHP David Leal was one of the best pitchers in the system before his promotion to Midland from Lansing, where he’d posted a 2.08 ERA for the Lugnuts. The 25-year-old has put up a 5.21 ERA over his first 7 starts for the RockHounds, but his control has remained solid, allowing just 8 walks against 59 strikeouts through 59 2/3 innings at both stops. RHP Garrett Acton registered 6 saves for the RockHounds before his promotion to Las Vegas, but a few other strong arms have emerged in the Midland bullpen. RHP Zack Plunkett, who was recently signed as a minor league free agent after being released by the Dodgers organization, has allowed just 2 runs in 11 2/3 innings of work, while LHP Austin Briggs has compiled an ERA of 3.19 through 13 appearances, and RHP Chase Cohen has recorded 34 strikeouts in 28 innings of work for the RockHounds.
LANSING LUGNUTS (A+)
Record: 24-39
Team OPS: .696 / Team ERA: 5.33
LHP David Leal and RHP Jeff Criswell were Lansing’s top two starters prior to their promotion to Double-A Midland. But RHP Grant Holman, last year’s 6th-round draft pick for the A’s, was also performing well for the Lugnuts. The 22-year-old out of Cal compiled a 3.43 ERA while striking out 21 and walking just 3 in 21 innings before landing on the injured list in mid-May. Fortunately for the Lugnuts, one of the system’s top pitchers this season landed on their roster late last month. RHP Blake Beers, who was the A’s 19th-round draft pick last year, notched 51 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings for Stockton before landing in Lansing, where he’s allowed just 3 earned runs in 25 frames while tallying 26 Ks thanks to a wipeout slider. Meanwhile, a couple of solid arms have been holding things down in the Lansing bullpen this season. LHP Kumar Nambiar has K’d 37 in 33 innings while posting an ERA on 2.73, and RHP Trayson Kubo has secured 5 saves while putting up a 3.80 ERA for the Lugnuts.
STOCKTON PORTS (A)
Record: 25-38
Team OPS: .693 / Team ERA: 5.42
RHP Blake Beers was Stockton’s top starter before his promotion to High-A Lansing late last month. With his departure, last year’s 12th-round draft pick, RHP Mitch Myers, is the Ports’ top-performing starting pitcher. The 23-year-old has put up a 3.98 ERA while issuing just 15 walks in 61 innings of work for the Ports. Last year’s 15th-round pick, RHP Luke Anderson, has impressed at times, notching 59 strikeouts in 49 1/3 frames, a rate of 10.8 K/9, but he’s also issued 38 walks. Meanwhile, a couple of arms have been real standouts in the Stockton bullpen this season. LHP Jack Owen, who was signed as an undrafted amateur, has posted a 3.41 ERA and averaged 11.7 K/9 through 37 innings, while Hawaiian RHP Hunter Breault, last year’s 20th-round pick, has compiled a 3.67 ERA and secured 8 saves for Stockton.
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