by Jeffrey Pilch / A’s Farm Contributor
The Rockhounds had a rough May, registering an 11-18 record for the month.
And with the team not performing well, many players also struggled during the month, but there were some bright spots as well.
So let’s take a quick look at how some of the A’s top prospects at Midland (as ranked by MLB Pipeline) performed during the month of May…
Outfielder Greg Deichmann (#11)
After a middling month of April during which he slashed .247/.327/.382, the A’s 2017 second-round draft pick fell into a deep slide in May. His May slash line of .146/.239/.280 was dragged down after he finished the month by going 3 for 39 over his last 11 games for the RockHounds.
Pitcher Grant Holmes (#12)
One of the big questions for Midland coming into the season was whether or not Holmes, who missed most of last season with shoulder issues, could manage to stay healthy. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old was sidelined once again with a sore shoulder after his first three appearances before finally returning to action on May 22. And Holmes allowed 2 runs in 6 innings of relief after his return to the RockHounds.
Outfielder Luis Barrera (#13)
Barrera got off to a hot start in April but slumped in May after spending two-and-a-half weeks on the shelf due to a sore shoulder. Barrera never really managed to get back on track after returning to action on May 4, slashing .225/.266/.360 over 96 plate appearances for the month.
Shortstop Kevin Merrell (#17)
Merrell’s slash lines were nearly identical in April (.228/.287/.342) and May (.230/.284/.322). But on a positive note, he did manage to go 6 for 20 versus lefties in May after going 1 for 15 against southpaws in April.
Pitcher Parker Dunshee (#18)
Dunshee was fantastic in April, posting an ERA of 1.74 and a WHIP of 1.03 over 5 starts for the RockHounds. And after one more quality start for Midland in May, during in which he allowed 2 runs on just 4 hits while striking out 6 in 7 innings of work, Dunshee was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Pitcher Brian Howard (#21)
While many of Midland’s top prospects were struggling through much of the month, Howard backed up an outstanding April with an almost-as-good May. The 6-foot-9 righty compiled a 3.03 ERA while notching 3 wins and striking out 30 in 35 2/3 innings over 6 May starts. But what’s been most impressive is what a good job he’s done keeping the ball in the park over the first two months of the season. Howard has allowed just 3 home runs in 61 2/3 innings over his first 11 starts, including 3 outings in Amarillo, which has already earned a reputation as a real hitter’s park.
Catcher Jonah Heim (#29)
Heim turned in strong months in both April and May. He followed up a slash line of .298/.369/.439 in April by slashing .293/.375/.457 in May. And his solid production at the plate combined with his above-average work behind the plate make Heim a player worth keeping an eye on.
Outfielder Dairon Blanco (#30)
After compiling an impressive .333/.395/.536 slash line in April, Blanco turned in a much less flashy but still solid May by slashing .268/.321/.443 for Midland. He wasn’t nearly as successful at swiping bags during the month though, going 4 for 8 in stolen base attempts after swiping 9 in 10 attempts in April.
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