by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
April 17, 2022
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS (AAA)
Record: 6-6
Team OPS: .722 / Team ERA: 4.37
Aviators pitchers have been surprisingly effective at limiting runs in the hitter-happy Pacific Coast League, allowing more than five runs only four times over the team’s first 12 games. RHPs Parker Dunshee and Brian Howard have led the starting staff, with each allowing just two earned runs over his first two starts. RHP Ryan Castellani notched three saves before being added to the A’s staff before the series in Toronto, while Sam Selman, Parker Markel and Norge Ruiz have failed to allow a run in a combined 14 innings out of the Las Vegas bullpen. The Aviators offense has averaged just 3.9 runs per game though. But catcher Shea Langeliers (.548 SLG) and shortstop Nick Allen (.396 OBP) have performed well at the plate, as have outfielder Luis Barrera (.400 OBP) and Vince Fernandez (.667 SLG) in limited action. Catcher Christian Bethancourt (.684 SLG) was also hitting well before his promotion prior to the Toronto series.
MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS (AA)
Record: 6-3
Team OPS: .917 / Team ERA: 5.63
The RockHounds have had the most productive offense in the 10-team Texas League. The squad leads the league in doubles (25), runs (66), batting average (.344), on-base percentage (.406) and slugging percentage (.511). Catcher Jonah Bride (1.281 OPS), third baseman Zack Gelof (.415 OBP) and shortstop Logan Davidson (.611 SLG) have led the attack, while catcher Kyle McCann (.474 AVG) and outfielders Michael Guldberg (.448 OBP), Devin Foyle (.640 SLG) and Chase Calabuig (1.338 OPS) have also contributed when in the lineup. Meanwhile, Midland’s pitching staff has been led by RHPs Colin Peluse (2.00 ERA in two starts) and Ryan Cusick, who threw five shutout innings in his first start. And LHPs Austin Briggs and Dalton Sawyer and RHPs Chase Cohen, Michael Danielak, Garrett Acton and Jack Weisenburger have all been effective out of the bullpen for the RockHounds.
LANSING LUGNUTS (A+)
Record: 3-6
Team OPS: .608 / Team ERA: 5.78
Lansing hitters have had a tough time getting on track this month, putting up a slugging percentage of just .295 through the team’s first nine games in the chilly Midwest League. Catcher Tyler Soderstrom and outfielders Brayan Buelvas, Austin Beck and Lawrence Butler have all struggled a bit in the early going. But outfielder Gabriel Maciel (1.124 OPS), acquired by the A’s in the minor league portion of the Rule-5 draft, and infielders Jack Winkler (.417 OBP) and Brett Harris (.375 OBP) have performed well thus far, as has outfielder Lazaro Armenteros (1.095 OPS) in just 12 at-bats. Lansing’s pitching staff has struggled at times, but RHP Angello Infante (2.25 ERA) and LHPs Kumar Nambiar (1.50 ERA) and David Leal (3.18 ERA) have been effective out of the bullpen for the Lugnuts.
STOCKTON PORTS (A)
Record: 4-5
Team OPS: .807 / Team ERA: 7.01
Ports pitchers have been knocked around a bit in the early going, allowing fewer than six runs in just three of the team’s first nine games. Opponents have already put up double digits against the Ports in four contests, and the staff’s 7.01 ERA is currently the worst in the California League. RHPs Clark Cota (16.62 ERA), Skylar Szynski (22.50 ERA) and Alexis Cedano (18.00 ERA) have been ineffective out of the bullpen, while RHP Tyler Baum was sent back to the A’s minor league complex in Arizona after issuing 12 walks in just 2 1/3 innings of work. But LHP Jack Owen has picked up a pair of saves while notching nine strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings of relief, and RHP Mitch Myers tossed six shutout innings in his first start for Stockton. The team’s offense has performed well though, and its lineup currently leads the league with 19 doubles in its first nine games. Last year’s top draft pick for the A’s, 19-year-old shortstop Max Muncy (.686 SLG), catcher CJ Rodriguez (.407 OBP), and outfielders Danny Bautista (1.202 OPS), Denzel Clarke (.615 SLG) and Kevin Richards (.391 OBP) have all performed well at the plate for the Ports.
Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm.