by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
April 26, 2022
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS (AAA)
Record: 9-10
Team OPS: .776 / Team ERA: 4.94
The Aviators lost infielder Nick Allen, utilityman Christian Lopes and outfielder Mickey McDonald when the trio was promoted to Oakland. Since their departures, Vimael Machin has slid over from third base and taken over at shortstop, with Marty Bechina filling in at the hot corner, and Vince Fernandez has taken over for McDonald in right field. Fernandez (.714 SLG) has collected 6 extra-base hits in 12 games this season, while Machin (.406 OBP) has been heating up a bit lately, but Bechina (.074 AVG) has struggled in the early going. Catcher Shea Langeliers (.593 SLG), acquired from Atlanta in the Matt Olson deal, leads the team with 5 home runs while also doing a solid job behind the plate. Center fielder Luis Barrera (1.028 OPS) leads the squad with 9 extra-base hits, and first baseman Dermis Garcia (.915 OPS), who got off to a slow start, has been on fire lately. LHPs Zach Logue and Sam Selman recently returned to Las Vegas after brief stints with Oakland. RHP Miguel Romero also returned to the Vegas bullpen after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers. Unfortunately, Romero (16.50 ERA) has struggled in 5 relief appearances this season. RHPs Brian Howard (3.00 ERA) and Collin Wiles (3.71 ERA) and LHP Jared Koenig (3.68 ERA) have looked good after taking their first few turns in the rotation. RHP James Kaprielian allowed 9 runs over 8 2/3 innings in a pair of rehab starts, while outfielder Ramon Laureano has gone 1 for 11 in his first 3 rehab games for the Aviators.
MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS (AA)
Record: 9-7
Team OPS: .868 / Team ERA: 6.16
Midland’s offense has continued to chug right along, averaging over 7 runs per game while also boasting the best batting average (.307) and on-base percentage (.388) in the 10-team Texas League. Catcher Jonah Bride (1.098 OPS), shortstop Logan Davidson (.569 SLG), third baseman Zack Gelof (.353 AVG), and outfielders Chase Calabuig (1.017 OPS), Max Schuemann (.984 OPS, 6 SB) and Devin Foyle (.448 OBP) have led the attack. Starting pitchers Colin Peluse (2.25 ERA) and J.T. Ginn (17 K/12.2 IP) have impressed in the early going, while RHPs Jack Weisenburger (0.00 ERA) and Chase Cohen (2.89 ERA) and LHPs Dalton Sawyer (2.84 ERA) and Austin Briggs (3.52 ERA) have looked strong out of the bullpen, but big RHP Wandisson Charles (27.00 ERA) has struggled through his first 4 relief appearances for the RockHounds.
LANSING LUGNUTS (A+)
Record: 5-11
Team OPS: .671 / Team ERA: 6.20
The Lugnuts have struggled a bit in the early going, but there have been a few positive developments of note in Lansing lately. A couple of former top A’s outfield prospects, 23-year-old Austin Beck and 22-year-old Lazaro Armenteros, have been performing well of late. Beck is boasting a .433 OBP and a 1.016 OPS in 8 games, while Armenteros is sporting a .708 SLG and a 1.078 OPS in 7 games. Beck has collected as many walks as strikeouts while Lazaro leads the Lugnuts with 3 home runs. Outfielders Gabriel Maciel (.457 OBP) and Jonny Butler (.842 OPS) and infielders Brett Harris (.415 OBP) and Joshwan Wright (.893 OPS) have also performed well in the Lansing lineup. Outfielders Lawrence Butler (.491 OPS) and Brayan Buelvas (.495 OPS) have continued to struggle in the early going. And despite slugging a pair of home runs in one game, catcher Tyler Soderstrom (.548 OPS) is still trying to get comfortable at the plate. LHP David Leal (2.30 ERA) and RHP Grant Holman (3.60 ERA) have been the team’s top starters, while RHPs Stevie Emanuels (8.53 ERA), Osvaldo Berrios (8.10 ERA) and Joey Estes (7.00) have yet to find their groove in the rotation, and oft-injured LHP Hogan Harris allowed 2 earned runs in 1 inning of work in his first start for an A’s affiliate since 2019. But RHP Angello Infante (2.57 ERA, 3 SV) has been solid out of the bullpen for the Lugnuts.
STOCKTON PORTS (A)
Record: 6-10
Team OPS: .711 / Team ERA: 5.45
After getting off to a hot start, 19-year-old shortstop Max Muncy is 1 for 23 over his last 6 games, but he’s still sporting an .860 OPS and leads the squad with 4 home runs and 13 walks through his first 16 games. Outfielders Denzel Clarke (.515 SLG, 9 SB), Danny Bautista (.412 OBP) and Kevin Richards (.800 OPS) have led the Stockton offense. But 19-year-old Dominican infielder Robert Puason (.464 OPS) who’s primarily been playing second base this season, has struggled in the early going. RHPs Mitch Myers (0.00 ERA, 12 IP/9 K), Blake Beers (2.70 ERA, 16.2 IP/16 K) and Luke Anderson (3.86 ERA, 9.1 IP/13 K) have anchored the Ports starting rotation. RHP Hunter Breault (1.42 ERA, 6.1 IP/9 K) and LHP Jack Owen (3.00 ERA, 9 IP/14 K) have notched a pair of saves apiece, while RHPs Aaron Cohn (2.70 ERA) and Yehizon Sanchez (3.24 ERA) have performed well coming out of the Ports bullpen. Meanwhile, catcher Shane McGuire, last year’s 9th-round draft pick for the A’s, landed on the IL after appearing in just 2 games for Stockton.
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Is Aiden McIntyre still in the organization?
Yes, he is. But he had arm surgery, so he’ll be out for a little while.
Do you think we’ll see Langaliers anytime soon? We need some help in this weak (barely professional) lineup.
It’s hard to say. As long as Murphy’s still in the mix, he may have to wait a bit.