The last time we spoke, I mentioned Bobby Dalbec had a bit of a strikeout problem. I also said he went 1-for-2 with two walks and zero strikeouts in his last game before the article. That broke an eight-game stretch of at least one strikeout for the third baseman.
He’s built off that wonderfully. Counting that 1-for-2 game, Dalbec is in the midst of a six-game stretch that’s seen him strike out a grand total of two times.
He’s not just not striking out either. Dalbec has risen his average from .204 to .216 in that time. He’s also hit two more doubles and two more home runs while driving in nine more runs and scoring three more as well. The 22-year-old has also walked five times and stolen one base.
His numbers are quickly looking fantastic. He holds a not great .216 average, but the improvements are obvious. He also has 13 doubles and 11 home runs to go with a superb 38 RBI and 27 runs scored, even going 2-for-2 on stolen base attempts.
The right-handed hitter deserves much more attention in the media.
C.J. Chatham is nuts. There’s a chance he flies through the minors at breakneck speed with the way he’s playing. I mean, he clearly can’t stay in Advanced-A much longer. After killing it in Full-A, he’s looked even better for the Salem Red Sox.
Chatham is hitting .345 in 21 Advanced-A games. He has two home runs and 15 RBI in just 84 at-bats. Currently on an eight-game hitting streak, it seems like he’s only now hitting his stride, and that’s like Michael Myers Halloween level-scary for any pitcher that has to face him.
Santiago Espinal briefly dipped under .300. He clearly didn’t like that as a four-game hitting-streak has brought the shortstop back up to .309. The 23-year-old has 18 extra-base hits and 25 RBI this season to go along with 36 runs scored and five steals. Somethings got to give between him and Chatham. No reason having both of them in Advanced-A. I fully expect one of the two (or both) in Double-A by the middle of the month.
I’ll say it again – Brett Netzer may not have much power, but he’s the definition of a professional hitter. The second baseman has a .295 average on the season to go along with 23 RBI. He only has one home run (and one triple) on the year, but his 11 doubles and timely hitting more than make up for that.
Roldani Baldwin is the total package at catcher. He has power (six home runs) and enough speed (two steals) to be extremely dangerous. His .250 average at the moment isn’t spectacular, but he’s still getting used to Advanced-A.
Bryan Mata is 19 and an outing that consists of 5 1/3 innings and three earned runs is considered bad. That’s special. The right-handed pitcher has a 3.75 ERA on the season. His 30 walks in 36 innings is a problem, but opponents are hitting just .221 against him. That, combined with his ERA, shows he can work out of jams and has the stuff to get anyone out.
Daniel Gonzalez hasn’t had the same issues when it comes to walks. In 39 1/3 innings this season, the 22-year-old has issued only nine base-on-balls. That’s one of the main reasons the right-hander holds a 6-0 record and a 2.97 ERA.
Roniel Raudes has faced some adversity this season as well. For him, it’s his batting average against. Opponents are hitting .286 against the 20-year-old. The right-hander still holds a solid 3.96 ERA over 50 innings though. One of the main reasons for that is his ability to limit the damage – only allowing two home runs on the season to this point.