Full-A (Greenville Drive)
Triston Casas is currently sitting at a .270 average. With that, the 19-year-old has 16 doubles, two triples, and 12 home runs. He’s driven in an organization-high 53 runs and scored 36 more. Casas is quickly becoming the ABs you don’t want to miss.
Brandon Howlett is showing a ton of growth lately. The 19-year-old is up to .250 with 11 doubles and three home runs. He’s scored 22 runs and driven in 19 more, stealing one base. Most importantly are the walks and strikeouts though. The righty has 78 strikeouts compared to just 28 walks.
However, in his last 10 games, Howlett has drawn nine walks and struck out 12 times. That’s a major step in the right direction and something you love to see midseason.
Kole Cottam is up to .250 and now has 10 doubles and three home runs on the year. The catcher has 17 RBI and 21 runs scored and has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
Alan Marrero is also at .250 with 13 extra base hits. This catcher has eight doubles paired with five home runs though. Marrero also has 15 RBI and 13 runs scored, as the two continue to split time.
Devlin Granberg is currently on an eight-game hitting streak and has a .290 average. The first baseman has 14 doubles, four triples, and five home runs and has 25 RBI and 37 runs scored to add.
Tyler Esplin really is having a strong season despite the .236 average (.303 OBP). He’s tied a career-high in steals with five and is closing in on new bests in triples (2) and homers (2). Meanwhile, the 19-year-old has already destroyed his career-best in doubles with 19 and runs with 32. His 21 RBI are just three away from his career-mark set last year.
All good things must come to an end. Thad Ward‘s streak is over after giving up two earned runs in four innings in his last start. The 22-year-old now has a ridiculous 1.99 ERA on the year. He’s struck out 87 batters in 72 1/3 innings and has a .194 BAA and 1.05 WHIP.
Two great starts in a row have lowered Alex Schreff’s ERA. The 21-year-old is now down to a 4.35 over 62 innings in Full-A. Schreff’s season continues to lean much more on the positive side than anything.
Yoan Aybar was absolutely dominant in his last outing. The 21-year-old reliever struck out four batters in two perfect innings. Although the lefty has a 5.54 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, his 32 strikeouts in 26 innings and .140 BAA drown out the negatives.
Chase Shugart has made four starts for Greenville this year. In that time, the righty has a 1.64 ERA in 22 innings. Opponents are hitting just .207 against the 22-year-old, who’s posted a 0.95 WHIP and 20 strikeouts so far.