Advanced-A (Salem Red Sox)
Bryan Mata is hilariously good. Even when he doesn’t have his best stuff in a game, he limits the offense. The 20-year-old allowed eight hits and three walks over six innings in his lone start this week. He still gave up just one earned run and struck out seven. Mata has a 1.75 ERA in 51 1/3 innings in Advanced-A. I really hope the Red Sox view him as untouchable.
Thad Ward had a much more “Thad Ward” type start in his second outing in Advanced-A. The righty went six innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks – striking out seven. This was a major improvement from his last turn when he walked seven in 4 1/3 innings. Ward now has a 1.74 ERA in 10 1/3 innings for Salem.
Enmanuel De Jesus is coming off two strong starts to lower his ERA and raise his K-rate. The left-handed pitcher threw seven innings without giving up an earned run two starts ago – striking out 10. Then he went out and allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings his next time around – striking out eight. De Jesus now has a 3.81 ERA on the year.
Marcus Wilson has a .345 average in Salem at the moment. The outfielder has been better than advertised really. He’s hitting for power (seven homers in 110 Advanced-A ABs) to go along with that contact. Meanwhile, he’s producing runs – driving in 28 and scoring 19 more in 34 games for Salem.
Victor Acosta is on a five-game hitting streak and it lowered his average – that’s how good he’s been. The outfielder has a .316 average on the season, hitting 14 doubles and one home run. He’s driven in 30 runs and scored 26 more – as the right-handed hitter is in striking distance of setting career-bests in both of those categories.
Ryan Fitzgerald is hitting .312 with a team-high 48 RBI on the year. The shortstop is no longer homerless as he blasted his first of the year this week. Not exactly a home run guy, he still hit eight last season – so we’ll see if he can add to the total in the coming weeks.
Pedro Castellanos has gotten his swing back. He’s on a 10-game hitting streak that’s risen his average from a .259 mark to .271. The first baseman has 43 RBI and 35 runs scored, as well as a surprising eight steals. So far he’s hit just one home run but has 17 doubles.