7/19 Gameday Thread: Kopech’s revenge & Darwinzon en fuego

Until his last start, when he absolutely shoved (6.0-4-1-1-1-11), walks had once again reared their ugly head on Kopech. In his last 12 starts before the break, he walked 47 guys in 55.1 innings (note also the IP/GS). Of course, he also struck out 76. In his first five, he'd looked like he might be in the majors by midseason (27.0-21-9-8-9-35).

Castillo is back for Pawtucket and Charlie Madden is back for Greenville. Lucena to the DL for Madden, unknown for Rusney move

Darwinzon threw five innings, prob could have gone more tonight (77 pitches thrown/51 strikes). Five hits, one walk, seven K, and one ER. He topped out at 97 on pitch #42. Curveball was just unfair, with no Buies Creek hitter even making contact with it if my memory is accurate. Slider also sharp. His scoreless streak was snapped at 17.1 IP, longest by any Salem pitcher this year. July ERA of 0.42 through 21.2 IP, with 30 K and 10 BB. Strong CL Pitcher of the Month campaign here.

Enmanuel DeJesus came four outs away from a complete game no hitter. Left with two outs in the eighth, but didn’t end up letting up a single hit. One unearned run on a HBP, WP, and two errors all in the eighth inning. Game of the kid’s life. Left with 96 pitches. Personally I wouldn’t have given him the chance to finish out the no hitter. Especially with a four run lead.

NO-NO! Congrats to Greenville; we got one strike away earlier this year, and it would've been my first one called. Great moment for that franchise.

Dalbec is a very exciting player

Oh come on!! Duran with his 9th triple tonight!....in a MONTH!

With as brutal as this minor league season has been, Dalbec is currently making it more tolerable all by himself.  Would be great if he turned into a serviceable major leaguer.

He’s making a legitimate run at a 1.000 OPS. He stays hot and boosts his BA to .280, and he might just do it. He’s old for high A but he’s had some injuries so I’m not too down on that. You’re right that he’s been a major bright spot with the improvements despite the level jump. He looks a pretty solid bet for 30 HR/30 2b and an IsoD over .100. He’s certainly at least giving the impression that he could be a first-division starter. Not bad for a 4th-rounder. Cut that K rate to 25% and hit .260 and he’s a potential All-Star.

I’m hyped on Jarren Duran and Alex Montero too. Duran has been exactly as advertised scouting-wise, only better with the bat. He definitely could use some swing-plane work because he’s 50+/30 GB/FB. But his speed is incredible and he hits the gaps. What a get in the 7th round. And Montero is a great pop-up guy with projectable, above-average stuff. Beyond that, Mata has had his struggles but is still doing pretty well as very young for his level; Houck has turned his season around; Darwinzon has flashed terrific LH velocity and he’s also been better of late.

Beyond that, at least Chatham looks like he could still be a solid role-player, and Ockimey’s done fairly well in AA. I loved their draft and IFA approach. No big breakouts beyond Dalbec for a system that badly needs them, but at least some encouraging incremental progress. Silver linings and all...