Baseball News

I had a conversation with Tom Moss during the DII World Series in Cary a couple of weeks ago talking about his son Benton and his trials and tribulations going on in minor league baseball.  Tom told me that Benton was on a 90 pitch pitch count whether it took seven innings or three innings they would pull him out of the game whenever pitch 90 came.  He also told me that the coaching staff is trying teach Benton another pitch to go with his repertoire and this new pitch was causing stress on his arm. At the time his record was 1-5 and the Royals have stopped with this new pitch and with less stress on his arm the last two outing Benton has pitched two times going seven innings each outing.  One was a one hit performance which is his best effort since turning pro last summer.

His overall record is 3-5 with 62.2 innings pitched.  He has 59 k's and walked 14 batters which is excellent control.  Hie ERA is down to 4.16 in 12 outings and 11 starts. He remains in Port Charlotte Florida in A ball.

Hobbs Johnson pitching in Buloxi Mississippi in AA ball has now made 14 appearances coming out of the bullpen.  His record is 1-0 pitching short relief.  Maybe a month ago his ERA was 7.77 but some effective outings lately he has reduce that to 4.57.  He has pitched 21.2 innings with 17 strikeouts.  His biggest problem for the left hander is he has walked 13 which is very high and Hobbs needs to do a better job putting men on base with a free ride.

Brian Goodwin continues to have his best season in pro baseball. He is hitting 305 with six home runs 13 doubles, one triple.  He leads the Syracuse Chiefs in RBI with 32.  As well as he is playing and as stacked as the Washington Nationals are it seems the only way Brian  will hit the Big Leagues will be somebody in the National's  outfield is going to have to get hurt.

Collin Cuthrell is struggling in Florence Kentucky.  His batting average is just over the Mendoza Line at 205. He  has 17 hits in 83 at bats. He has two homers three doubles and 12 RBI to date.

The last time we talked about Whit Merrifield he had just been called up to the Kansas City Royals.  He has now played in 17 games hitting 315 on 23 hits  in 73 at bats.  He has seven doubles and has stolen three out of four bases.  Once you get called up to the Bigs you need to impress your team right off the bat and Whit Merrifield with the start he has had may never return to the minors.

The Pirates of ECU the last team standing in the NCAA baseball tournament that call North Carolina home starts play in the Super Regional Friday night at 8pm against Texas Tech in Lubbock Texas.  It is a best of three series.  Game two will be Saturday afternoon at 3pm and if needed game three is 3pm Sunday.  There is good news that all three games can be seen either on ESPNU or 2.  Go Pirates.