Written by Al Ciammiachella

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Jesus Aguilar, 1B-CAR: 4-5, 2 B, 2 RBI, R, K.

Big, Bad, Jesus Aguilar is the most prodigious power prospect in the system, but was vulnerable to offspeed stuff away last year and struck out a little too much (126 to 46 BB). Well, it’s a small sample no doubt, but consider this a successful 2012 debut. Hitting cleanup for the Mudcats, Aguilar doubled and collected 3 singles, showing that he’s not just a one-dimensional power hitter. Aguilar is still just 21 years old, and really improved his defense over the offseason. He was working with Travis Fryman every morning before practice in Arizona, and has become a serviceable 1B. With his bat, serviceable is all his defense needs to be, and credit Aguilar for working hard on a weakness in his game.

• Kevin Slowey, SP-COL: W (1-0), 7 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 6 K. Well, I didn’t see that coming. Slowey was flat-out terrible in AZ, but after giving up a leadoff HR to start the game, Slowey threw 7 shutout innings while allowing just 2 more baserunners.
• Nick Hagadone, RP-COL: IP, H, K. Hagadone just missed the last spot in the Indians bullpen, but he’ll be up with the big club at some point this season.
• Jeremy Accardo, RP-COL: S (1), IP, R (0 ER), H, BB, 2 K. Accardo allowed a couple of baserunners, but came back with a pair of K’s to close out the 1-run victory for the Clippers.
• Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B-COL: 2-4, HR (1), RBI, R. Chiz popped a HR off of former Red Brett Tomko and his hitting .500 on the young season.
• Matt LaPorta, 1B-COL: 2-4, HR (1), 2B, RBI, R, 2 K. I’ve fallen for this before. Not this time, Matt LaPorta. Not this time.
• T.J. McFarland, SP-AKR: W (1-0), 5 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 K, 2 BB. Solid start for McFarland, who had a under the radar year for the Aeros last year. He should be in Columbus before too long.
• Bryce Stowell, RP-AKR: IP, 2 K. Dominant outing for the flamethrowing righty, who is healthy and back on the mound to start off the season.
• Preston Guilmet, RP-AKR: S (1), IP. Closing for the 3^rd straight season, Guilmet may struggle to miss bats at AA.
• Chun Chen, 1B-AKR: 1-2, 2 BB, K. Chen with one of the 5 Aeros hits, and was on base three times including a pair of walks.
• Juan Diaz, SS-AKR: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K. Diaz with the only extra base hit for Akron last night, and drove in both of the Aeros runs in a 2-1 victory.
• Clayton Cook, SP-CAR: W (1-0), 5 IP, ER, 2 H, 5 BB, 2 K. Cook scattered 5 walks over his 5 innings of work for the victory in the first ever Carolina Mudcats game as an Indians affiliate.
• Jose Flores, RP-CAR: IP, H, 3 K. Dominant outing for the reliever who gets his fastball consistently into the mid-90’s.
• Tyler Holt, CF-CAR: 3-4, 3 RBI, BB, R, 2 CS, K. Only bad news for Holt is that he was caught stealing 2B twice after singles.
• Tony Wolters, 2B-CAR: 1-5, R, 4 K. Tough Carolina League debut for the young Wolters, who skipped over the Midwest League entirely. Still managed a base knock and a run though.
• Jake Lowery, C-CAR: 1-5, RBI, R, K. Another player who skipped low-A and went straight to high-A, Lowery collected a hit in 5 trips and allowed 3 SB last night.
• Carlos Moncrief, RF-CAR: 0-1, 4 BB, 2 R, K. Moncrief’s big problem last season was his pitch recognition and selection. Looks like he worked on that this offseason with a 4 BB opener.
• Ronny Rodriguez, SS-CAR: 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R, 2 K. Full stat sheet for Rodriguez, who is one of the most exciting players in the system. He’s a top prospect in the system, and has the potential to be a top-100 guy in all of baseball.
• Elvis Araujo, SP-LCC: L (0-1), 4 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 7 K, BB. Araujo ended up with the loss, but had an outstanding start where he struck out almost 2 batters per inning. The young lefty gets his fastball consistently into the mid-90’s, and a healthy season from him will be big for the system.
• Francisco Lindor, SS-LCC: 1-5, 2 R, SB, 2 K. Lindor with his 1^st Midwest League hit, and another stolen base. He’s not a burner, but has above-average speed and is an excellent baserunner.
• Jordan Smith, RF-LCC: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI. Smith is playing 3B, RF, LF and DH for Lake County this year. Regardless of where he plays in the field, he’s going to hit.