Written by Al Ciammiachella

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T.J. House, SP-CAR: W (1-0), 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 9 K, BB.

House is repeating the high-A Carolina League after a somewhat disappointing 2011, and if yesterday’s start is any indication, he’ll be ready for the Eastern League in no time. House lost almost 30 lbs this offseason and is going back to his old ¾ arm slot after throwing more over the top in 2011, and was confident that the change would be for the better. Well, House allowed just three baserunners in 7 innings of work while striking out 9 last night for the Mudcats, so I’d say that so far, so good with the new delivery. House is a big bounceback candidate in the system this year, as the talent is there for him to be a solid middle of the rotation guy at the major league level. He’s still just 22, and will likely pitch in Akron before the season is over.

• Nick Hagadone, RP-COL: 2 IP, K, BB. Three straight scoreless innings to open the season for Hagadone, who could be replacing Dan Wheeler before the all-star break.
• Cord Phelps, 2B-COL: 2-4, 2B. Phelps was the only Clipper with more than one hit, and is hitting .316 on the young season.
• Gio Soto, SP-AKR: W (1-0), 5 IP, ER, 2 H, 6 K, 2 BB. After his 2011 was cut short by injury, the Indians still elected to start the 20-year old lefty at AA Akron. Early returns suggest he can handle the aggressive assignment.

 

• Bryan Price, RP-AKR: 2 IP, 4 K. Dominant outing for Price to close out the game for the Aeros. He’s thrown 4 innings for Akron this season, and now has 6 K and has allowed just one baserunner.
• Tim Fedroff, CF-AKR: 3-4, 2 RBI. Fedroff pushes his average to an even .500 (7-14) as he tries to convince the Indians he belongs back in Columbus.
• Thomas Neal, RF-AKR: 2-5, 2 R, K. Another OF who’s surprised to be in Akron, Neal was demoted after he was removed from the 40-man roster. At least he’s not sulking about it.
• Juan Diaz, SS-AKR: 2-4, RBI, BB, K. Diaz is hitting .357 for the Aeros so far this season, and has been playing solid defense at SS
• Nick Weglarz, LF-AKR: 0-4, BB, K. Still one of my favorite players, Wegz is off to a 0-14 start to the season. The good news is that he’s healthy the bad news is…well, he’s 0-14. He’s always been a slow starter, so I’m actually not overly concerned, but it would be nice for the big Canadian to get off the schnide sooner rather than later.

 

• Tyler Holt, CF-CAR: 1-4, 3B, RBI, BB, R, K. Holt’s average fell all the way to .529 after his 1-4 effort last night.
• Tony Wolters, SS-CAR: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI. Wolters picked up just his 2^nd hit of the season last night, but remember he’s just 19 years old playing in high-A right now.
• Jesus Aguilar, 1B-CAR: 2-4, 2B. BBJA is now hitting .412 on the young season, and is really showing a vastly improved hit tool from last year. If he can be even an average hitter with his plus power, we’re talking about a real prospect here.
• Jake Lowery, DH-CAR: 2-4, R, K. Lowery followed up his big Sunday with another pair of hits last night, and is up to .333 on the season including one of the only two Mudcats HR.
• Dwight Childs, C-CAR: 1-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, R, K. And here’s the guy with the other HR, catcher Dwight Childs. Nice to see that the Mudcats catchers are getting it done at the plate as well as behind it!
• LeVon Washington, LF-LCC: 3-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 R. WASHTIME carrying over his outstanding spring to the regular season. After the slow start last year, great to see him hitting .400 out of the gate for the Captains.
• Francisco Lindor, SS-LCC: 2-5, 3B, RBI, R. I love this kid. Remember, he’s going to play the entire 2012 season as an 18-year old. Already hitting .333, and his first career triple last night.
• Luigi Rodriguez, RF-LCC: 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI, R. Rodriguez, hitting third for the Captains last night, playing like a middle of the order run producer with four runs driven in. Helps when the two guys in front of you (Wash and Lindy) are on base a combined 7 times.
• Alex Monsalve, C-LCC: 2-4, HR (1), 2B, RBI, R. Monsalve was off to a bit of a slow start, but the 2-4 outing brings his avg up to .214.
• Bryson Myles, CF-LCC: 1-5, R, SB, K. First of many stolen bases in the Midwest League for Myles. I love that all three of the Captains OF can play CF on any given night.