Dwight Childs, C-CAR: 3-4, 2B, 4 RBI, R, K.
Childs is more of a defensive specialist than an offensive force, but you wouldn't have known that from yesterday's performance. Childs drove in four runs in a 9-5 Mudcat victory, including a two-run double in the bottom of the 5th to put the game out of reach for good. Childs was an 18th round pick in 2009 after a big senior season at the University of Arizona, and fractured a bone in his hand while playing with the Columbus Clippers last season. Back and healthy now, Childs is hitting just .168/.215/.257 overall, with a pair of HR in 34 games for the Mudcats. As I mentioned earlier though, Childs real contributions lie on the defensive side of the game, and one only needs to look back to last week to see just how much of a difference he can make. On August 8, the Salem Red Sox stole eight(!) bases against the Mudcats in a one-run victory. I don't think it's hyperbole to say those stolen bases were the difference between winning and losing. The next day, August 9, Childs started behind the dish and threw out both Red Sox would-be basestealers in a victory. A quality defensive catcher can make all the difference, and Childs most certinally is that. He's not going to be gracing anyone's top-100 prospect lists this offseason, but that doesn't mean he's not a useful part of the organization.
J.D. Reichenbach, RP-CAR: W (5-5), 2 2/3 IP, 2 K. Reichenbach with back-to-back scoreless outings, both of which resulted in him earning victories for the Mudcats. He's 5-5 with a 5.02 ERA this season, and has recorded 37 K and issued 25 BB in Carolina League IP.
Fabio Martinez, RP-CAR: IP, K, BB. Much better appearance for Martinez in his 2nd outing with the Mudcats, as he worked around a two-out walk to work a clean inning of relief.
Ronny Rodriguez, SS-CAR: 3-4, HR (15), 2B, RBI, 3 R. Rodriguez is up to .286/.306/.446 with 15 HR, 17 doubles and 57 RBI this season. He's greatly improved at SS, where his strong arm is a weapon, and remember, this is his first full season of stateside baseball.
Tyler Cannon, 1B-CAR: 2-3, 2B, BB, 3 R. Cannon has snapped out of a 1-22 slump with a nice little 5-13 run here in his last four games. His season line stands at .250/.298/.353 in 68 games for the Mudcats.
Todd Hankins, DH-CAR: 1-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, BB, R, 2 K. Hankins has matched his Midwest League HR total in 7 games with the Mudcats. He played in 78 games for the Captains and hit two HR, but the Hammer has already pounded out a pair in just 25 AB for Carolina.
Eric Haase, C-AZL: 3-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, K.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love me some Eric Haase. He's fighting with several players for at bats behind the plate and at DH in the Arizona Summer League, but despite somewhat inconsistent playing time, Haase is hitting .308/.337/.538 with 2 HR, 8 doubles and a pair of triples in 21 AZL games. Haase is a rarity, a potential 5-tool player behind the plate who could impact both sides of the game with his bat and his arm. He's got great intangibles and really does a nice job taking charge of the diamond from behind the dish. He's got impressive opposite field power, and he runs well. He doesn't just run well for a catcher, he has legit 50 speed. That might not last after several years of crouching behind the plate, but for now at least he's an above-average runner. He's got a long ways to go before he's knocking on the door at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario, but all of the tools are there. It's going to be a lot of fun watching this kid come up through the system.
Luis Lugo, SP-AZL: W (2-3), 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, 7 K, 2 BB. Lugo is just 18 years old, and has now recorded an impressive 39 K in 32 2/3 IP in the AZL.
Felix Sterling, RP-AZL: S (1), 4 IP, 2 H, 7 K, BB. Dominant outing for Sterling out of the bullpen, who hs now 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 2/3 innings in the complex leagues. Sterling had posted a 6.07 ERA in 98 innings with the Captains, so hopefully the developmental staff in Arizona can straighten out whatever's ailing the promising young righthander. He's struck out 19 and walked just 3 in Arizona, so hopefully that's a sign that he's starting to turn it around.
Dorssys Paulino, SS-AZL: 4-5, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB. After a 1-11 mini-slump over his last two games, Paulino got back into the swing of things with a four-hit night last night for the AZL Indians. He's now stolen 6 bases in 7 attempts to boot, and just has to work on his defense before he starts climbing up the organizational ladder.
Anthony Santander, LF-AZL: 1-3, 3B, RBI, R. Santander is hitting .432/.425/.757 in his last 10 games, and will turn 18 this October. His approach needs refinement (31 K and 7 BB in 33 games), but as long as he's slugging over .500, he can afford to strike out a little.
Tyler Booth, RF-AZL: 3-5, 2 2B, 3 R, SB. Booth was a 13th round pick out of Central Arizona Junior College this past June, and signed for an even $100,000. He's hit in 9 of his last 10 games, and has an impressive .366/.409/.561 line in that timeframe.
Claudio Bautista, 2B-AZL: 2-4, 3B, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 R, K. Bautista is a 19-year old middle infielder out of the Dominican Republic who signed with the Indians last April. In 27 AZL games, he's hitting .326/.423/.543 with 4 HR, 2 triples and 4 doubles and has driven in 19 runs.