The five teams that played across the organization totaled for just eight runs, including Boston’s three.
Good morning! Yesterday was graduation day for me as I now have my Master’s Degree (I’m in my last semester, don’t tell anyone, shh!) and the ceremony ended hours before the rain. The Red Sox, of course, were not so lucky; nor were two of the five affiliates that had action Saturday. The bats also had some doom and gloom organization wide, save for outfielder Trayce Thompson’s home run. Let’s get into it!
Worcester: L, 2-7 (BOX SCORE)
Ultimately, home runs were Worcester’s worst enemy Saturday against the Mud Hens (Tigers AAA) as Brian Van Belle gave up three of them and Jose De Leon, a recently activated reliever with some Major League experience scattered across the last nine years, gave up another. Plus, Jamie Cellucci has been promoted from Portland and had the best relief appearance of his short Triple-A tenure thus far. Nearly every WooSox batter collected a hit, including Trayce Thompson with multiple featuring his early home run, but the WooSox fared the same as the Boston squad with failing to bring them across the plate.
I also want to use this opportunity to note that while I am all for giving Abraham Toro some Major League playing time as he is more seasoned at first base, Grissom, who’s also had some playing time at first, has been sort of raking to begin 2025 and seems to be playing with a different vigor than in 2024. It could be worth it to bring him up for another look soon.
Portland, Game 1: L, 0-1 (BOX SCORE)
In this abbreviated seven-inning contest against the Fisher Cats (Blue Jays AA) in Manchester, New Hampshire, Tyler Uberstine pitched the vast majority of the way, and he looked really good, striking out six and giving up four hits. Unfortunately, Abhram Liendo, Karson Simas and Blaze Jordan were the only baserunners for the Sea Dogs on the day when Portland couldn’t even eek out a walk, and no one advanced past first in a boring day for the Sea Dogs’ offense, so Uberstine took the decision loss despite a pretty pristine showing that may have earned him the W most days.
Portland, Game 2: PPD/Rain, Make Up Today
Greenville: L, 0-6 (BOX SCORE)
Greenville also mustered just three hits on the night against Asheville (Astros High-A) although they at least got a runner to second base. The Drive actually had pretty good strikeout control in this one, getting sat down just six times while ten or more has become about a norm for them. Franklin Arias, who it’s worth noting is DH’ing as Nazzan Zanetello is developing defensively at shortstop, is struggling thus far facing a new level of pitching, but I say give him some more time.
Salem: PPD/Rain, Make Up 5/18
Before we depart, I want to just note that it will not hardly be an every day occurrence that we recap Florida Coast League action, but they began play yesterday with Conrad Cason’s two-inning start. He struck out five of the seven batters he faced, and looks to start in the infield on days he doesn’t pitch. The club eventually dropped the game, 3-4. If you want to see yesterday’s box score, look no further.
Have a happy – and dryer – Sunday!