How bright is the future for the 19-year-old infielder?
Greenville is really the Franklin Arias show. The potential for a meteoric rise akin to Kristian Campbell, who himself rose from Greenville to Fenway in twelve months, really shouldn’t be expected, since Campbell played college ball. But we also can’t overlook that Arias is absolutely tearing the cover off the ball and plays a position of interest in shortstop. (And lately, I wouldn’t be necessarily be looking to replicate Campbell’s type of performance, anyway.) Arias hitting over .400 in the past month cannot be denied. Let’s get into Friday’s action.
Worcester: L, 1-3 (BOX SCORE)
Nearly every WooSox batter recorded at least one hit, and Yasmani Grandal had three of them, including Worcester’s only run batted in. Cooper Criswell had a fine start, too, striking out six in five scoreless while allowing just two hits and walking two. Sadly, Alex Hoppe just let his inning get away from him, letting the game slip away after probably the best Luis Guerrero or Zack Kelly has looked this season, too. But I wouldn’t put it all on Hoppe: the team stranded eleven and couldn’t carve up Anthony DeSciafani and the RailRiders (Yankees AAA) the way they would’ve liked despite grabbing six hits in four innings.
Portland: PPD in 5th, Make Up Today (BOX SCORE)
This one succumbed to the Altoona (Pirates AA) rain, Portland’s seventh rain out in May. The game will be picked up this afternoon, and it’s looking pretty good for Portland; they’re up 3-1 behind another commanding Connelly Early performance, as he struck out eight in 4 2⁄3 frames. This is the most convinced I’ve been that a lefty would be good coming out of the Red Sox farm system since Jon Lester, and I’m not exaggerating. It’s a shame he won’t be coming back out today.
Greenville, Game 1: W, 6-4 (BOX SCORE)
Franklin Arias now has a ten-game hitting streak as the Drive teed off on Blue Claws (Phillies High-A) pitcher Estibenzon Jimenez, who took the complete game loss. Salem hit three home runs, two by catcher Hudson White, who went 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs.
Greenville, Game 2: W, 6-1 (BOX SCORE)
Do I hear eleven straight games for Arias? I do! Greenville captures its fourth consecutive win against Jersey Shore thanks to a quick start offensively, scoring five runs in the first thanks to doubles by Nazzan Zanetello and Brooks Brannon. Michael Sansone took this one six of the seven innings, striking out six and letting just one run pass, putting the Drive in a great situation to sweep the day. The Drive now crawl to one game under .500 (24-25) by putting six on the board in each abbreviated contest on Friday.
Salem: L, 7-8 (BOX SCORE)
Sadly, Salem got burned by six Mudcats (Brewers A) runs in the seventh inning alone, turning an 5-2 lead into a 8-5 hole quickly. Freili Encarnacion did get his tenth home run of the season to get this game close, but Salem couldn’t pull it out. Encarnacion also drove a run in earlier in the game with a double.
Have a happy Saturday!