High Heels On The Field

Mariners Top Four Showing Flashes Of Brilliance For The Jackson Generals

The Double-A Jackson Generals of the Southern League boast four of the top ranked prospects in baseball and they are already delivering on their promise.

Here are the results through April 30th.

 SS Nick Franklin - Franklin is currently hitting .296, 3rd on the team, with 8 walks. He's collected 9 RBI and made of his 24 hits, 6 are doubles. The 2009 27th round pick for the Mariners faced illness and a concussion last season, and his progress was disrupted for two months. 2012 gives him a chance to shine as the top offensive prospect that he is. The twenty-one-year old played 21 games for Jackson in 2011 and a full season at that level is important. However, if he continues to play that well a jump to Triple-A Tacoma. NOTE: Franklin began 2011 named an AFL All-Star and an MiLB Rising Star.

LHP Danny Hultzen - Hultzen has 26 innings under his belt (2nd to teammate Andrew Carraway)  and a 2.05 ERA in 5 starts. His 30 strikeouts is 7th in the league. The 23-year-old hasn't allowed more than five hits in any start this season. If he can cut down on the walks (12 so far), he will put himself in position for a quick progression through the system to the majors. NOTE: Was the Mariners first round selection in 2011 and made his professional debut later that year in the AFL.

RHP Taijuan Walker - There's been a few mixed results outings, but overall his 1.64 ERA leads all Jackson starters.  He's third in strikeouts to teammates Hultzen and James Paxton with 26. In his third year of pro-ball he needs to keep his composure and get out of jams. He's had more success without pesky runners on base and walked six. NOTE: Named Seattle's Organizational Pitcher of the Year for 2011.

RHP James Paxton - His 31 strikeouts leads all Jackson starters (5th in the league), but his 16 walks is also the highest on the team. He's third in hits for the Generals allowing 18 over 5 starts. On April 21'st he had his roughest outing yet, allowing 7 runs on 7 hits in 2 innings, bloating his ERA to a 23.41. But he bounced back earlier this week and lowered it to 3.09 going a season-high six innings, giving up just 1 run on 3 hits. Despite a few bumps, he was named league Pitcher of the Week on the 16th. NOTE: Chosen as an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star in 2011. Selected to participate in the Futures Game, also in 2011.

 

 

Eastern League Standout Stars: April

Position Players:

Jeff Kobernus, Harrisburg Senators, Washington Nationals  - The second baseman is hitting.340 in 23 games with 5 walks in 97 AB's and leading the league in hits with 33. He's struck out just 14 times. His impressive speed has resulted in a league-leading 18 stolen bases.

Jared Goedert, Akron Aeroes, Cleveland Indians -  In six of his last ten games he's collected 2 hits per contest. The third baseman has drawn 13 walks in 17 games and his .379 average leads all Aeros hitters.

Chris Rahl, Harrisburg - He leads the league in RBI with 18 and his 18 runs scored is tied for first with two others. He's second in stolen bases to teammate Kobernus with 8. His .589 SLG percentage is second in the league.

Darrin Ruf, Reading Phillies - The first baseman is third in hits with 29 and third in average, hitting .372 in 22 games. He has 15 hits in ten games, with a 5-hit night on April 15th. 

Rob Brantly, Erie Seawolves, Detroit Tigers - Third in RBI with 16,  and 9 of his 23 hits are doubles. He currently has a 7-game hitting streak going. 

 

Pitchers:

Daniel Rosenbaum, Harrisburg - The most impressive pitcher so far this season, his 0.94 ERA leads the league, as does his 3-0 record, innings pitched (28), and walks allowed (2), owed to his improved command and ability to throw strikes with both his off-speed stuff and his fastball.

Zack Wheeler, Binghamton Mets - The righty's 30 strikeouts leads the league and he hasn't surrendered a home run to anyone in 25 innings of work. He hasn't given up more than 5 hits over 5 starts, and 2-hit Erie on April 29th.

Trevor May, Reading - His 0.87 WHIP is second to Rosenbaum and he's third in strikeouts with 26. He leads the team with a 4-0 record and his 12 hits allowed are also lowest of all Reading pitchers this season.

Chris Heston, Richmond Flying Squirrels, SF Giants - The RHP's 1.13 ERA is second in the league. On April 7th he allowed one hit in 5 innings against New Britain. He struck out 7 on April 25th, allowing just one run on six hits. 

Luke French, New Britian Rock Cats, Minnesota Twins - He's pitched deep in games for the Rock Cats, tied with two others with 30 innings pitched. His 0.97 WHIP is 4th in the league. His 1.80 ERA is currently lowest overall of all Rock Cats pitchers.