Eye On: OF Scott Beerer - AA
Yesterday, I highlighted a hitter turned pitcher who has found success in his new position. Today, I'll do the opposite. When he was drafted eight years ago, Scott Beerer could have entered the minors prominently as a pitcher or hitter. The Rockies tried him at pitcher, and after struggling with control in A-ball, he left the game after four seasons. After taking 2007 and 2008 off, he came back to the Rockies, hoping to realize the MLB dream as an outfielder. He embarrassed nearly every pitcher he faced in 2009 in Tri City and Modesto, but he struggled to a .258/.295/.315 line in AA Tulsa last season. Coming into 2011 at age 28, Beerer needed to take significant steps this year or would likely be walking away from the game again. So far, so good. The right-handed hitter homered last night for the second straight game, singled and walked. Perhaps most important though, he threw out a runner at home to preserve a tie game in the seventh inning. For the season, he is now hitting .313/.333/.552 with four home runs. He isn't a "prospect" due to his age, but if you're looking for an atypical guy to root for, keep your eye on Beerer.
AAA Colorado Springs, L 3-4 (12-15, 3rd, 5.0 GB)
The top of the order once again led the Sky Sox offense, with Eric Young Jr. (2003, 30th round), #7 PuRP Charlie Blackmon (2008, 2nd round) and #5 PuRP Chris Nelson (2004, 1st round) each producing two singles and an RBI. The offense pounded out 11 hits, but every one of them was a single. Alan Johnson (2005, undrafted) took the loss after allowed three runs (two earned) in six solid innings after successfully passing through waivers. Edgmer Escalona (2004, VZ) pitched for the second time on the season after missing April with an injury, turning in a perfect inning. #12 PuRP Rex Brothers (2009, sandwich) retired all three Grizzlies he faced, two via punchout. Greg Reynolds (2006, 1st round) gets the call tonight at 6:05 MDT against the Grizzlies.
AA Tulsa, W 8-4 (15-9, 1st)
First inning doubles by #16 PuRP Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round) and #23 PurP Ben Paulsen (2009, 3rd round) , followed by a two run single from Darin Holcomb produced an early lead that the held until the seventh inning. With the score tied 3-3, Tulsa's offense jumped back into gear, scoring three in the bottom half of the seventh behind hits from Beerer, Mike Daniel 2011, FA) , Lars Davis (2007, 3rd round) and Wheeler. Cory Riordan (2007, 6th round) pitched well, as he seems to at OneOK Field, but he left in the seventh with the game tied. Stephen Dodson (2008, 10th round) recorded four outs for his fifth win of the season out of the bullpen.
High A Modesto W 7-6 (11) - (11-16, 6th, 6.0 GB)
The Nuts walked off on the High Desert Mavericks last night for their third consecutive victory, but it was a game of many twists and turns. Nicholas Schnaitmann (2008, 22nd round) managed to rebound from three consecutive 6+ ER outings to work into the fifth inning, allowing two runs to score. Unfortunately, the Nuts bats continued to be easy to crack early, as Nick Czyz took a his 9.49 ERA and twirled a no-hitter until the sixth inning. The High Desert lefty departed, and Modesto promptly turned a 4-0 deficit into a 5-4 lead in the seventh with five hits and a walk, including Joseph Sanders' (2009, 4th round) first extra base hit of the season (a double).
Modesto added a run in the eighth for a 6-4 lead, but closer Mike Marbry (2007, undrafted) couldn't hold it. High Desert singled twice and walked twice off the Nuts closer, and Coty Woods (2009, 33rd round) came into a bases loaded no outs situation. Woods threw a wild pitch to tie the game, but worked out of a bases loaded no outs situation without allowing the go ahead run to score. Woods would earn the victory with three scoreless innings when Kiel Roling (2008, 6th round) pelted a bases loaded single to left in the eleventh.
Low-A Asheville, Off Day - (14-12, 2nd, 1.0 GB)
The Tourists got a much needed off day after consecutive shellackings in Greenville. They return home to McCormick Field tonight to open a four game series against the Delmarva Shorebirds (Orioles). Josh Mueller (2010, 13th round) gets the call in the opener tonight at 5:05 MDT.