Cleveland Sports Forum

I wonder how far Nolan Jones and the other Freeman are from returning to the field?
We're not exactly desparate for middle infielder depth but could always use another solid bat to play anywhere
If Jones can play 1st base, and not strike out all the time, he could help.

looking into gamecasts so far today

Battenfield 3 innings, 1 run for Columbus

Only other team in action is prospect-thin Lynchburg

Syracuse Falls at Columbus in Series Finale, 4-3, on Sunday

April 17, 2022 -

COLUMBUS, OH - T

The Columbus Clippers completed a six-game sweep of the Syracuse Mets on Sunday afternoon, rallying from an early deficit to take the series final, 4-3, at Huntington Park. The Clippers scored a combined 50 runs in the week-long series.

Syracuse (1-10) roared out to a 1-0 lead on a sun-soaked Sunday, as Travis Blankenhorn pounded a solo home run with one out in the top of the first. The left-handed hitter had an excellent weekend at the plate. Blankenhorn smacked home runs in both Friday and Sunday's games.

Columbus (9-3) answered right back in the bottom of the first. The Clippers eliminated the early deficit, scoring twice in the frame to take a 2-1 lead. After Richie Palacios and Luke Maile singled early in the inning to put runners on first and third with one out, a pair of two-out singles later in the frame gave the home team the lead. First, Daniel Johnson grounded a single into right field to score Palacios and move Maile to second. Then the next batter, Will Benson, singled into center field. That drove in Maile and put Columbus right back in front, 2-1.

The Mets responded with a lone run in the fourth to knot the game back up at two. After a Daniel Palka single started the inning and a one-out walk by Khalil Lee moved Palka up to second base, the frame looked in jeopardy when Carlos Cortes popped out. However, Patrick Mazeika had other ideas, singling home Palka to tie the game, 2-2.

From there, Columbus got enough insurance to secure victory via lone runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The Clippers plated their run in the fifth unconventionally. Jose Fermin singled to start the inning, promptly swiping second base with nobody out. After an Ike Freeman strikeout, a throwing error by Syracuse pitcher Mike Montgomery on a pickoff attempt moved Fermin up to third base. That meant when the next batter ,Palacios, grounded out to second base, Fermin came home to score and give the Clippers the lead back, 3-2.

In the sixth, Columbus scored a bit more conventionally, as Maile lifted a solo home run over the right-field wall to give the Clippers a 4-2 lead that would hold up in the end. Maile's homer was the only extra-base hit that Columbus would have all day.

The game remained 4-2 into the top of the ninth inning when Syracuse mounted a late push. Mazeika singled to start the inning and moved to second when Nick Meyer walked. A Wyatt Young fielder's choice groundout then put Mazeika at third and Young at first with one out, followed by a Blankenhorn groundout to second base that scored Mazeika and advanced Young to second as the Mets cut the deficit to one, 4-3. The intrigue continued when Columbus relief pitcher Enyel De Los Santos balked, allowing Young to move to third base and ninety feet away from tying the game. However, De Los Santos bore down when it mattered most, striking out Mark Vientos swinging and ensuring a six-game series sweep for the Clippers.

Syracuse returns home on Tuesday night to begin a six-game series against the Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A Boston Red Sox) at NBT Bank Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.



Hillcats Earn Another Walk-Off Win

April 17, 2022

For the second time this week, the Hillcats come away with a walk-off victory over the Delmarva Shorebirds.

Victor Planchart was tonight's Hillcat Hero as he punched a line drive to the right field wall in the bottom of the tenth to give the Hillcats the 2-1 victory over Delmarva. Lynchburg improves to 3-6, while Delmarva drops to 4-3.

The game was a pitching duel throughout as Jake Miller went four solid innings, only allowing one run in the fourth on the Isaac Bellony double that scored Ryan Higgins from third. He would finish the day only allowing two hits and recording three strikeouts.

Miller's counterpart, Dan Hammer, went three innings of scoreless baseball. Although, he did walk five batters while only recording three strikeouts.

The Hillcats would tie the game up in the bottom of the fourth after Will Bartlett led off the inning with a triple. The next batter, Carson Tucker, would line a single over the second baseman to knot things up at one.

From then, the game would remain scoreless as Jack Leftwich and Davis Sharpe pitched just as well as they did on Tuesday. They would combine for six innings, three hits, and seven strikeouts.

With Jake Fox placed on second to start the inning, Victor Planchart would lead off the inning with a drive to the right field wall to score the game winning run. The Hillcats would split the series with Delmarva after the six-game set.

Lynchburg will be off tomorrow and then travel down to Carolina on Tuesday for a series with the Mudcats. First pitch is currently scheduled for 6:00 p.m.



Lake County did not play



Akron did not play



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Jake Miller went four solid innings, only allowing one run
Jack Leftwich and Davis Sharpe pitched just as well as they did on Tuesday. They would combine for six innings, three hits, and seven strikeouts.

all from last summer's draft
Miller round 20
Leftwich round 7
Sharpe round 13
all big right handers

Sunday lines for our top 40 prospects in action

CLE AAA #5 Gabriel Arias, SS 4 0 0 0 .278
CLE AAA #13 Richard Palacios, 2B 4 1 1 1 .286 [they call him a 2B but he's playing exclusively in the OF]
CLE LoA #17 Carson Tucker, SS 4 0 1 1 .100
CLE MAJ #24 Ernie Clement, 2B 4 0 1 0 .294 2B (1),
CLE LoA #32 Isaiah Greene, OF 2 0 1 0 .300 3 BB (7), 500 On Base Pct
CLE LoA #37 Luis Durango, OF 3 0 0 0 .111 CS (1),
CLE LoA #38 Yordys Valdes, SS 4 0 1 0 .235 2B (1),
CLE LoA #40 Jake Fox, SS 4 1 0 0 .207 BB (6), E (1),

CLE AAA #14 Peyton Battenfield, RHP 4.0 3 2 1 3 4 2.57
CLE MAJ #30 Konnor Pilkington, LHP 2.0 0 0 0 0 2 0.00 4 1 0 0 .207 BB (6), E (1),

Mondays are off days for all teams all season, I think; they were last year, when all series were 6 games Tuesday through Sunday. Haven't looked to see if they are scheduled like that this year again.

They did abandon the stupid league names, e.g.:

"AA Northeast"
"AA Southeast"
"AA Southwest"

and bring back the traditional names
Eastern League
Southern League
Texas League

The return of the Baseball America hot sheet for games of the past week. We have several pitchers [Espino, Allen, Williams] who could make the cut. Of course there are about 3000 players in action and about 1000 who were on the preseason prospect lists so are theoretically eligible for selection

Getting great press this spring:

7. Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians
Team: Double-A Akron (Eastern)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 2.08, 8.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 16 SO, 2 HR

The Scoop: After drawing glowing reviews during spring training, Espino has carried his dominance over to the regular season. The 6-foot-2 righthander opened the season with four innings, two runs allowed, no walks and nine strikeouts against Erie on April 9 and followed with 4.2 no-hit innings with seven strikeouts against Reading on April 16. Most notably, 11 of his 16 strikeouts came on his fastball, meaning he’s dominating without even relying on his best pitch—his slider.

Captains Leave Eight on Base, Drop Road Series Opener to Loons

an hour ago 4/19/22

MIDLAND, MI –

The Lake County Captains (4-6), had opportunities but could not capitalize against the Great Lakes Loons (3-7) losing 3-1, on a chilly Tuesday evening at Dow Diamond.

Tanner Bibee was the starter, making his first appearance on the road. The right-hander had a 1-2-3 first inning. Bibee also retired the first two batters in the second, but four straight Loons then reached with two outs. After a double, a chopper came back to the mound, Bibee couldn’t field it cleanly and threw it past the glove of Aaron Bracho scoring the runner from second. Following that Aldrich De Jongh blasted a two-run home run over the right-field wall.

Bibee would bounce back. He lasted 4.2 innings, allowing three runs, none earned, and totaled five strikeouts.

Offensively, Lake County had its best opportunity in the fourth. The inning led off with a Jhonkensy Noel walk, a Johnathan Rodriguez single, and Bracho being hit by a pitch. Korey Holland, followed by grounding into a 4-6-3 double play, where the lone run for the Captains was scored.

From the fifth inning through the ninth inning, no runs were scored by either side. Lake County, over those innings stranded four runners on base, three in scoring position, and struck out seven times.

The bullpen was strong as Randy Labaut allowed only one hit over 2.1 innings, and Alaska Abney threw a 14-pitch eighth inning.

The Captains return to Dow Diamond tomorrow Wednesday, April 20th to take on the Great Lakes Loons, with first pitch at 6:05 p.m.

Coverage of the game can be found on WJCU.org/Captains and the MiLB First Pitch app.



Columbus Game Notes

April 19, 2022

Scoring in Bunches

Since getting shutout on 4/9 at Lehigh Valley, the Clippers are averaging 8.25 runs per game, including three straight with 10+ (4/14-4/16, sixth time since 1984). During the surge, Columbus is hitting .369 with runners in scoring position (31x84; .081, 3x37 in 4G prior). When the Clippers finish with at least four runs this year, they are 9-0, while remaining winless when they finish with three or fewer (0-3).

To the Nines

Each of the nine wins by Columbus have been awarded to a different pitcher, as the Clippers boast the most winners on the same team (Worcester has nine wins spread among five pitchers). In addition, the Clippers have gone deep in each of their wins, following a season- opening loss with 2HR (.900 winning percentage with a HR trails only Rochester, 7-0).
Working for It

The bottom pair of the Clipper order, Mitchell Tolman and Jose Fermin, have 20BB between the two of them, joining Donny Sands and John Andreoli of Lehigh Valley as the only teammates in the IL with at least 10BB apiece (only seven batters have at least 10BB). On the season, batters 7-9 of the Clipper lineup have posted a .380OBP (only team in IL with at least .370OBP from each spot, 7-9).

Columbus was 5-6 against Indianapolis last year, 1 going 4-3 in games decided by three runs or less and 1-3 in games decided by at least a grand slam (-18 run differential). The Clippers had more extra base hits in the series (31-27), but the got spanked in the walk department (19-47), leading to that awful differential. Columbus had four multi-run innings in 92 times at bat (allowed 13 in 89).

Columbus Clippers take down Indianapolis 4-2 for 9th straight win

by Jarrod ClayTuesday, April 19th 2022

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

The Columbus Clippers (10-3) extended their winning streak to nine games Tuesday night with a 4-2 win over the Indianapolis Indians.

The Clippers got on the board early when right fielder Oscar Gonzalez tripled to right field scoring Luke Maile.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Clippers struck again in the top of the fourth, plating two runs on a double by first baseman David Fry. Gonzalez and Will Benson scored to extend Columbus' lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Indianapolis scored a pair of runs to cut the Clippers' lead to 3-2.

In the top of the ninth, Columbus added an insurance run when Jose Fermin scored on a Richie Palacios groundout.

Gonzales finished the game going 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI. He was a homerun away from hitting for the cycle.

Righty Aaron Pinto picked up the win for Columbus. He struck out four batters and walked one in two scoreless innings.

Ian Gibaut recorded the save for Columbus, his first of the season.

Columbus and Indianapolis will be back in action Wednesday at 1:35 p.m.




RubberDucks Blitzed in Bowie Opener, 20-6

April 19, 2022 -

Akron right fielder George Valera had three hits, including his second home run of the season, but the Bowie Baysox scored 12 runs in the first two innings to take a 20-6 victory over the RubberDucks in the opener of a six-game series and the first rematch of the 2021 Double-A Northeast Championship Series at Prince George's Stadium Tuesday night.

Turning Point

With Akron leading 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning, right-hander Hunter Gaddis issued back-to-back walks with two outs, loading the bases for center fielder Hudson Haskin, who hit a two-run single to left field for a 2-1 Bowie lead. Left fielder Shayne Fontana added a two-run single to right-center field for a 4-1 lead, ending the night for Gaddis. Right fielder Dylan Harris added an RBI double off right-hander Manuel Alvarez, and catcher Maverick Handley hit a two-run home run. Shortstop Jordan Westburg later added an RBI double to make it 8-1 in the first inning.

Mound Presence

After Gaddis was charged with five runs in two-thirds of an inning, Alvarez allowed six in one inning. Right-hander Nick Gallagher pitched two innings, allowing one run, and right-hander Kevin Kelly posted 2 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Right-hander Kyle Marman pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Outfielder Jonathan Engelmann entered for the eighth inning and allowed six runs while recording two outs. Catcher Eric Rodríguez yielded two home runs before ending the eight-run inning.

Duck Tales

Akron took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Valera singled, shortstop Brayan Rocchio was hit by a pitch, and center fielder Will Brennan hit an RBI double - his team-high 10th RBI and sixth double. Valera added a two-run homer in the fifth inning. In the sixth, designated hitter Seth Caddell hit an RBI double (his first professional extra-base hit, and a passed ball and groundout scored two more runs, closing the deficit at the time to 12-6.

Notebook

Brennan's two-hit game gave him a league-leading 15 hits. His .405 batting average is second...Catcher Bo Naylor extended a six-game hitting streak with a ninth-inning single, and José Tena extended a five-game hitting streak with a sixth-inning single......Game Time: 3:04...Attendance: 1,043.
On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their six-game series in Bowie at 6:35 p.m. EDT Tuesday. Akron left-hander Joey Cantillo (0-0, 1.80 ERA) is scheduled to face Baysox right-hander Garrett Stallings (0-0, 4.50 ERA). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on MiLB.TV. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.



Mendez Homers as Mudcats Rout Hillcats 10-1

April 19, 2022 -

ZEBULON - Hendry Mendez went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in the eighth, Hedbert Perez went 2-for-5 with a run in the first and a RBI single in the seventh, Jesus Chirinos drove in three runs, and pitchers Jeferson Figueroa, Pablo Garabitos, Miguel Segura and Trevor Tietz held the Lynchburg Hillcats to just one run in a 10-1 Carolina home win on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium.

The Mudcats (6-4) scored three runs in the first while jumping out to an early 3-0 lead against starter Franco Aleman and the Hillcats (3-7). Those three first inning runs extended Carolina's streak of scoring in the first inning to four straight games. It also marked the eighth straight game where the Mudcats scored first overall.

Both Eduardo Garcia and Perez singled to start the Carolina half of the first. Both then later scored after Aleman (0-2) walked Mendez and lost a run scoring wild pitch while also walking Jeferson Quero. Chirinos then brought in the third run of the inning with a RBI groundout.

Carolina's early 3-0 lead was strengthened by dominant pitching from Figueroa, Garabitos, Segura (1-0), and Tietz. Figueroa held Lynchburg scoreless over three and 1/3 before giving way to Garabitos who recorded two outs in the fourth. Segura then worked the next three and 2/3 without allowing a run. Tietz did inherit a bases loaded jam form Segura in the eighth but was able to get out of it while getting a groundout. It was the second time that Tietz stranded all three inherited runners in an appearance this season.

The game stayed locked at 3-0 through the sixth before the Mudcats opened things up with a five run seventh. That frame began with a walk by Arbert Cipion and a Zack Raabe single. Perez then singled in Cipion to make it 4-0, while Mendez drove in two with a single to right to lift the lead to 6-0. Chirinos followed with a two-run hit of his own to stretch the lead to 8-0 while capping Carolina's five run frame.

The Mudcats led 8-0 before Mendez connected on his two-run home run in the eighth to put Carolina up 10-0. The home run was his first as a Mudcat and Carolina's first at Five County Stadium this season.

Lynchburg scored it's only run of the game in the ninth when Isaiah Greene doubled and scored on a single from Milan Tolentino. Reliever Trevor Tietz allowed both hits and the lone Lynchburg run in the final frame.

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anyone looking for a corner OF with power?

Gonzales finished the game going 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI. He was a homerun away from hitting for the cycle.
Akron right fielder George Valera had three hits, including his second home run of the season

Tuesday perfprmances

CLE AA #3 Brayan Rocchio, SS 4 0 0 0 .241
CLE AA #4 George Valera, SS 5 2 3 2 .280 HR (2), OPS 1086
CLE HiA #10 Angel Martinez, SS 1 0 1 0 .389
CLE AA #11 Jose Tena, SS 4 1 1 0 .273 BB (3), E (3),
CLE AAA #13 Richard Palacios, 4 0 0 1 .256 BB (6), SB (1),
CLE LoA #17 Carson Tucker, SS 2 0 0 0 .091 2 BB (7), 1ST ROUND PICK 2019; NO SEASON 2020; HURT ONLY 20 ab IN 2021
CLE HiA #18 G Rodriguez, 3B 4 0 1 0 .435
CLE HiA #20 Jhonkensy Noel, 3B 2 1 0 0 .300 2 BB (4),
CLE HiA #25 Aaron Bracho, 2B 3 0 0 0 .250
CLE LoA #32 Isaiah Greene, OF 5 1 1 0 .280 2B (2),
CLE LoA #33 Milan Tolentino, 2B 5 0 1 1 .346
CLE LoA #37 Luis Durango, OF 4 0 0 0 .097
CLE AA #39 Will Brennan, OF 5 0 2 1 .405 2B (6), ops 1009

CLE AA #36 Hunter Gaddis, RHP 0.2 3 5 5 2 1 7.50 L (1-1) off night

Carson Tucker is a local Arizona kid. Watched a few clips of his HS highlight films. I didn't see anything that special.

Done nothing so far.

With the G's record of developing position players, could be another 1st round bust.

they're not so bad usually on infielders. They really flop with top of the draft outfielders
the previous they picked Valdes and Cairo in the first 2 or three rounds and they're not doing anything either

Lake County Blanks Great Lakes, in Dominant 7-0 Victory

April 20, 2022

MIDLAND, MI - The Lake County Captains (5-6) dominated both offensively and on the mound, shutting out the Great Lakes Loons (3-8) 7-0 on a windy Wednesday evening at Dow Diamond.

Aaron Davenport started for the Captains. The right-hander would retire seven of the first nine batters he faced. In the third, the Loons loaded the bases, but Davenport forced a flyout to end the threat. Davenport went 4.2 innings, allowing no runs and striking out five.

In the top of the fourth, Lake County provided run support. Micael Ramirez, doubled and then after the second out was recorded the Captains strung together three consecutive hits. An RBI double from Raynel Delgado, an RBI single from Gabriel Rodriguez, and an RBI double from Joe Naranjo, to take a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Lake County added four more. Three walks started the inning. A wild pitch plated the first run, an error the second, and a two-run single from Jonathan Rodriguez put the sixth and seventh run across the plate.

The bullpen for the Captains also showed out. Jordan Jones earned a strikeout to end the fifth and would add two more over 2.1 innings, gaining his second win of the season. Matt Turner would record the final six outs, allowing only one hit.

In total, Great Lakes left 10 runners on base and struck out nine times.

The Captains and Loons face off in game number three of the six-game series at Dow Diamond tomorrow Wednesday, April 21st. The first pitch is at 6:05 p.m.



RubberDucks Lose Shutout in Bowie, 5-0

April 20, 2022 -

Akron RubberDucks pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts, but Bowie Baysox right-handers Garrett Stallings and Ryan Watson combined for a one-hit shutout to lead a 5-0 home victory to win the first two games of a six-game series at Prince George's Stadium Wednesday night.

Turning Point

In a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth inning, RubberDucks left-hander Joey Cantillo walked the first two batters, and center fielder Hudson Haskin put down a bunt single, though the RubberDucks caught a runner between second and third base for the first out. After striking out the next batter, Cantillo allowed catcher Cody Roberts' two-run single to right field, giving Bowie a 2-0 lead.

Mound Presence

Cantillo recorded seven strikeouts in the first three innings, including five in a row between the first and second innings. He departed after allowing two earned runs on two hits and five walks with eight strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Left-hander Andrew Misiaszek entered and pitched a career-long 3 1/3 innings, also posting a career-high seven strikeouts. Left-hander Tim Herrin pitched the eighth inning, yielding three earned runs on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts. The 17 strikeouts by Akron pitchers were their second most in a game this season (18 at Erie on April 9).

Duck Tales

Akron's hit came in the first inning on shortstop Brayan Rocchio's bunt single. Two other RubberDucks walked against Stallings in his five innings, but no baserunners reached second base. Watson retired all 12 batters in the last four innings, extending his streak of eight perfect innings to begin his first Double-A season.

Notebook

RubberDucks pitchers have a league-leading 136 strikeouts...Bowie pitched its first shutout of the year, while Akron has been shut out twice this season (also Opening Night April 8 in Erie)... Game Time: 2:20...Attendance: 1,283.
On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their six-game series in Bowie at 6:35 p.m. EDT Thursday. Akron left-hander Logan Allen (1-1, 2.89 ERA) is scheduled to face Baysox left-hander Drew Rom (1-1, 3.38 ERA). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on MiLB.TV. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.



Columbus Clippers fall to Indianapolis 5-3 ending 9-game winning streak

by Jarrod Clay Wednesday, April 20th 2022

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Indianapolis Indians hung a crooked number in the bottom of the fourth inning Wednesday to help beat Columbus 5-3, snapping the Clippers' nine-game winning streak.

The Indians took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Anthony Alford knocked a line drive over the left-field wall.

In the top of the third inning, the Clippers (10-4) tied the game 1-1 one a solo home run by Jose Fermin, his third of the season.

An inning later, the Clippers took a 2-1 lead when Mitchell Tolman scored on a throwing error by Indianapolis shortstop Oniel Cruz.

In the bottom of the fourth, Indianapolis plated three runs to take a 4-2 lead.

The Indians added a fifth run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Jared Oliva walked, scoring Canaan Smith-Njigba, the older brother of Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Fermin homered for a second time in the top of the ninth inning to cut the lead to 5-3, but the Clippers could not get any closer before the final out.

Brett Daniels (1-1) took the loss for the Clippers after giving up three earned runs on three hits in two innings of work.

The Clippers will be looking to bounce back Thursday when they take on Indianapolis in the third game of a six-game series.



Perez Hits Go-Ahead Blast in 2-1 Carolina Victory

April 20, 2022 -

ZEBULON -

Hedbert Perez hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth, Arbert Cipion had a game-tying triple in the fifth, Karlos Morales earned the win and Michele Vassalotti turned in his second save as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Lynchburg Hillcats 2-1 with 5,652 on Wednesday afternoon at Five County Stadium.

The Mudcats (7-4) trailed 1-0 through the fourth before Micah Bello walked and scored on Cipion's game-tying triple in the fifth. Bello's run tied the game at 1-1 and was the only run allowed by Lynchburg (3-8) starter Rodney Boone.

Perez then broke the 1-1 tie with his solo home run off Elvis Jerez to start the sixth to give the Mudcats a 2-1 lead. The home run was his second of the season, his first at Five County Stadium this year, and his second in his last three games.

Jerez (1-1) allowed the Perez home run in the sixth and took the loss. Boone also allowed just one run in his start, but struck out nine and walked one over five full innings.

Ryne Moore started and held the Hillcats to just one unearned run over five full innings. Moore also walked four, struck out five and scattered two hits in Wednesday's daytime start. Morales (1-0) followed and worked through two scoreless with a walk and four strikeouts. Christian Tripp followed with a scoreless eighth and Vassalotti struck out two in the ninth while earning his second save.

The victory was Carolina's third straight overall and fifth straight at home.

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Some nice lines by starting pitchers from the 2021 draft second tier

Aaron Davenport 4 2/3 innings 5K 0 walks
Round 6

Baseball America predraft analysis:
Davenport spent three seasons in Hawaii’s rotation and began to break out in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season. He picked up where he left off in 2021 and posted a 3.74 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 21 walks in 86.2 innings as the Friday night starter for the Rainbow Warriors, including dominant showings in high-profile matchups against Arizona State, Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton. Davenport is a 6-foot righthander with a fastball that sits 89-90 mph and tops out at 93-94. While his size and fastball don’t stand out, his curveball is a separator. It’s a high-spin, vertical hammer in the upper 70s that buckles hitters at the knees and gets whiffs and weak contact when they do swing. It’s a consensus plus pitch and maybe more. His changeup has developed and begun to flash above-average and he throws all of his pitches for strikes. Davenport’s size and velocity prevent him from being a top draft prospect, but he has a solid track record of performance and analytically-inclined teams like his spin rates and pitch data. He projects to be drafted in the middle of the draft’s second day.

Rodney Boone 5 innings 1 walk 9K
Round 8

Baseball America predraft analysis:
Boone teamed with Michael McGreevy this spring to give UC Santa Barbara one of the best starting pitching duos on the West Coast. While McGreevy received most of the draft attention, Boone actually had the lower ERA (2.20) and higher strikeouts per nine innings (11.7) of the two during the regular season. Boone is a soft-tossing lefty who succeeds on command and deception. His fastball sits 86-88 mph and tops out at 90 mph, but he hides the ball well in his delivery and it gets on hitters quicker than they expect. His best pitch is a plus changeup in the low 70s that gets hitters lunging and keeps them off of his fastball. Boone mostly lives on those two pitches. He has a curveball in the low 70s he can land for strikes, but it lacks bite and he rarely uses it. He gets ahead of hitters with his fastball and finishes them with his changeup and locates both with above-average control. Boone will need to improve his fastball velocity and tighten his breaking ball to project as a back-end starter. His track record of performance from the left side has teams interested.