For this piece, I will highlight the top performers at the plate and on the mound from the previous week of play. Below is the hotlist for Week Ten. Here is last week’s Hotlist.
Who’s Hot At The Plate?
Brice Matthews – Matthews started the season slow but since coming back from the IL he has been on a tear. This week the 22-year-old hit .462 with 4 homer, 7 runs batted in and 5 stolen bases. Overall this year he is hitting .364 and proving why he was a first round pick last summer.
Luis Baez – Baez also had a huge week in Asheville. Despite being one of the younger players in the league, the 20-year-old Baez hit .345 with 3 doubles, 2 homers and 12 runs batted in in just 6 games. He is hitting .293 overall this year with 13 2B, 9 HR and 38 RBI.
Shay Whitcomb – Whitcomb has been steady and put up good numbers all season. This week was no different. In 6 games for Sugar Land, Whitcomb hit .304 and connected on 3 homers while driving in 7 runs. He is tied for the lead in HRs in the Astros system this season.
Cesar Salazar – Salazar has quietly put together a strong season and this week he was really good. The catcher hit .429 with 2 doubles, a homer and 4 runs batted in in 4 games. He also had 3 BB/1 SO. Overall in Triple-A he has a .846 OPS this season.
John Garcia – Garcia had a strong week, carried by a record setting performance with five doubles in one game. Overall the 23-year-old hit .393 with 6 doubles, 1 homer and 4 runs batted in. He has been a consistent force for Asheville this year.
Who’s Hot On The Mound?
Jake Bloss – Bloss has been great all season long and this week was no different. He made two starts for the Hooks and in his first one he went 6.2 scoreless innings. In his second start he went 5.2 innings allowing just 1 hit and 1 run. Overall he has a 1.94 ERA this season.
A.J. Blubaugh – Like Bloss, Blubaugh has been a fast riser making it up to Triple-A. He continued his solid pitching this week allowing 1 run over 5 innings of work. He has a 3.50 ERA this season with 53 K in 54 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.
Jose Guedez – Guedez has really came out of nowhere this season after making his stateside debut last year. This week in his one start he went 5 innings allowing just 1 run with 5 strikeouts. Overall he has a 2.98 ERA with 49 K in 42.1 innings this season.
Ryan Gusto – Gusto had some helium after a strong finish last year and a good showing in Spring. He has struggled a bit this year but turned in a good outing this week allowing 1 run over 6 innings while picking up 6 strikeouts.
Alain Pena – Pena has been one of the better pitchers for the Woodpeckers this year. The 21-year-old tossed 6 scoreless innings in his one start this week. Overall this season he has a 2.68 ERA with 49 K in 47 innings in Single-A.
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