Gavin Stone AA Debut – May 18, 2022
OKC Beat the Round Rock Express: 8-0
Beau Burrows pitched, arguably, his best game of the year throwing 5.2 innings of shutout ball. He allowed only 4 hits, walked 2 and struck out 8 on the night. The Ks were a season high for the former Tiger first round draft pick. This was the also the longest outing this year for Burrows. Hopefully, he can build on this outing moving forward. Burrows was followed on the hill by relievers Marshall Kasowski and Garrett Cleavinger. Kasowski pitched 1.1 innings surrendering 2 walks, but no hits and the struck out 2. Cleavinger had similar results. In his 2 innings, the Express got two harmless hits. Cleavinger did not walk a batter and he struck out 2. It was also the 3rd shutout of the year for the Dodgers.
At the plate, OKC was led by Ryan Noda, who was 4-5, with a double and 2 RBI. Zack McKinstry had 2 hits in his 5 at bats, and scored 2 runs. Michael Busch also went 2-5, with 2 RBI, however he K’d 3 times. Miguel Vargas went 1-4, with a double and 2 RBI.
Nice game for several players but my vote for player of the game goes to Beau Burrows.
Beau Burrows had a great outing tonight in Round Rock. In fact, it was his best outing since his first outing on April 8th. Burrows went 5.2, struck out 8, and only walked 2. Well done @TheBeauBurrows Here's a look at the mix he had working tonight. #dodgers #beauburrows pic.twitter.com/mFFJitmRVt
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 1, 2022
Tulsa Drillers los to the San Antonio Missions 3-1.
Gavin Stone started for the Drillers and continued his string of amazing pitching at AA. At this stage of the year, Stone will probably be the fastest riser up the prospect rankings for the Dodgers. Stone pitched six innings, giving up just the one run on four hits. He did not walk a batter and had 9 strikeouts. Which happens to be a season high for any Driller pitcher. He was charged with the loss, but his performance was outstanding. The no walks speaks volumes as to the type of pitcher he is. In Stones 3 AA starts, he has pitched 16.0 innings and has allowed just one run. He has walked only two batters while striking out 24. His ERA is 0.56. He was followed to the mound by Jose Hernandez, who pitched his second shutout inning since being promoted to the Drillers. Hernandez was followed by Nick Robertson who proceeded to walk the bases loaded(walks are killers), before surrendering a 2 run single.
There is very little to talk about concerning the Drillers’ offence. They scored their loan run in the 9th inning on a walk to James Outman, a single from Ryan Ward which was followed by a walk to Andy Pages. Outman scored on a Jacob Amaya ground out. Carson Taylor ended the threat by grounding out to the pitcher.
Player of the game honors go to Gavin Stone.
Great Lake Loons lost to Fort Wayne: 9-1
Kyle Hurt started for the Loons. After a uneventful 1st inning, the wheels fell off for Hurt in the 2nd. In the 2nd, the first batter got a single, then Hurt walked the next 4 batters. Julien Smith then came in to relieve Hurt. Unfortunately, he allowed all three inherited runners to score. He also allowed a run of his own to score. At the end of the 2nd it was 6-0, which with the Loons anemic offense, was a hole they could not dig out of. Kevin Malisheski relieved Smith and he allowed a run in his 2 innings of work. He allowed 2 hits, walked 2 and struck out 3. Then it was Jacob Cantleberry’s turn. In his 3 innings, he only allowed 1 hit and a walk. Unfortunately, that hit happened to be a two-run home run. He also struck out 2. He was followed t the mound by Harold’s favorite, fellow Canadian, Max Hewitt who pitched the last inning. He surrendered a hit and a walk, but no runs. He also struck out one.
Not much to talk about concerning the Loons’ offense. They could only muster up 3 hits, one of which was a home run off the bat of 20 year old Alex De Jesus, who was making his debut with the Loons.
I’m going to award co-player of the game awards to Alex DeJesus and Max Hewitt. A hardy “atta boy” to the both of you.
Alex De Jesus homered in his Great Lakes debut, 425', 105 mph off the bat pic.twitter.com/eUY2iyhF53
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) June 1, 2022
Great message from former Oklahoma State Cowboy and current Dodger farm hand, Max Hewitt, on being humble and staying true to who you are as a player. #okstate @OSUBaseball #Dodgers @THEREAL_DV @realnedcolletti @Nomar5 @OrelHershiser pic.twitter.com/dtRyxyiJza
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) November 6, 2021
RC Quakes lost to the Lake Elsinore Storm: 9-6
The Quakes actually led in this game at one point, but lost it by surrendering 5 unanswered runs in the 8th and 9th as Christian Suarez did his best Craig Kimbrel impression. Huei-Sheng Lin started and 4 serviceable innings, allowing but 2 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, coupled wit 2 strike outs. He was followed by Kelvin Bautista, who gave up 2 runs in his inning of work on 2 hits and a walk. Adolfo Ramirez came next and he allowed one run on a hit and a walk in his 2 innings. He also struck out 3. The came Suarez, asked to protect a 6-4 lead. He couldn’t do it. In his 1.1 innings he gave up 4 runs on 4 hits in his 1.1 innings, including a 2 run home run to Albert Fabian to tie the game. After giving up 2 consecutive singles after the home run, Suarez left the game with an apparent leg injury. Suarez was followed by Madison Jeffrey who allowed his 2 inherited runners to score and proceeded to allow a run of his own in the 0.2 innings he pitched.
Offensively, the Quakes had 3 hitters with 2 hits a piece; Damon Keith, including a single, double and RBI; Gaige Howard, including a single, double and RBI; and Julio Carrion, including a three run home run and a RBI producing double.
While Lin could also be serving, I’m giving the player of the game award to Julio Carrion with his home run and double.
A BIG THANKYOU to Rob for filling in this week with the MiLB Summaries. He should become a more often regular in the rotation here.
Gavin Stone is quickly becoming a storyline for 2022. He was an afterthought for many from the 2020 draft, which is not hard to do considering that draft included Bobby Miller and Landon Knack.
3 starts at AA – 16.0 IP, 0.56 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 24K vs 2 BB. A 12/1 K to BB ratio. Really??? 24 Ks in 16 IP for a 13.5 K/9. That is impressive for a reliever, but pretty darn special for a starter.
I thought Bobby Miller was good at 4/1 (36/9) in 31 IP. Or Landon Knack at 7.33 (22/3) also in 16.0 IP.
At GL, Gavin had 6 starts and 25 IP. He had a 1.44 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 28/6 (K/BB) or a 4.67 SO/W ration
Overall – 9 starts, 41 IP, 1.10 ERA, 0.976 WHIP and a 6.50 SO/W ratio (52/8).
Gavin has gone from an afterthought to a Top 10 prospect seemingly overnight. He is a star on the rise, and a prospect everyone can get behind. Gavin Stone is quickly looking to be this year’s Ryan Pepiot.
I know that everyone quickly became a Diego Cartaya fan after the 2018 International Free Agent Carnival. If he stays healthy, he is as close as a Can’t Miss Prospect the Dodgers have had for quite some time (Maybe Corey Seager??)
But there were at least two others in that class that I started to follow from when they were signed. SS/3B Alex De Jesus and RHP Jerming Rosario. De Jesus and Cartaya have moved up now, while Rosario is still trying to find his way at Rancho. I am still in Jerming’s corner.
De Jesus is my Zach McKinstry to Harold. I was so excited to see that he hit his first GL HR in his first A+ game. He still has a ways to go to complete his climb up the organizational ladder, but I am going to enjoy the ride as long as it takes.
Gavin Stone was my choice for Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2021.
There was just something about 138 strikeouts in 91 IP and a 5.52K/BB ratio.
He is cool on the mound, all business, and it just looks like he expects guys to get out. I am sure he will hit a rough spot spot now and then as they all do. It all depends on how he deals with it.
It just seems like the Dodgers should have more top 100 prospects than they do and higher ranked as well.
And you have hit on exactly what I have been saying. Where they draft, it is almost impossible to get that elite talent. You hope to be able to develop one. But what the Dodgers do is draft quality talent and look to develop ML players, but not necessarily All Stars. They also beleive that they are better equipped to develop pitchers, thus their drafts are full of pitchers. The last position player drafted by the Dodgers to become an All Star with LA is Cody Bellinger. None with the AF regime. Perhaps Will Smith or Gavin Lux at some point, but not yet.