Minor Notes: Thornburg gets back on the hill, Beeks rises up
Here are Thursday's minor league notes:
- SoxProspects.com Assistant Director of Scouting Chaz Fiorino posted the final scouting notes from Spring Training earlier in the week, covering pitchers Darwinzon Hernandez, Zach Schellenger, and Jared Oliver. Hernandez has gotten off to a good start this year, but some of the command issues that Chaz notes in the report have shown up in the Carolina League.
- The SoxProspects.com Pitcher and Player of the Month awards for April were announced on Tuesday, with Jalen Beeks (pictured, right) and Cole Sturgeon being recognized for their great starts to the season. Staff Writer Tommy Cassell went in-depth on their performance, and for Beeks his performance combined with some good scouting notes moved him up five spots to eighth in the updated SoxProspects.com rankings.
- Esteban Quiroz was very close to winning the award over Sturgeon, but he went on the disabled list on the 30th after not playing since the 23rd. It was not obvious right away that he was injured as Portland's games from the 27th through the 30th were all postponed due to rain. Tony Renda was signed to a minor league contract and assigned to Portland to take his place. A true utility man, Renda had a brief cup of coffee with the Reds in 2016 and hit .250 over 208 at-bats in Triple-A last season.
- A big acquisition before the 2017 season, Tyler Thornburg looks like he is almost ready to contribute in Boston. He started his rehab appearance on Monday and struck out the side while allowing one hit for the PawSox. Kevin Dillon of MassLive.com wrote about Thornburg's difficult recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.
- Entering the year with high hopes after a great Spring Training, Sam Travis had a setback as he was placed on the disabled list with a left intercostal strain. He started the season with a .383 average over his first 47 at-bats, but he then went into a 1-for-18 slump before being placed on the disabled list. Jantzen Witte was activated as a countermove.
- Outfielder Trenton Kemp was also placed on the disabled list after going through a rough stretch, as he is mired in a 5-for-34 slump for Salem. Catcher Eddy Reynoso was activated to fill out the roster.
- With Eduardo Rodriguez going on the family medical leave list, Marcus Walden was called up to Boston. It is expected that Rodriguez will be activated in time for his next start.
- Jagger Rusconi was activated from the disabled list for Greenville, and Denyi Reyes, who has been one of the better pitchers for Greenville, was transferred to Lowell.
Photo Credit: Jalen Beeks by Kelly O'Connor