Harrisburg Senators
The Senators entered last week in last place in the second-half standings but acquitted themselves pretty well in hosting the first place Akron Rubber Ducks of the Cleveland Guardians' organization, splitting the series 3-3. Things could be looking up for Harrisburg this week, as over the past few days they have gotten not one, not two, not three, but four pretty big returns/additions to the roster, and with some of the recent draft picks likely to join low-A Fredericksburg this week there is the potential for more movement (paging T.J. White to the red courtesy phone).
Scores & Standings
Akron 6, Harrisburg 4 (Tuesday); Akron 6, Harrisburg 3 (Wednesday); Harrisburg 9, Akron 1 (Friday G1); Harrisburg 7, Akron 3 (Friday G2); Harrisburg 2, Akron 0 (Saturday); Akron 6, Harrisburg 1 (Sunday). Harrisburg is now 12-21 in the second half, ten games behind Akron in the Eastern League's Southwest Division.
Pitcher of the Week - Tyler Stuart, RHP
Stuart was acquired last week from the Mets (well, technically from the Binghamton Rumble Ponies) in exchange for Jesse Winker and joined Harrisburg in time to be the Tuesday-Sunday starter in his first week against the best team in the league - no pressure there. He shoved both times, making one bad pitch for a three-run homer in the Tuesday outing that accounted for his only runs allowed. His line for the week? 11 innings, 8 hits, 4 walks, 3 runs, and 14 strikeouts, good for a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Not a bad start to his Nats tenure!
Hitter of the Week - Andrew Pinckney, OF
There were other solid performances at the plate this week (see below), but Pinckney went 6-for-19 with five of the hits going for extra bases (four doubles and a homer), giving him a .316/.409/.684 line for the week. Help is on the way for Pinckney in the lineup and the outfield, but he continues to provide solid play that will keep him on the organizational radar even after the draft and trade deadline resulted in an even deeper farm system.
Other Notes
Outfielder Daylen Lile had eight hits last week, including his first AA triple and home run, for a .949 OPS...shortstop Kevin Made had easily his best week with the lumber, going 7-for-19 with a double and a pair of walks...Rodney Theophile and Andry Lara both posted strong five-inning starts over the weekend, although Lara did allow three runs...Zach Brzykcy continued his dominance as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery, striking out four of the seven batters he faced - it's unclear why he hasn't been promoted to Rochester yet...outfielder Jeremy de la Rosa homered and walked three times, but continues to largely be boom-or-bust (.190/.320/.333)...Marquis Grissom Jr. tossed three perfect innings with four strikeouts.
Roster Moves
At long last, outfielder Robert Hassell III appears to be returning this week (official activation should be today or tomorrow?) after close to two months on the shelf... first baseman Yohandy Morales went 7-for-15 last week in a rehab assignment with Fredericksburg and should be meeting the Senators in Bowie...Stuart already looks like the new (and taller) Brad Lord for this rotation...southpaw Dustin Saenz was activated off of the injured list (where he had been all season) and threw two innings in Thursday's game, which was eventually delayed and postponed for a Friday finish...finally, reliever Tyler Schoff began a rehab assignment with high-A Wilmington last week.
Coming Up
The Senators are local this week! Harrisburg is spending this week playing the Bowie Bay Sox, the Orioles' AA affiliate, so if you are interested in seeing some of these players in person, come on out! Tickets start at $10 and Prince George's Stadium is easily accessible from US-50. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 7:05 on Friday, 6:35 again on Saturday, and 1:05 on Sunday. Expect to see Chase Solesky starting Tuesday and Sunday, Saenz on Wednesday, Lara on Thursday, Theophile on Friday, and Stuart on Saturday.
Members Discussion