Future Redbirds

Mark Hamilton and Joe Mather were named offensive players of the week in their respective leagues. Hamilton was 9 for 25 last week, 5 of those hits were homers. Hamilton is tied for the FSL lead in RBI with 47 and is 2nd in the league in HR with 12. Joe Mather went 10 for 23 with 3 homers and 4 doubles. His performance has been a big reason the S-Cards have their division lead. Mather’s proving after a poor May his is no Mr. April. I’m really liking his peripherals right now. 13.1% walk rate, just a 11.2% strikeout rate and a .316 isolated power. He’s a slugger, but he’s a slugger that is patient and makes contact. And he’s got an arm in RF. He’s gone from being on no one’s radar to a pretty interesting prospect.

Memphis 1, Nashville 7 (Sorry, minor league splits and firstinning.com are having issues with their player linkers, so rather go and link each player one by one and take another half hour posting this thing, it’s coming to you raw like sushi.)

• Skip Schumaker scored the only run of the game, hitting a solo homer. He also walked and struck out twice.
• Brendan Ryan and Nick Stavinoha both went 2 for 4.
• Rick Ankiel went 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts.
• Mike Parisi allowed 5 runs on 5 hits, but only 1 of those runs was earned, which was a HR. He allowed 2 walks, struck out 3 and got 12 ground ball outs.
• Chris Lambert allowed 2 runs on 3 hits over 2 innings.
• Memphis batters struck out 17, count them 17 times tonight. Chris Oxspring and Dennis Sarfate got 16 of them, as they were dealing tonight.

Springfield 3, Arkansas 2

• I’m getting a little concerned for Colby Rasmus. He went 0 for 4 again with 2 K’s and his average dropped to .269 after starting the month hitting near the .300 mark.
• Sean Danielson went 2 for 4 with a HR.
• Bryan Anderson went 2 for 4.
• Joe Mather hit a double and was part of a double play with an assist from the outfield. An ex-third baseman, Mather has a strong throwing arm.
• Cory Rauschenberger allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 6.1 innings while striking out 4 and getting 10 outs on the ground.
• Nick Webber pitched an inning and a third, not allowing a hit or walk and fanning 2.
• Chris Perez had another dominant save. 3 K’s, no walks, no hits.

Palm Beach 9, Brevard 12

• I think Trey Hearne has to be hurt. After being so successful last year, high A shouldn’t be proving such a tough challenge. He only got 2 outs tonight and allowed 7 runs on 6 hits. His ERA is now 6.32. A move to the bullpen or the DL may be in order.
• Donnie Smith didn’t provide much in way of relief. In 3.1 innings, he allowed 4 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3.
• Allen Craig went 2 for 5 with a homer.
• Ian Church hit a grand slam for his only hit.
• Brandon Yarbrough also went yard for his only hit.
• James Rapoport and Jose Contreras both went 2 for 4 with doubles.

Quad Cities 3, Wisconsin 0

• Eddie Degerman struck out 8 over 6 innings, while only allowing a hit and 3 walks.
• Shaun Garceau allowed no runs in 3 innings, allowing 4 hits and a walk. He fanned 2.
• Kenny Maiques capped off the shutout with a perfect 9th. He struck out 2.
• Non-drafted free agent Jaime Landin hit 2 homers while striking out in his other 2 at bats. All or nothing, Jaime.
• Daryl Jones went 0 for 3 but drew a walk and stole his 12th base.

[updated]

Cardinal 9th round draftee Mike Stutes helped pitch is team OSU to the College World Series. Stutes allowed 2 runs on just 3 hits over 8 innings while striking out 9 and walking 1. I really hope they sign this guy.