American Association Sunday Insider: "Why isn't he in affiliate ball" East Division.
A couple of weeks ago we took a look at five players in the American Association West Division who have had strong starts and examined their chances to get back in MiLB. We also looked at what may hold them back, with the Rob Pannier money question, "Why isn't he in affiliate ball?". Now let's go out East.
Brantley Bell- Chicago Dogs
Bell in his second year with Chicago has got off to another fantastic start at the plate hitting .308, highlighted by a 6-6 night that put him in the American Association record book with many others for most hits in a game. Last year Bell hit 12 home runs, drove in 57 runs and stole 54 bases. Bell played primarily second base but did get in six games at shortstop and one at third base. The only thing that may be holding Bell back at this time is age. I'd love to be 30 again, but in MiLB terms, 30 is the point where a guy has a book on him. Teams generally don't take a feel for a 30 year old unless it's to fill a temporary need where they don't want to move guys around their system to fill it. It's unfortunate as Bell has made it as high as AAA in 2021. It didn't go well as he hit .199 in 85 games with Louisville. I'm sure he'd like another shot.
Zeke Wood- Cleburne Railroaders
On the other side of the age spectrum, we find Zeke Wood. Wood turned 25 in March. Wood is in his second year of pro baseball. He has been strictly a Partner League pitcher, throwing last year for Tri City in the Frontier League. Wood caught the eye of the Railroaders brass by accumulating a 1.89 ERA in 38 innings striking out 53 batters, walking 21, winning five games and saving 7 others. Wood also started three games for the Valley Cats. Wood may have forced his way into a closing role in Cleburne. A 1.10 ERA in 16.1 innings while striking out 24 batters and only walking five. Wood has also shown he's not a one inning closer, coming in the eighth inning in his last two opportunities. I see Wood starting as a High A pitcher if given the opportunity.
Jairus Richards- Gary SouthShore RailCats
Richards is now in his fifth season in Partner League baseball. After spending 2021-24 in the Frontier League, Richards is now in his first season in the American Association. After being a good threat on the base paths the first couple of seasons in the Frontier League, Richards stole 75 bases and batted .340. It was at least enough to give him a Mexican League gig in 2024. Back in the state now in Gary, Richards has started where he left off in 2023, swiping 21 bases in 20 games batting .263 after a tough start to the season in the Frontier League with York. Richards is only a couple of years removed from his .340 average and 16 home runs but scouts deal in the now. Hitting .263 with not much power isn't bad, but can being known primarily for your speed be enough to get you into MiLB? He could be a project for a team willing to take a chance.
Konnor Ash- Kane County Cougars
Ash has become the ace of the Cougars staff. That is saying something with the arms that the Cougars trot out to the mound every day. Ash in his six starts has not allowed more than 2 runs (only once), has pitched six plus innings in five of his six starts and has a 1.47 ERA to show for his efforts. He is 2-2 but that lies primarily because of a lack of run support. Ash has received a total of six runs in his four no decisions. Ash has struck out 44 batters and walked four in 36.2 innings. Frankly at this pace, if he's still around come All Star Game, I'd be stunned. Ash had a 3.53 ERA in 63.2 innings of work for AA Reading last season. Only blemish I could possibly see is 35 walks, but that's not even alarming. Bottom line is, Cougar fans, enjoy Ash while you can. I'm sure it's nice for him to be pitching close to home, but I think a MLB organization will be calling soon.
Eric Torres- Lake Country
Let's face it, MiLB teams are always looking for arms, especially a lefty, right? And Torres fits the bill as an arm that could help an organization. Torres has pitched exactly one inning in each of his outings this season for the DockHounds. Torres has a win, seven saves and 18 strike outs in 11 innings to go with a 0.81 ERA. Torres in his first four seasons got as high as AAA for the Los Angeles Angels. His biggest success was in AA with Rocket City. With the Trash Pandas, Torres had a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings while striking out 55 batters. For a guy who has a taste of AAA, and someone who won't turn 26 until September, Torres should get a look as long as he continues what he has started for the DockHounds.
Notes:
News came out today that the contract of Fargo-Moorhead's Alex DuBord has been transferred to Tijuana of the Mexican League. As happy as I am for DuBord to be pitching where the pay is going to be better, we lose one of the best story lines of the season in his chase to shatter the American Association's save record of 34. Although a return is a possibility, it will likely come too late for him to catch the record. Garrett Alexander, off to the best start of his American Association career and Parker Harm who I profiled with the West player to watch emerge as the candidates to close for the RedHawks. With a righty and lefty option, it may depend on who is batting as to who Chris Coste will look to as closer.
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