Bahr deals, Hickory mashes on the farm today

The most interesting thing that happened on the farm tonight was Nashville giving up 15 runs in the first inning in the second game of their doubleheader today, but since I’m trying to highlight good things on the farm in these updates, we are going to just ignore that...

Also, I’ve been mainly highlighting pitching performances, but Hickory’s hitters mashed four home runs today. Sam Huff hit his 11th of the year, and his 7th in his last 9 games, fellow catcher Matt Whatley hit his first of the season, Pedro Gonzalez hit his 7th, and Curtis Terry hit his 6th (along with 2 doubles). Huff, Terry and Jonathan Ornelas have been the offensive stars in the early going for Hickory, and Huff now has an 1163 OPS on the year. I’ve never been too sure what to make of Huff as a prospect — a catcher, he has a big time arm and big time power, but he also has major strikeout issues. He’s repeating at Hickory, but would seem likely to move up to Down East soon.

Because this is Hickory, there were several interesting pitchers who threw well as well — in this case, a trio of largely unknown relievers who combined for 4.1 scoreless. Grant Anderson, acquired from Seattle for Connor Sadzeck, went 1.1 IP with a walk, Hever Bueno, one of the armada of big, hard-throwing righties, struck out 3 and walked 3 in 2 IP, and Dylan Bice fanned 2 of the 3 batters he faced in a shutout 9th inning.

Jason Bahr pitched for Down East today, and the righthander allowed a lone run in 6 IP, on 3 hits, 1 HBP and no walks, striking out 5. Bahr lowered his ERA on the year to 1.69...given his age (he’s 24) and the fact he made 11 starts in high-A last year, he seems likely to be in Frisco at some point in the second half. Demarcus Evans picked up the save with a scoreless 9th that featured a K and a walk, lowering his ERA to 1.93.

Leody Taveras got a hit for Down East today, and he’s now hitting .311 with a 791 OPS. Diosbel Arias had a pair of hits today along with a walk, and has his OPS up to 856.