Triple-A: New Orleans Zephyrs
L 0-8 @ Albuquerque Isotopes
Kevin Mattison, CF: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 SO
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 1B: 2-for-3, BB
Kyle Jensen, RF: 0-for-4
Doug Mathis, SP: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, 4 SO, HR
New Orleans suffered an absolute thrashing at the hands of Albuquerque, giving up two home runs to a lineup full of fringe major league players like Dee Gordon, Tony Gwynn, Justin Sellers, and Ian Stewart. Former major league starter Jonathan Sanchez even started for them, walking five batters in his typical fashion.
Double-A: Jacksonville Suns
W 12-4 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
Isaac Galloway, CF: 2-for-5, 2 R, HR, 2 SO
Derek Dietrich, 2B: 1-for-4, R, 2B, BB, SO
Jacob Realmuto, C: 4-for-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, SO
Matt Neil, SP: 6.0 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 SO
As much as I wish Jake Realmuto's 18th double and fourth home run represented a part of a larger turnaround, it simply hasn't been the case. July will soon end, and his slash line this month currently stands at .225/.267/.380.
High Class A: Jupiter Hammerheads
L 3-5 vs. Brevard County Manatees
Brent Keys, LF: 4-for-4, BB
Austin Barnes, C: 0-for-1, R, 3 BB
Austin Nola, SS: 0-for-4
Jake Esch, SP: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 SO
Colby Suggs, RP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 SO
Last year, Brent Keys finished third in batting average in the South Atlantic League, batting an impressive .335. Keys advanced to the much more difficult Florida State League this year, where he now leads with a .352 BA. Keys has positioned himself as one of the best sleeper prospects in the Marlins system. He doesn't have the power to be a great player, but his hit tool could carry him to the majors.
Low Class A: Greensboro Grasshoppers
L 1-3 vs. Greenville Drive
Colin Moran, 3B: 1-for-3, 3B, BB
Chad James, SP: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
The Marlins' first round pick this year, Colin Moran, only has 11 games played professional thus far. If one thing has shone through in his .243/.333/.405 line, it's his tremendous plate discipline. Moran has six walks compared to just four strikeouts in 43 plate appearances.
Short-Season: Batavia Muckdogs
L 1-2 vs. State College Spikes
Avery Romero, 2B: 1-for-6, BB, 3 SO
Chad Wallach, C: 2-for-4, R, 2B, 2 BB
Max Garner, SP: 3.0 IP, H, SO
The Muckdogs pitched a great game, headlined by reliever Brian Ellington's four innings of work with seven strikeouts. Unfortunately, the offense failed to back them up. They went 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position, eventually leading to a 13 inning heart-breaker.
Rookie: GCL Marlins
L 4-5 @ GCL Nationals
Ryan Aper, CF: 2-for-6, R, SO
K.J. Woods, DH: 1-for-5, 2 SO
Gabriel Castellanos, SP: 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 SO
The GCL Marlins also endured a painful extra-innings defeat. They took the lead in the 11th, but then a wild pitch tied the game in the bottom half of the inning. The GCL Nationals were then able to walk-off in the next inning with a Rafael Bautista single.