Last year I decided to stop doing daily recaps to free up more time for other types of articles. Those other articles should be easier to come by as the season progresses and sample sizes grow. What follows is a ton of information about the past week of Tigers' minor league baseball and those daily recaps have been sacrificed in favor of weekly recaps like this. The stats and records do not include games from today (Sunday the 25th).

Toledo Mud Hens

Overall Record: 9-8
Week of 4/18 - 4/24: 3-4

4/18: @ Indianapolis, Lost, 6-9, LP: Ruddy Lugo
4/19: @ Indianapolis, Won, 10-1, WP: Phil Dumatrait, SV: Scot Drucker
4/20: @ Louisville, Won, 4-1, WP: Armando Galarraga, SV: Jay Sborz
4/21: @ Louisville, Lost, 1-3, LP: Enrique Gonzalez
4/22: Columbus, Won, 6-4, WP: Josh Rainwater, SV: Jay Sborz
4/23: Columbus, Lost, 2-6, LP: Scot Drucker
4/24: Columbus, Lost, 1-7, LP: Phil Dumatrait

Runs scored: 30
Runs allowed: 31

The Hens’ bats ran a bit hot and cold as they scored six or more as many times as they scored less than three. Brennan Boesch rode his hot start to a promotion and Deik Scram doubled twice in his first Triple A game. Casper Wells was another notable this week as he cleared the fences three times. In the long run, Scram’s bat is probably comparable to Boesch’s but he’s unlikely to keep up the kind of rate Boesch had given the Hens the first couple weeks. Of course, Boesch wasn’t going to keep that up either.

On the mound, the Hens ran hot and cold as well. After giving up nine last Sunday, they only allowed nine runs in their next four games, winning three of them. Once the weekend came, though, their pitchers stalled right along with the bats. Ruddy Lugo was nearly killed when a line drive hit him in the temple on Friday and Dumatrait was roughed up Saturday.

Top prospects’ results:

Brent Dlugach, IF, 3/28 (.107), 3 BB, 12 K, E
Dlugach had a nice start but has hit the skids as his luck on balls in play has been bad right along with his strike zone judgment (or contact skills).

Jeff Larish, 1b, 5/20 (.250), 3 2b, 6 BB, 4 K, E
Larish didn’t really see the power come this week, but if he keeps up this approach at the plate, he will be one of the Hens’ best bats.

Casper Wells, CF, 8/27 (.296), 2b, 3 HR, 3 BB, 8 K, E, 1 assist
Wells played long ball early in the week before closing out the week on a 1 for 16 stretch.

Ryan Strieby, LF, 0/7 (.000), BB, K
Strieby played in only two games before being placed on the DL.

Robbie Weinhardt, 4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Weinhardt continues to flash pretty good peripherals but the hits and runs keep coming anyway.

Jay Sborz, 2 IP, BB, 2 K
Sborz almost literally could not have been any better so far this year as he’s yet to give up a run and picked up two more saves on the week.

Daniel Schlereth, 4 IP, 3 H, R, 4 BB, 5 K
Schlereth needs to find a way to get past these walks if he’s going to nudge his way into the Tiger bullpen.

Alfredo Figaro, 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 2 K
Two runs in five plus innings isn’t bad, but allowing ten baserunners against two strikeouts isn’t the way to state your case as a big leaguer.

Player of the Week, Brennan Boesch, RF

This was close between Boesch and Wells, but Boesch’s callup pushed him over the top. Besides, he was 9 for 19 (.474), so it’s not like this was a charity case. Of those nine hits, one was a double and another was a homer. He was also able to steal a base and nail a runner before getting rushed away to Texas for his first big league game.

Pitcher of the Week, Armando Galarraga

Galarraga must be making some of those Tiger starters a little nervous. Unfortunately for him, the ones who have struggled are the ones with the tightest grip on their spots in the rotation. That’s okay, because he seems content to keep letting the Tigers know they have another big leaguer in Toledo. He pitched a gem on Tuesday, giving up three hits, no runs and no walks in seven innings while striking out six.

Injuries and transactions:

Ryan Strieby and Ruddy Lugo went on the disabled list. Brennan Boesch was called up to Detroit. Deik Scram was called up to fill in for Boesch and Clete Thomas was activated from the DL today.

Erie SeaWolves

Overall Record: 7-9
Week of 4/18 - 4/24: 5-2

4/18: Altoona, Won, 8-2, WP: Andy Oliver, SV: Brooks Brown
4/19: Bowie, Won, 5-3, WP: Jon Kibler, SV: Luis Marte
4/20: Bowie, Won, 7-2, WP: Lauren Gagnier, SV: Luis Marte
4/21: Bowie, Lost, 3-5, LP: Duane Below
4/22: @Altoona, Lost, 2-3, LP: Thad Weber
4/23: @Altoona, Won, 6-4, WP: Brooks Brown, SV: Luis Marte
4/24: @Altoona, Won, 4-3, WP: Jon Kibler, SV: Ryan Ketchner

Runs scored: 35
Runs allowed: 22

Erie’s success at the plate and in close games this week nearly brought them all the way back from a dreadful eight game losing streak to start the season. They are not without their challenges going forward, though, as we will have to see how their lineup responds to losing Deik Scram. He homered twice this past week and was starting to heat up after a slow start.

On the mound, the Wolves enjoyed a pretty good week from their starters with only Duane Below and Andy Oliver suffering through rocky starts. Everything else was more than acceptable from their rotation and their bullpen gave up a grand total of three runs on the week despite having to throw 20 2/3 innings.

Top prospects’ results:

Wilkin Ramirez, CF, 8/27 (.296), 2 2b, 3b, HR, 3 BB, 11 K, 0/3 SB, 1 assist
Ramirez had a good enough week at the plate before you get to all those strikeouts. His being caught stealing four times already is frustrating as well.

Deik Scram, RF/DH, 6/24 (.250), 2 2b, 2 HR, BB, K, 2/2 SB
Scram was promoted after a game in which he had three extra base hits. He had a slow start, but will be interesting to watch in Toledo as his promotion has been a long time coming.

Cale Iorg, SS, 5/25 (.200), 2b, HR, BB, 7 K, 4/4 SB, 3 E
All three errors came in one game but Iorg’s defense isn’t what we need to worry about. The low average and the disparity between walks and strikeouts continue to cast serious doubt on his chances of hitting enough to move up to Detroit.

Audy Ciriaco, 3b, 6/18 (.333), 2b, HR, 2 BB, K, 3/3 SB, E
Ciriaco came back from the disabled list and got right down to making up for lost time. He hit the ball well and only struck out one time in addition to nabbing three bases in as many tries.

Andy Oliver, 11 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 7 K
He’s still struggling to miss bats and his second start was a little rocky, but I’m okay with what he’s done so far considering his debuting at Double A.

Luis Marte, 3 IP, 3 K
Marte faced nine batters and retired all nine on the way to earning a couple of saves. He seems to be the Wolves’ closer of choice when he’s available. It looks like Erie may be taking it easy on his arm, though.

Jared Gayhart, IP, H, 2 K
Gayhart did fine in his one game this week, but it was his first outing since getting tagged for six runs back on the 15th.

Player of the Week, Andy Dirks, LF

Dirks was 8 of 24 (.333) on the week and those eight hits included a double and a homer. He also mixed in five walks, two stolen bases (in 3 tries) and an outfield assist. I continue to be impressed with Dirks’ ability to make good use of what skills he possesses, good speed, good defense and an understanding of the strike zone.

Pitcher of the Week, Lauren Gagnier

Gagnier turned in the Wolves’ best start of the week on a week when that wasn’t all that easy to do. He went 7 2/3 innings, giving up just four hits, two runs and a walk while striking out seven. He did give up his first homer but continues to give Erie the best innings of any of the starters.

Lakeland Flying Tigers

Overall Record: 9-7
Week of 4/18 - 4/24: 4-2

4/18: Brevard County, Won, 3-2, WP: Luke Putkonen, SV: Lester Oliveros
4/19: Brevard County, Postponed by Rain
4/20: Brevard County, Won, 5-3, WP: Mark Sorensen, SV: Lester Oliveros
4/21: Clearwater, Won, 6-2, WP: Bryan Villarreal
4/22: @Clearwater, Lost, 2-3, LP: Matt Hoffman
4/23: Clearwater, Lost, 4-8, LP: Charlie Furbush
4/24: Tampa, Won, 13-7, WP: Ramon Garcia

Runs scored: 33
Runs allowed: 25

The Flying Tigers pounded their way to better than five runs per game with a number of hitters turning in fine weeks at the plate. Perhaps the most intriguing of the bunch is Daniel Fields, who was 7 for 19 (.368) with a double and a triple after being called up to fill in for Ben Guez, who was called up to Toledo to fill in for an injured Clete Thomas. He may prove to be a bit over his head at this level, but he’s done a fine job of hiding it thus far. 

Hitting wasn’t the only story, as Lakeland started the week 4 for 4 in terms of quality starts. Furbush and Putkonen finished out the week falling on some hard times, but overall it was a good week for the rotation. The bullpen was fine, too, even though Hoffman took a loss and Crichton was roughed up late in a game that had been largely decided (the 13-7 win on Saturday). 

Top prospects’ results:

Gustavo Nunez, SS, 8/23 (.348), 2b, 2 BB, K, 2/4 SB
Continuing to show his game on offense is all about speed and batting average, although it’s good to see him limit himself to one strikeout and no errors.

Billy Nowlin, DH/1b, 5/17 (.294), 2b, 4 K
All four strikeouts came in a game where he took the golden sombrero. The lack of power to this point (2 XBH) is more surprising to me than the struggles overall (.208/.240/.250, BB, 9 K).

Daniel Fields, CF, 7/19 (.368), 2b, 3b, BB, 5 K, 3/3 SB, 1 assist
He joined the team and has hit pretty well considering this is his first real stint in the pros. He’s also doing a good job of flashing his athleticism.

John Murrian, C, 1/11 (.091), BB, K, E
Murrian is showing the jump to Hi A from Short season ball isn’t easy. Murrian has struggled in a big way (.065/.121/.065), and he’s still looking for his first extra base hit.

Luke Putkonen, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, BB, 8 K
Left his second start in the second inning, but I haven’t heard what the problem may have been. He had been pitching pretty well overall.

Lester Oliveros, 2 IP, 3 H, R, 4 K.
Oliveros was pitching very well before a problem with the bicep on his throwing arm (not thought to be serious) landed him on the disabled list.

Adam Wilk, 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, K
Wilk continued to live on relatively harmeless contact as he struck out only one in a good start.

Charlie Furbush, 4.1 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 7 K
Continues to get strikeouts (22 in 15 IP) but is also getting hit hard (22 H and 3 HR already). We’ll have to see if his luck with batted balls comes around.

Austin Wood, IP, 3 K
Came back from the DL with a perfect inning, striking out the side.

Player of the Week, Rawley Bishop, 1b

It would be nice if Bishop could pass the secret of his success along to John Murrian. Both are trying to make the jump from Oneonta, but Bishop is having a much easier go at it so far. He was 8 for 17 (.471) this week with a double, two homers and a stolen base.

Pitcher of the Week, Brayan Villarreal

Villarreal continues to torch Florida State League hitters as his nine strikeouts in his start this week (6 IP, 3 H, R, HR, BB, 9 K) gives him 26 on the season compared with just two walks. He doesn’t have the frame (6’0”, 170 lbs) Dombrowski and the Tigers seem to prefer, but the Tigers have to like the early returns on his 2010 season.

Injuries and transactions:

Lester Oliveros and Tyler Stohr both went on the disabled list. They were replaced in the bullpen with Robert Waite and Austin Wood.

A week after losing Ben Guez to the Mud Hens, the Flying Tigers have to give up Chris White to Erie. Chao-Ting Tang was the replacement they received from extended spring training.

West Michigan Whitecaps

Overall Record: 6-11
Week of 4/18 - 4/24: 1-6

4/18: Great Lakes, Lost, 2-5, LP: Trevor Feeney
4/19: Great Lakes, Lost, 3-5, LP: Jade Todd
4/20: @Dayton, Lost, 0-3, LP: Victor Larez
4/21: @Dayton, Lost, 2-5, LP: Geovany Soto
4/22: @Dayton, Won, 8-3, WP: Ramon Lebron
4/23: South Bend, Lost, 1-3, LP: Trevor Feeney
4/24: South Bend, Lost, 0-3, LP: Jade Todd

Runs scored: 16
Runs allowed: 27

This was a pretty dreadful week for the Caps’ hitters. Half their runs came in their only win and they were shutout twice. You might be encouraged to find out they walked 25 times in these seven games, but any promise in that number is washed away by the knowledge that they struck out 62 times. Jamie Johnson and Wade Gaynor were the only hitters to hit better than .250 on the week.

The pitchers had their share of struggles, but should have enjoyed better results than 1-6. They have up a hair under four runs a game in a league where the average is up around 4.6. The starters gave them three quality starts and while a few starters couldn’t last into the sixth, only Feeney on Sunday gave up more than three runs. They were simply hamstrung by the fact that there were times when any lead seemed insurmountable.

Top prospects’ results:

Hernan Perez, SS, 6/27 (.222), BB, 9 K
Avoiding adding any errors to what had been a quickly elevating total.

Wade Gaynor, 3B, 8/24 (.333), 2 2b, 6 BB, 4 K, 1/1 SB, 2 E
One of the few bright spots offensively but a little more power would be welcome.

Avisail Garcia, RF, 4/27 (.148), 2b, 8 K, 1 assist
More struggles for the raw young talent.

Giovanni Soto, 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 K, HR
He’s flown under the radar as a late round pick, but he’s been impressive in his three starts so far.

Melvin Mercedes, 1.2 IP, H, BB, K
Closers aren’t called on too much when their team is in the middle of such a bad stretch.

Ramon Lebron, 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 3 K, HR
Control is obviously going to be a stubborn issue for Lebron, but he did pick up the team’s only win.

Player of the Week, Jamie Johnson, CF

This isn’t even close. In a week where the team had 46 hits and only 10 went for extra bases, Johnson had 11 of the hits and 4 doubles. He batted .440 on the week and led the team in hits, runs (6), doubles, runs batted in (3) and walks (6).

Pitcher of the Week, Jade Todd

Todd took losses this week and stands at 0-3 on the season, but it was an impotent lineup that has led him to this point. He was just fine in his two starts, going a combined 11 innings and striking out 13 compared to just 2 walks. He gave up 10 hits and five runs (2 unearned) but certainly put the team in position to win in both games.

Injuries and transactions:

None that were evident

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