Tuesday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Pitching Probables |
| Rochester | OFF DAY | vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 6:45 p.m. | Hernandez (0-1, 8.22) vs. Spence (8-6, 4.59) |
| Harrisburg | OFF DAY | @ Binghamton, 6:35 p.m. | Saenz (3-5, 5.30) vs. Tidwell (2-2, 4.87) |
| Wilmington | OFF DAY | vs. Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m. | Ward (0-0, 0.00) vs. Lange (1-0, 1.86) |
| Fredericksburg | OFF DAY | vs. Lynchburg, 7:05 p.m. | Sthele (0-0, 7.36) vs. Richardson (6-7, 5.17) |
Rochester Red Wings, 22-28, 8th place I.L. East, 9GB – 54-63 Overall
Drew Millas got added to the 40-man a couple days early, thanks to another late-season health issue with Keibert Ruiz and (*gasp*) an injury to a pitcher. Blake Rutherford was optioned to make room but will most likely head right back on Friday when rosters expand to 28 for September. This week, Rochester hosts Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Anderson/Bruford/Wakeman/Howe for six, including a matinee on Wednesday.
Harrisburg Senators, 24-27, 4th place E.L. Southwest, 5GB – 55-64 Overall
Despite winning just three of their last 12, the Senators are still within striking distance of the 2nd half title. They’ll have to do it on the road, where they’ve struggled all season long (21-36 vs. 34-28). Speaking of struggles, Dylan Crews has hit the AA wall in his first six games with three hits, four total bases, and four whiffs in his first six games with Harrisburg. The Sens make their final ’23 trip to upstate NY with six in Binghamton this week.
Wilmington Blue Rocks, 20-34, 6th Place, 12GB, Sally Lg. North – 49-69 Overall
As predicted, the additions of Yohandy Morales and Andrew Pinckney have had the same effect as adding a pair of 7-footers to a HS basketball team as
Wilmington scored four or more runs in five of their first six games, winning the last four in a row. The Blue Rocks finish their 2023 home schedule this week with six against the Renegades.
Fredericksburg Nationals, 28-25, 3rd Place, 3½ GB, C.L. North – 58-58 Overall
Like the Sens, the FredNats are within striking distance of the second-half division leader. Like Wilmington, this is Fredericksburg’s final regular-season homestand of 2023 as second-place Lynchburg comes to town for six, including a day game tomorrow.
To be honest I thought Drew Millas was destined to be an OG guy. Good glove but a non hitter. I mean he hit at an OPS of .576 in Harrisburg last year after a meh 2021 at the plate.
Then he went to the Arizona Fall League and raked big time. It just continued this year, maybe being a switch hitter took some time. Great for him! Someone to really root for.
I thought the same about Millas, and that he was just one of the obligatory catchers that they provide for the AFL team. Then thought it was a nice story that he hit well there, thinking it wouldn’t carry over to the regular season. Makes you wonder if one of the AFL coaches managed to flip a switch with him.
I’m really pleased with Rizzo’s proactivity in promoting these less-heralded prospects. Now let’s hope the orders work their way down to Martinez, who never met a gritty veteran he didn’t love, but so far so good (even if Dom Smith keeps starting every day).
Crews is hitting the NCAA title winning season campaign plus the pros wall .
With all these guys getting MLB looks, it really changes the dynamic of whom I thought would represent the Nationals in the Arizona Fall League.
A month ago, I’d have said Young as an ideal candidate. I imagine they’ll want Crews to get some rest because, save for the time between the CWS and signing with the Nats, he’s been playing since January.
Last year they sent Drew Millas, Darren Baker, Sunk Money Antuna, Brady Lindsley and Will “Lefty” Frizell, as well as pitchers Tim Cate, Lucas Knowles, Orlando Ribalta and Amos “One-Pitch” Willingham.
I would expect they’ll use this year’s crop to audition some guys they are considering protecting from the Rule 5 Draft, but other than that, not sure what they’re gonna do.
You would think that they might back up the truck for the AFL this year and send several top prospects from AA: Wood, House, Hassell, Lipscomb. Hassell would seem to be the one in need of the most work. I agree with Jeff that they may think that Crews has hit a wall with playing time. They might be aggressive with Morales and send him. They usually provide at least two catchers.
Pitchers for the AFL are always a roll of the dice. You never know who is already up against an innings limit. It’s usually guys up for Rule 5 eligibility, like Parker and Herz. It would be ideal for Bennett, if he’s healthy, since he hasn’t pitched a lot this summer.