Diamondbacks Minor League Report 4/18/2023

The Diamondbacks minor league affiliates combined for a 2-2 record. Reno played an all-around solid game to defeat Salt Lake 9-3, Amarillo got very poor pitching in a 16-6 to NW Arkansas, Hillsboro couldn't overcome an early deficit in a 8-3 loss to Eugene, and Visalia rode strong pitching and a big inning to defeat Stockton 3-1.

Triple-A

LHP Tommy Henry turned in a quality start for Reno, allowing just two runs on four hits, no walks, and six strikeouts. He had good fastball command, sitting 87-92 MPH, and was able to use that to finish hitters with his secondary pitches. On the day, Henry threw an efficient 78 pitches to get through those six innings. After another terrible start by Madison Bumgarner, could the D-backs make a change and call up Henry?

Dominic Fletcher had two hits, a walk, and scored three runs from the leadoff spot for Reno. His hardest-hit ball was a triple to the right center gap, which was clocked with an exit velocity of 97.0 MPH. Fletcher also added a double in the ninth inning on a ground ball that barely stayed fair and trickled into the right field corner. In his last seven games, Fletcher is hitting .296/.487/.593 with a double, two triples, two home runs, and seven walks. His hot streak should put pressure on young outfielders Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas to perform at the big league level.

Double-A

Ryan Bliss had three hits from the leadoff spot, pushing his batting average up to a league-leading .442 with a 1.093 OPS. His two singles were a line drive to left field and a hard grounder through the right side of the infield, and his triple was a result of the right fielder misplaying a sinking liner. Bliss was also 1-for-2 on stolen base attempts, stealing second without a throw in the first inning and was thrown out to end the fourth inning on a correctly timed pitchout.

Jordan Lawlar hit a first inning home run that gave Amarillo a 2-0 lead. Lawlar clobbered what looked like a hanging slider for his third home run of the season, which cleared the porch area in the left field stands on the fly. He added a walk in the third inning and drove in a third run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The D-backs No. 3 prospect is off to a great start, hitting .290/.425/.645 with three home runs and more walks (7) than strikeouts (6) in his first nine games.

IT'S A 2-0 LEAD BECAUSE THE LAW SAID SO.

💪🤠@jordanlawlar pic.twitter.com/W4Ka3VB4OM
— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) April 19, 2023

High-A

Wilderd Patino had two hits and a walk in his five plate appearances. One of his hits went for a hustle double, which was the result of the third baseman whiffing on a ground ball hit to his right. He walked and stole second without a throw in the fifth inning, his eighth steal of the season already. It's not surprising considering he stole 67 bases in 94 games last season.

Low-A

Druw Jones collected two more hits in five at-bats, including an RBI double that capped a three-run seventh for Visalia. After starting 1-for-19 on the season in his first five games, Jones is now five for his last 17 at the plate with a double and two walks in his last four games.