Prospect Watch 8/12/08

Another day, another organizational sweep for the Giants. Every team picked up a win with the most crucial victory possibly belonging to the Defenders who downed the Southern Division leading Akron Aeros. They are tied for third and are two games out of a playoff spot with twenty left to go. Onto the lines:

Fresno

2B Travis Denker: 2 for 6, 2 K

RF Ben Copeland: 0 for 4, BB, K

PH Travis Ishikawa: 0 for 1, K

SP Sergio Romo: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Connecticut

3B Ryan Rohlinger: 1 for 3, HR, 2 BB

C Pablo Sandoval: 1 for 4, K

DH Adam Witter: 2 for 4, HR, K

SP Joey Martinez: 7 IP, 3 H, 6 K

RP Justin Hedrick: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K

San Jose

2B Brad Boyer: 3 for 4, HR, K, SB (13)

3B Matt Downs: 2 for 4, 2B, 2 K

SP Kevin Pucetas: 6 IP, 2 H, BB, 7 K

Augusta

2B Nick Noonan: 1 for 5, 2B, 2 K, E (16)

1B Angel Villalona: 1 for 4, K

RP Ryan Paul: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 7(!) K

RP Mitch Lively: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K

Salem-Keizer

RF Francisco Peguero: 1 for 4

DH Michael Ambort: 0 for 3, K

RP Daniel Runzler: 1 IP, 3 K

AZL Giants

CF Wendell Fairley: 1 for 5, K

RF Ben Woodbury: 0 for 2, 2 BB, 2 SB (17)

3B Conor Gillaspie: 1 for 4, 2B, BB

C Jesus Navarro: 2 for 3, BB

SP Javier Hernandez: 6 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 7 K

Notes

RHP Justin Hedrick

Hedrick was drafted in the 6th round of the 2004 draft out of Northeastern University. He throws a FB from 89-92 with a good slider. This is second year in AA, and he has improved on his peripherals, raising his K/9 to 10.50 and lowering his BB/9 to 2.77. Hedrick is a victim of the Giants’ bullpen depth. If he was in a system thinner on pitchers, he would be playing in AAA or riding the option train. As it is relief pitchers are notoriously inconsistent from year to year, so it’s always good to have an extra arm stashed in the minors. It is likely that Justin will finish the year in AA splitting closing duties with Kelvin Pichardo and solidifying Connecticut’s stretch run.