Farm Report Week 3: Drew Waters, Cristian Pache leading the way

(8-7) Mississippi Braves (AA)

WEEK 3 RECORD: 5-2

(4/15) Monday: Won 13-4 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts – FULL RECAP

• (P) J. Wentz: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 7 K
• (LF) C. Lien: 2-3, HR, 3B, 2 RBI, BB
• (3B) L. Valenzuala: 2-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Have yourself a day Luis Valenzuala!

Joey Wentz got the short end of the stick on Monday, pitching a great game, but missing out on the win. Despite Michael Mader‘s three earned-runs and three walks (0 strikeouts), the reliever still ended up with the win to improve to 1-2.

Reliever Jason Hursh pitched well, working 2 innings and striking out two. As you can see, the Braves’ bats broke out. Drew Waters went 3-for-6 with a run and two strikeouts, and Christian Pache had two hits and two walks with one RBI.

(4/16) Tuesday: Won 5-3 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts – FULL RECAP

• (P) T. Davidson: 5 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 7 K
• (3B) D. Lockhart: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
• (RF) C.Pache: 2-5, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI, R

The amazement continues as Drew Waters (#6 prospect) keeps hitting Double-A pitching. Waters doubled to right in the 3rd and singled to left in the 9th, also striking out once in between.

After a strong outing by Tucker Davidson, reliever Jonathan Aro came into the game in the 6th and blew the lead. Aro struck out two, but gave up a dinger, earning a blown save; but picked up the win as the Braves offense bailed him out.

Jason Creasy notched his first save, working one inning and striking out one.

(4/17) Wednesday: Won 3-2 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts – FULL RECAP

• (P) I. Anderson: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K
• (RF) C. Pache: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI
• (3B) D. Lockhart: 1-4, HR, RBI, K

It doesn’t particularly make sense why he was pulled after 4.2 innings (only 76 total pitches), but Ian Anderson was yanked with Chattanooga up by 1 (an unearned-run). Regardless, Philip Pfeifer (2 Ks) picked up the win and Jason Hursh (1 K) notched the save.

Christian Pache hit his first homer of the 2019 season, as well as infielder Daniel Lockhart — who made 2 throwing errors Wednesday. Second baseman Alejandro Salazar went 1-for-4 with a strikeout and catcher Carlos Martinez picked up a hit in 4 at-bats also, to round out the Mississippi’s hits.

(4/18) Thursday: Won 5-3 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts – FULL RECAP

• (P) C. Johnstone: 4.1 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 2 K
• (CF) D. Waters: 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI
• (RF) C. Pache: 1-3, HR, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB

It will never get old seeing both Drew Waters and Christian Pache lead their team to victory. The M-Braves won their 4th-straight, with Waters and Pache combining for 4 hits, a HR, 2 doubles and 3 RBI on Thursday.

Conner Johnstone pitched well in his spot start for Mississippi, as he was activated from Triple-A on Thursday morning.

Other offensive contributors consisted of: shortstop Luis Valenzuala (1-for-5 with a RBI), first baseman Andy Wilkins (1-for-3 with a walk), and catcher Jonathan Morales (1-for-2 with a run-scored and two walks).

(4/19) Friday: Lost 4-8 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Muller: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 4 K
• (LF) C. Lien: 2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB
• (C) J. Morales: 1-3, 2B, R, K

In a chilly series finale versus Chattanooga, the M-Braves pitching was very reminiscent of the big league staff, as Mississippi walked a season-high 12 batters.

Conner Lien belted 2 homers, his third in 3 games, but Drew Waters and Christian Pache went hitless and combined for 8 strikeouts.

Kyle Muller (#13 prospect) needed a whopping 59 pitches (only 26 strikes) to get through 1.2 innings. He walked 6 (career-high for him). Michael Mader relieved Muller and worked around just one hit and 5 strikeouts through 3.1 innings.

(4/20) Saturday: Lost 0-5 vs. Montgomery Biscuits – FULL RECAP

• (P) P. Weigel: 2 IP, BB, 3 K
• (P) J. Walker: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, BB, K
• (RF) D. Waters: 1-4, 2B, K

As they continue to ease starter Patrick Weigel (#21 prospect) into the mix, the stats will most likely lack in excitement until he’s a full-go pitch-count wise.

Jeremy Walker pitched well enough in his 5.1 innings of work, but Mississippi could only muster 5 hits on Saturday. Conner Lien (1-for-4 with a strikeout) and Ryan Casteel (1-for-4) added doubles along with Drew Waters, while Christian Pache picked up a single and a walk.

Catcher Carlos Martinez finished 1-for-3 with a strikeout to round out the offense on Saturday.

(4/21) Sunday: Won 7-6 (10 inn.) vs. Montgomery Biscuits – FULL RECAP

• (P) J. Wentz: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 HR
• (CF) D. Waters: 3-5, HR, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB, K
• (SS) R. Didder: 2-4, 2B, RBI, R, K

Easter Sunday was a heck of a day for the young Drew Waters, as he not only led the team in performance; but he also won the game for the Braves on Sunday.

Waters now leads the Southern League with 9 doubles, and is tied for first with 10 XBHs. Ray Patrick-Didder also had a nice game, while breaking an 0-for-20 stretch, connecting for a base-hit and a double.

Joey Wentz gave up three homers in his start on Sunday in 5.2 innings, but due to his stellar run-prevention in his other two starts, his ERA still sits at a solid 2.57. The 20-year-old Waters is now up to a .333 batting average and .904 OPS with 9 doubles and a homer this season.

Hitter(s) of the Week: 

Their stats for Week 3 (beginning April 15).

1A. (OF) Drew Waters: .375 BA, HR, 6 2B, 5 RBI

1B. (OF) Christian Pache: .304 BA, 2 HR, 2B, 3B, 6 RBI

1C. (OF) Conner Lien: .388 BA, 3 HR, 2B, 3B, 6 RBI

It’s close between these three, but Waters won the game for his team on Easter, so…

Pitcher of the Week:

Stats for Week 3 (beginning on April 15)

(SP) Tucker Davidson:  5 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 7 K

Joey Wentz would have had it in the bag with the two-start week, but his three home runs given up on Sunday knocked him out of the running.