Daily Farm Round-Up: 4-3-14

Minor League baseball is back! The Padres upper level affiliates, El Paso and San Antonio, both scored 7 runs and won their season openers while the lower level affiliates, Lake Elsinore and Fort Wayne, got blown out in their openers. Top prospects Jace Peterson and Austin Hedges both had strong offensive games while Jesse Hahn, who was acquired from the Rays this offseason, threw 3 no-hit innings.
Hitting Prospect of the Day: Jace Peterson
Pitching Prospect of the Day: Jesse Hahn
El Paso Chihuahuas 7, Reno Aces 5
Reymond Fuentes – LF: 3-6, 2 2B, 2 Runs scored
Rico Noel – CF: 3-6, RBI, K
Kyle Blanks – 1B: 1-3, RBI, BB, K, Run scored
Jeff Francoeur – RF: 2-4, 2B, HR(1), 2RBI, BB, Run scored
Alex Castellanos – 2B: 2-4, 2B, BB, K, Run scored
Ryan Jackson – SS: 2-4, 2B, BB, 2K, Run scored
Juan Pablo Oramas – SP: 3.0 IP, 4H, 3ER, 2BB
Jorge Reyes – RP: 2.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K (W, 1-0)
Kevin Quackenbush – RP: 1.2 IP, 1H, 0 R, 0BB, 2K (S, 1)
Notes: The Chihuahuas are now 1-0 all time! They won their debut game and, if this game is any indication, their offense is going to be strong this year. They scored 7 runs on 17 hits. Jeff Francoeur was particularly strong; he had 2 extra base hits including a 2-run home run. Kevin Quackenbush started off his season strong; he’s never had a bad season in the minor leagues and, should the Padres need bullpen help later in the year, it would not be a surprise to see Quackenbush receive the call to the big leagues.
San Antonio Missions 7, Springfield Cardinals 4
Travis Jankowski – CF: 1-4, Run scored
Cory Spangenberg – 2B: 1-4, 2K, Run scored
Jace Peterson – SS: 3-4, HR(1), 3RBI, 3 Runs scored
Rymer Liriano – LF: 1-4, 2B, RBI, 2K, Run scored
Yeison Asencio – RF: 2-4, 2RBI, Run scored
Austin Hedges – C: 3-4, 2B, RBI
Matt Wisler – SP: 3.0 IP, 6H, 2ER, 0BB, 4K
Jesse Hahn – RP: 3.0 IP, 0H, 0R 3BB, 2K (W, 1-0)
Johnny Barbato – RP: 1.0 IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 3K (S, 1)
Notes: The Missions won their season opener due to strong performances at the plate and on the mound. Jace Peterson, a shortstop who’s not normally known for his power, led the offense with a 3-run home run while also scoring 3 runs. Last year Peterson hit .303 with 7 home runs (both are career highs) for Lake Elsinore. While offensive numbers in the California League need to be taken with a grain of salt, Peterson’s start to his Missions career is promising. On the mound, starter Matt Wisler pitched to mixed results. He struck out 4 batters over 3 innings, but he also allowed 2 runs on 6 hits. Jesse Hahn followed Wisler in relief and did great; he didn’t allow a hit over 3 innings.
Lake Elsinore Storm 2, Lancaster JetHawks 8
Alberth Martinez – CF: 2-3, 2 2B, 2RBI, K
Casey McElroy – DH: 0-3, BB, K
Hunter Renfroe – RF: 0-4, 3K
Gabriel Quintana – 3B: 2-3, BB, K
Diego Goris – 2B: 1-4, K
Corey Adamson – LF: 0-3, BB, Run scored
Joe Ross – SP: 5.0 IP, 8H, 4ER, 2BB, K (L, 0-1)
Notes: It was not a good start for the Storm as they were outplayed across the board. It has been a bad couple of days for the Ross family; Tyson lost to the Dodgers on Wednesday night and Joe lost his first start of the year after allowing 4 runs over 5 innings and only striking out 1. The Padres first round draft pick in 2013, Hunter Renfroe, did not enjoy a successful Storm debut as he struck out 3 times in 4 AB’s.
Fort Wayne TinCaps 0, Great Lakes Loons 9
Mallex Smith – CF: 1-4, 2K
Franchy Cordero – SS: 0-4, 4K
Dustin Peterson – 3B: 1-4, 2B, K
Franmil Reyes – RF: 0-4, 2K
Dane Phillips – DH: 0-3, K
Ryan Miller – C: 1-3, K
Walker Weickel – SP: 3.0 IP, 5H, 5R, 4ER, 2BB, 2K, HR Allowed (L, 0-1)
Notes: There’s really no way to put a positive spin on this game. The TinCaps were stomped. They were outscored 9-0, they committed 2 errors, and they struck out 16 times as a team. Every member of the TinCaps’ lineup had at least 1 strikeout in tonight’s game. Franchy Cordero, a shortstop who has been rising on Padres prospects list, had the worst night at the plate as he went 0-4 and struck out every time. Walker Weickel, a 2012 supplemental 1st round pick, struggled right out of the gate. He spent all of last year at Fort Wayne and posted a 5.04 ERA over 110.2 innings pitched.