Daily Farm Round-Up: 4-8-16

The Chihuahuas and Missions both notched their first wins of the season in close games. The TinCaps fell to 0-2 after 2015 2nd round pick Austin Smith made his full season debut.
Hitting Prospect of the Day: Carlos Asuaje
Pitching Prospect of the Day: Cory Mazzoni
El Paso Chihuahuas 8, Reno Aces 6
Manuel Margot – CF: 0-3, 2BB, Run scored
Jose Pirela – LF: 1-4, BB, Run scored
Hunter Renfroe – RF: 1-5, RBI, 2K, Run scored
James Loney – 1B: 2-5, RBI, Run scored
Austin Hedges – C: 1-5, RBI
Alexi Amarista – 3B: 2-2, 2B, 2BB, 2 Runs scored
Carlos Asuaje – 2B: 2-4, HR(1), 2RBI, Run scored
Daniel McCutchen – SP: 5.0 IP, 8H, 6ER, 2BB, 3K, HR Allowed
Cory Mazzoni – RP: 1.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K (S, 1)
Notes: Similarly to the Padres, El Paso’s first runs of the season came during a 6 run inning. Carlos Asuaje hit the first Chihuahuas home run of 2016 with a 2 run blast in the 4th. James Loney made his organizational debut after being signed by the Padres this week. Loney was solid with 2 hits and an RBI while playing first base. With Brett Wallace currently in the big leagues Loney may not see a lot of time with the Padres this year, but he’s a valuable depth piece.
San Antonio Missions 5, Springfield Cardinals 4
Auston Bousfield – CF: 2-4, Run scored
Jose Rondon – SS: 1-3, BB, K, Run scored
Nick Torres – LF: 1-2, HR(1), 2RBI, 2 Runs scored
Yeison Asencio – RF: 1-4
Gabriel Quintana – 3B: 1-3
Rocky Gale – C: 0-3, BB, K
Bryan Rodriguez – SP: 4.2 IP, 8H, 2ER, 1BB, 3K
Jason Jester – RP: 1.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K (S, 1)
Notes: Nick Torres hit the first Double-A home run of his career in tonight’s game. Torres only hit 5 home runs last year over 499 ABs split between the Storm and the TinCaps so it’s nice to see him notch a home run early this year. Taylor Lindsey also hit a home run this game; Lindsey was a top 100 prospect at the beginning of the 2014 season, but two unproductive seasons in a row have seen his star dim a bit.
Lake Elsinore Storm 4, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6
Franchy Cordero – CF: 0-3, BB, 2K
Luis Urias – 2B: 1-4, K
Javier Guerra – SS: 0-4, 2K
Trae Santos – 1B: 0-3, BB, 3K, Run scored
Fernando Perez – 3B: 2-4, HR(1), 2RBI, K, Run scored
Josh VanMeter – DH: 1-4, HR(1), 2RBI, K, Run scored
Thomas Dorminy – SP: 2.2 IP, 4H, 5R, 2ER, 2BB, 2K (L, 0-1)
Notes: The Quakes won this game off the strength of a 5 run 3rd inning that was extended by a throwing error from Javier Guerra. Trae Santos has enjoyed a nice start to this season as he has 3 hits, a home run, and 3 RBIs over the season’s first 2 games. Josh VanMeter hit his first home run as a member of the Storm; it was just his 4th home run of his career, and his first since 2014.
Fort Wayne TinCaps 2, Lake County Captains 3
Rod Boykin – LF: 0-4, 4K
Ruddy Giron – SS: 0-4
Michael Gettys – CF: 1-4, RBI, K
Brad Zunica – 1B: 1-4, K
River Stevens – DH: 2-3, 2B, Run scored
Peter Van Gansen – 2B: 2-2, 2BB, Run scored
Austin Smith – SP: 2.1 IP, 6H, 3ER, 2BB, 3K (L, 0-1)
Notes: The TinCaps lost a consecutive game by 1 run against the Captains. The Padres’ 1st pick in the 2015 draft, Austin Smith, did not fare well in his initial start of the season. Smith also had a rough go in the Arizona Rookie League last year, but scouts say Smith has easy velocity and the makings of quality pitches in his breaking ball and changeup.