The Lake Elsinore Storm have played 28 games in the 2011 season and are 9-19 overall, eight games back in their division. Quite a disappointing beginning for a team with a lot of talent in their lineup. The explanation starts with the fundamentals of baseball: solid execution. Poor defense and lack of execution at the plate started them off on the wrong foot. The pitching has been inconsistent, except for a few of the bullpen members.

This all adds up to an overall poor performance although there have been some good performances from certain individuals. During this past week, CF Reymond Fuentes has gotten hot and raised his average from .306 to .330 over that period.

For the past week the Storm completed a series against the San Jose Giants, the single A team for the SF Giants, losing 2 of 3. They then played a four game series against the Bakersfield Blaze, losing 3 of the 4. The last game of the week was the first game of a series against the Stockton Ports, which was also a loss.

The starting pitching has been rather brutal during this period with relievers picking up the 2 wins.

There have been a couple of hot hitters carrying the majority of the offense for the Storm. Besides Fuentes there has been good production from 3B/DH Jedd Gyorko (.385), 3B/DH Eddie Rincon (.337) and some contributions from 1B Nate Freiman and utility man Dean Anna. But Rincon continues with his error-laden defense, contributing 4 more this past week.

Catcher Jason Hagerty went on the DL with a groin contusion and Eddy Rodriquez was called up from extended spring training. Rodriquez is a 25 yr old journeyman catcher signed by the Padres for depth at the position.

Pitcher Adam Schrader was brought in from extended spring training to replace reliever Stiven Osuna, who fractured his right foot and is on the DL.

So, let’s talk about some good stuff….

CF Rey Fuentes was obtained by the Padres in the Adrian Gonzalez trade and was selected by the Red Sox in the 1^st round of the 2009 draft, as an 18 yr old. He is a native of Puerto Rico, 6-1, 165 lbs who throws and hits left-handed. In his first season with the Padres, Fuentes will see lots of playing time with the Storm. His line so far:

27 games, 106 AB, 6 2B, 2 3B, 6 RBI, 6 BB, 22 SO, 9 SB, 4 CS for a .330/.368/.425 line.

The scouts see him as an athletic, wiry line drive hitter who makes good contact and has gap-to-gap power but not a home run hitter. He has great swing mechanics, turns on inside pitches well but needs work on his pitch recognition. His plus plus speed, along with excellent range and glove makes him a solid centerfielder with solid instincts and gets good jumps on balls. His only real drawback is that he is not considered to have a good arm. A cousin of Carlos Beltran, he is not the same type of player and is not considered a 5-tool guy. But his defense should be great and he will be able to put the ball in play to all fields when he reaches his maturity. His projected arrival in the major leagues is about 2014. The Padres have some terrific CF prospects in their system and watching them all develop should be fun as there will be quite a traffic jam if they all stay within the system.