Minor Notes: Notes from the field; rain hurting Portland's field

Here are Monday's minor league notes:

• Chaz Fiorino wrote SoxProspects' latest Notes from the Field, giving scouting reports on this week's pitcher of the week Kutter Crawford (pictured) and last year's third-round pick, infielder Brett Netzer.
  
• The weather has not been good to the Northeast, as Portland has had six postponements this year, five of which were at home. The rain has been so bad in Maine that when combined with redoing the infield dirt, the Sea Dogs' entire series with Reading was washed out.
• Pawtucket has had slightly better luck, with only three postponements, including Opening Day being moved due to snow.
• Crawford was also on the mound when Greenville won its first series of the season on Sunday. Saturday's Cup of Coffee details how the Drive broke the streak in walk-off fashion and on Monday, our James Dunne discussed their series-clinching victory.
• WEEI's Rob Bradford wrote on Thursday about the odd Roenis Elias trade, which went down last week. Elias was never able to find his place and was sent back to Seattle for a player to be named later or cash.
• Bobby Dalbec has been hitting well, but striking out a lot. The Boston Globe's Alex Speier explored the changing trend in baseball, where strikeouts are up, but power is not down.
• Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald went into detail on what's been happening with Portland's rain-soaked infield.
• Thomas also profiled Tate Matheny and Nick Lovullo, whose fathers are both managing major league teams.
• Jalen Beeks was one of Saturday's top performers according to MLB Pipeline.
• Yawkey Way will return to its former name of Jersey Street, as Boston's Public Improvement Commission unanimously voted on Thursday.

Players of the Week

Jerry Downs, 1B, Salem

6 G, 20 AB, 8 H, 3 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K, .400/.435/.550

The 24-year-old is in the midst of his third professional season, and so far, this is his best statistically. He is slashing .337/.404/.482 in the early going, though with 20 strikeouts to five walks. Downs has hits in eight of his last 10 games, including three on Sunday. He has recorded three base hits in three of his last 10 games.

Kutter Crawford, RHP, Salem

2 GS, 10 IP, 0-0, 0.90 ERA, 10 H, 3 BB, 15 K, 1.30 WHIP

Crawford was selected out of Florida Gulf Coast in the 16th round of the 2017 Draft and after pitching one inning in Lowell last season, he earned a promotion to Salem where he has pitched very well to begin the year. Crawford has struck out 36 batters to only six walks in 24 innings, which is 13.5 K/9 and a 6.00 K/BB ratio. The tiny walk number also has contributed to a 1.12 WHIP. Hitters have only been able to slash .223/.284/.266 against him in 2018.

Photo Credit: Kutter Crawford by Kelly O'Connor

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