June 14, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Coffey homers in fourth straight; Hickey leads WooSox rout
6/14 Cup of Coffee: The bats were wide awake on the farm, with several standout individual performances and each affiliate scoring at least six runs. The Nathan Hickey-led Worcester lineup was nigh unstoppable, collecting 14 runs on 18 hits to support a strong Josh Winckowski start. Cutter Coffey (pictured) went deep yet again in Greenville's victory, while Antonio Anderson broke out of his slump to lead Salem. Portland was the only affiliate to fall on Thursday despite the continued excellence of Kyle Teel. The DSL teams got the sweep, with Vladimir Asencio leading the way.
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It was a relentless assault by a Worcester lineup that notched 18 hits and 26 baserunners, highlighted by a seven-run fourth inning. Nathan Hickey had a double, walk, and five RBI as part of his 3-for-5 line. Nick Sogard and Eddy Alvarez included doubles in their respective three-hit nights, while Tyler Heineman also registered three knocks. Chase Meidroth had a single and three walks out of the leadoff spot. He has walked 14 times in June, and his 51 free passes on the season place him third in all of minor league baseball. Romy Gonzalez got to join in the fun as he started his rehab assignment, going 1 for 2 with a walk. With two singles, Nick Yorke has now hit safely in all eight games since his promotion to Worcester and 10 games overall.
The outburst was more than enough support for a sharp Josh Winckowski. He allowed one run on three hits in six innings, striking out eight without issuing a walk. He threw 51 of his 75 pitches for strikes on his way to his longest outing since September 2022. Bailey Horn, Jorge Benitez, and Ryan Zeferjahn pitched in with a perfect inning each out of the bullpen.
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The Sea Dogs were unable to hold an early 4-0 lead in the organization's only loss on Thursday. Blaze Jordan got the scoring started with a first-inning two-run homer in his second game since rejoining the club. Jordan also singled and stole a base. Kyle Teel reached base four times, going 2 for 3 with a walk and a hit batsman, scoring three of the six Portland runs. Phillip Sikes was 2 for 4 with a double, walk, and two runs scored. Caleb Bolden got his first professional start, allowing one run on five hits in three innings. Wyatt Olds took the loss in relief, going three innings and allowing two home runs as part of his five runs allowed (two earned). Christopher Troye made his first appearance since May 3, going one inning and allowing a solo homer.
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Cutter Coffey has caught fire for the Drive, homering in his fourth straight contest. The 20-year-old shortstop blasted a two-run shot in the second inning, giving the Drive a 6-0 lead. Asheville, seemingly jittery from having had enough Coffey, walked him in three of his other four plate appearances. Miguel Bleis showed why he is one of the most dynamic prospects in the game, going 1 for 4 with a walk, two runs scored, two stolen bases, and an impressive outfield assist. The hit was his first in three games since his promotion from Salem. Ahbram Liendo and Allan Castro both had two hits, with Liendo scoring twice and Castro driving in a pair. Hayden Mullins turned in a strong start, allowing two runs on three hits in five innings, striking out 10 without issuing a walk. The 10 punchouts mark a career high for the 2022 12th-round pick.
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Salem recorded 13 hits, with leadoff hitter Antonio Anderson (pictured, right) setting the table. Anderson, who entered the contest hitting just .127 and on a 5-for-54 skid, was 3 for 4 with a double, walk, two RBI, and two runs scored. It was the first career three-hit game for the 2023 third-rounder. Freili Encarnacion doubled and drove in a pair during his 2-for-5 night, while Juan Montero had a two-run homer along with a single and a walk. Luis Cohen cruised for four scoreless innings allowing just one hit, but he could not escape the fifth inning before Fayetteville reached him for four runs. Michael Sansone got credit for the win in relief, giving up two runs (one earned) in 4 2/3.
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FCL Red Sox vs. FCL Braves, postponed
Yet another rainout in the FCL, as the Sox have not gotten a game in since Saturday. The two teams will try to make this one up as part of a doubleheader on June 18.
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After starting out his professional career 0 for 16, top international signee Vladimir Asencio ripped a pair of hits out of the leadoff spot to key the victory for Team Blue. Asencio added a walk and a stolen base, scoring two runs and driving in a pair. Justin Gonzales was 1 for 2 with a triple, two walks, hit batsman, and two RBI. The pitching staff also took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, as Trent Wilson and William Reynoso combined for five hitless frames. Both pitchers did allow a run, though Wilson's was charged as unearned. Wilson also struck out five against just one walk in his three innings of work.
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Christopher Alvarado stole the show for the Red squad on his last day as a 16-year-old. The second baseman went 3 for 4 with a double, walk, stolen base, two runs scored, and three RBI, accounting for five of the six Team Red runs. Each member of the Red lineup reached base at least once in the win. Madinson Frias went three innings, allowing an unearned run on three hits, striking out three and walking one. Jose Martinez picked up the win out of the bullpen, giving up one run in three frames.
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Player of the Day: There were several worthy candidates on Thursday, notably Antonio Anderson and Nathan Hickey, but Cutter Coffey gets the nod both for his effort in Greenville's win as well as an acknowledgment of how scorching hot he has suddenly become. Coffey started June just 2 for 26, dipping his season slash line to .186/.260/.331. While he's homered in each of the last four contests, his production hasn't stopped there--he is 8 for 16 with seven RBI and five runs scored during that stretch, increasing his OPS by .157 to an overall .224/.300/.448 mark. Coffey, a 2022 second-round draft pick, is currently ranked 35th in the system.
Photo Credit: Cutter Coffey, Antonio Anderson by Kelly O'Connor