Cup of Coffee: Valera impresses in season debut, Arias continues to rake

4/6 Cup of Coffee: A night after the Sox affiliates swept their way to victories, the four levels split ahead of the series finales on Sunday afternoon. Among the games included an exciting season debut for Juan Valera (pictured) as well as a continued hot start for Franklin Arias. 

 

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MIA) 10, 

Worcester Red Sox 6 

Despite a ninth inning rally, Worcester came up short to fall to 3-4 on the young season. Michael Fulmer started the evening and struck out eight Jumbo Shrimp in 3 2/3 innings. The right-hander allowed a pair of hits, three walks to go along with four runs (two earned) in the loss. Jacob Webb finished off the fourth inning before struggling in the fifth, allowing five runs in the frame to put Worcester behind for good. Brian Van Belle and Jose Adames pitched the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing one run between them. 

Entering the ninth inning trailing 10-3, two singles and four walks left the bases loaded for the Red Sox with two outs and the tying run at the plate before Nathan Hickey struck out to end the game. Marcelo Mayer and Nate Eaton led the way offensively with a pair of hits each as top prospect Roman Anthony was given the night off after starting in each of Worcester’s first six ballgames.  

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Portland Sea Dogs 7, Reading Fightin Phils (PHI) 4 

Behind a strong outing from David Sandlin as well as constant traffic on the bases offensively, Portland grabbed its second straight win to kick off the season. 

Sandlin earned the win in his first outing of the year with five innings, scattering three hits and three walks while striking out three. Acquired prior to the start of the 2024 season for reliver John Schreiber, Sandlin experienced some growing pains in his first year with the organization. Many believe Sandlin, along with other arms, can continue to develop and add onto the expansive pitching depth in the upper levels of the organization. 

Offensively, Luis Ravelo paced the Sea Dogs with a pair of hits and RBIs in the win. Jhostynxon Garcia reached base three times, and Corey Rosier and Ahbram Liendo tallied the other RBIs for Portland. Through two games, Rosier leads Portland with six RBIs on just a pair of hits, one of which being a grand slam in the season opener.  

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Bowling Green Hot Rods (TB) 3, Greenville Drive 2 

In what could be described as the game with the most eyeballs on it, 18-year-old Juan Valera, dubbed by many as an arm who could breakout in 2025 made his season debut on the mound. Although the right-hander surrendered three walks and three hits along with two runs, Valera struck out seven in 3 2/3 innings. He threw 46 of his 74 pitches on the evening for strikes and touched 100 mph. Jojo Ingrassia and Jeremy Wu-Yelland accounted for the final 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run while striking out 10. 

 

Offensively, Greenville could only muster five hits, all of which coming before the fifth inning. Kolby Johnson and Karson Simas tallied RBIs in the loss. 

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Salem Red Sox 4, Delmarva Shorebirds (BAL) 2 

Following their commanding Opening Day win on Friday, Salem used a slew of strong pitching performances as well as another standout outing from Franklin Arias to help the Red Sox improve to 2-0.  Salem scored their runs with a pair of runs each in the fifth and seventh innings, with Arias contributing an RBI single in each frame to go along with a trio of hits on the night. Along with Arias, Yoeilin Cespedes, Freili Encarnacion, and Yosander Asencio each had multi-hit evenings in the win. 

On the mound, four pitchers teamed up in the victory. Brady Tygart (2 2/3 innings) and Austin Ehrlicher (2 1/3 innings) combined to toss five scoreless frames. Eybersson Polanco struggled in just 2/3 of an inning, walking three and allowing two hits before Michael Sansone threw the final 3 1/3 frames and just allowing a single run to register the save. 

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Player of the Day: Franklin Arias continued his hot start to the Minor League season, going 3 for 4 with a pair of RBIs in Salem’s victory over Delmarva. In just a pair of games, the teenager has racked up seven hits in nine at bats, with two doubles included. After getting a taste of Salem to end 2024, many hope Arias has made the proper adjustments and looks ready to take the next step in his development.  

 

Photo Credit: Juan Valera by Kelly O'Connor

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