On-Deck with the Captains: Week 5

By: Lianna Holub

Record: 16-19

Game Results:

May 6th - Bowling Green, 6 @ Lake County, 3 (Loss: Cook)
May 7th - Lake County, @ Lansing, 7 (Loss: Dew)
May 8th - Lake County, 6 @ Lansing, 9 (Loss: Goodnight)
May 9th - Lake County, 9 @ Lansing, 5 (Win: Rayl)
May 10th - Lake County, 2 @ Dayton, 4 (Loss: Blair)
May 11th - Lake County, 1 @ Dayton, 3 (Loss: Cook)
May 12th - Lake County, 2 @ Dayton, 3 (Loss: Encarnacion)

Transactions:

May 6th - Jason Smit promoted to Kinston from Lake County
May 6th - Levon Washington assigned to Lake County from Extended Spring Training
May 12th - Owen Dew placed on the Disabled List
May 12th - Trey Haley promoted to Lake County from Mahoning Valley
May 12th - Luis Encarnacion assigned to Lake County from Extended Spring Training (roster is now at 25 players)

Notes on Offense:

Outfielder Anthony Gallas was named the Midwest League's Player of the Week for the week ending May 8th. During that span, Gallas hit .433 with five doubles, three RBI and six runs scored. Currently, Gallas is batting .348 with three homeruns, 12 RBI and 14 doubles. Gallas leads the Midwest League in doubles.

2010 second round pick Levon Washington made his professional debut on Friday, May 6th versus Bowling Green. He went 1/4 with a run scored, a stolen base, a walk
and a strikeout. In six games this week, Washington hit .200 with a stolen base, a double, and a run scored. He also threw out a runner at home. Probably not the start that he wanted to his career, but I think Levon will figure things out.

Catcher Alex Lavisky looks absolutely lost in the batter's box. It is almost too painful to watch (I had a similiar slump to start my college softball career). In the past week, Lavisky batted .071 (1/14) in four games. On the season, Alex is batting .190 in 26 games with three homeruns and 14 RBI.

Shortstop Nick Bartolone continues to struggle at the plate and on the field. "Rango" has made 15 errors in the field while hitting a measly .160 (just over his listed weight). This week was not any better. Nick hit .111 with three RBI, four strikeouts and one run scored. Bartolone is going to have to pick it up on one or both sides of the ball to avoid a demotion.

Carlos Moncrief is on a roll. With the promotion of Washington, Moncrief moved over to right field and to the number two spot in manager Ted Kubiak's line up. He did not miss a beat, and is quietly having a decent season for the Captains. For the week, Moncrief may have only hit .240, but the speedy outfielder drove in three runs, drew two walks, scored three runs, and stole two bases.

Hitter of the Week:

The Hitter of the Week for Week Five is outfielder Anthony Gallas. As I mentioned before, Gallas was named the Midwest Player of the Week (week ending May 8th), and continues to pace the Captains offense. This week, the Strongsville native hit .500 (13/26) with five doubles, seven runs scored, a homerun and three walks.

Notes on Pitching:

Mike Rayl was named the Midwest League's Pitcher of the Week, as well as, the Cleveland Indians Minor League Player of the Week (both for the week ending on the 8th). He had one start that week, and allowed one hit and struck out 11 batters. This week in one start, Rayl went five innings, allowing two runs and striking out eight. He picked up the win.

In two starts this week, Cole Cook has had little run support but did not pitch well. In 12.2 innings, Cook gave up nine runs (two of which were unearned runs), and three homeruns. He walked two and struckout five. I attended his start on Friday the 6th, and I thought he pitched well. Well enough to keep the Captains in the game (six runs, but only four of the runs were earned). It seems the Captains offense (and defense) does not show up when he is on the mound (four runs per game, lowest on the team).

It seems like I write on Owen Dew every week and how he struggles. Well, this week is no different. Dew pitched one inning this week (two appearances) and gave up five runs (two were unearned) and two walks. Owen was recently put on the disabled list on May 12th. Maybe the injury could explain his struggles on the mound.

Pitcher of the Week:

Jordan Cooper is this week's Pitcher of the Week. After a rough start to the season, Cooper has settled down and went 5.1 innings this week, allowing no runs and striking out six. On the season, Cooper is 0-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched. He also has nine strikeouts and two walks.

Upcoming Games:

May 13th - West Michigan @ Lake County
May 14th - West Michigan @ Lake County
May 15th - West Michigan @ Lake County
May 16th - Off
May 17th - Fort Wayne @ Lake County
May 18th - Fort Wayne @ Lake County
May 19th - Fort Wayne @ Lake County

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

Posted in: Lake County Captains