Florida Marlins Baseball

Down on The Farm

Every week, Floridamarlinsbaseball will highlight what's going on inside and outside the Marlins system. Stuff fans want to know about yet the media cannot cover. So tune in and we will fill you in what's happening in the Florida State League, Zebulon, North Carolina or Albuquerque.

Player Spotlight: Kevin Randel Carolina Mudcats (Class AA)

Randel might be another name added to the 2002 draft class success that has Jeremy Hermida, Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen, and Robert Andino already seeing major league action. Randel has powerful numbers for a second baseman: .283-12-48. In order to get serious looks from Marlins GM Larry Beinfest, the Long Beach State grad needs to do what he did best in college: have his walk total surpass his strikeouts to show plate patience. Since drawing 43 walks and k'ing 42 times his last season for the 49ers, Randel nearly twice as much. Last season Randel walked 58 times but struck out 95 times. I wouldn't be surprised if Randel gets called up when Major League rosters expand to 40 players in September. If the Marlins are out of the playoff hunt by then expect Randel to see some action.

Albuquerque Isotopes
Overview: 58-61 11.5 GB
Top Hitters: Robert Andindo .251-7-39, Mike Kinkade .324-4-48, Jason Wood .282-11-68
Top Pitchers: Nick Ungs 8-9-4.26, Renyel Pinto 8-2-3.40, Brad Clontz 6-4-4.15-17 Saves

Game of the week: 8/11 Topes 4 Nashville Sound 2

Yusmeiro Petit was the star during the series opener against the Sound. The Marlins pitcher who has bounced from the majors to AAA pitched sevewn solid innings allowing just two runs while striking out four and scattering five hits. The Topes manufactered four runs off eight timely hits. The four runs were scored by two sacrifices, a double play, and a single.

News: Isotopes outfielder Eric Reed has a 17 game hitting streak as of the end of the weekend.

Carolina Mudcats
Overview: 32-38 11.5 GB 1st Half
22-28 8 GB 2nd Half
Top Hitters: Lee Mitchell .244-11-48, Kevin Randel .283-12-48, Ryan Bear .254-6-49
Top Pitchers: Paul Mildren 10-7-3.85, James Russ 6-8-3.79, Adam Bostick II 8-7-3.52

Game of the Week: 8/9 Mudcats 3 Birmingham Barons 2

Starting pitcher James Russ appeared to be in trouble after four and a half innings. Despite pitching seven innings, Russ's squad was down 2-0. The Mudcats finally got a run across Barons starter Adam Russell in the home portion of the fifth. The run scored off a wild throw by Barons catcher Wally Rosa. An inning later Barons reliever Arnie Munoz blew a save after his balk scored Kevin Randel.The game was eventually decided off a solo homer by Mitchell in the seventh.

Jamestown Jammers

Class A Short Season

New York-Penn League
Overview: 25-27
Top hitters: Jacob Blackwood .332-2-23, John Raynor .265-3-17, Spike McDougall .285-1-25
Top Pitchers: Kyle Winters 5-4-2.47, Graham Taylor 3-4-2.31, Brett Sinkbeil 2-0 1.23

Game of the Week: 8/13 Jammers 4 Staten Island 3

Starter Winters pitched 7 2/3 innings giving up two runs and scattered four hits. The Jammers scored four runs off three RBI singles hit in the first, fourth, and sixth innings by Jacob Blackwood, Blake Ochoa, and McDougall respectively. The game was ultimately decided by an up-the-middle single by Justin Webb in the eighth.

Posted by Brian Saal on Monday, August 14, 2006 at 12:59 PM | Permalink