We got some new Dust Devils for the final month of the season. Recently drafted SS Zach Neto was already promoted to AA Rocket City after slashing .200/.355/.400 for a .755OPS. Zach looked great at SS; very natural, strong arm, good footwork. He showed great discipline at the plate as well with hits when they mattered while hitting for some power over just seven games.
We also recently saw two of my favorite pitchers move up the ladder as well RHP Landon Marceaux was promoted to AA Rocket City on 8/2 after winning NW Pitcher of the week. With the Dust Devils this season, Marceaux was lights-out. In 85IP, he owned a 4-5 record with a 2.65ERA in 16 starts. He dominated hitters with 69K-14BB and only 5HR while opponents only hit .246/.240/319 against him.
Just days later, RHP Robinson Pina was promoted to AAA Salt Lake. Pina was equally as excellent for the Dust Devils this season. In 81.2IP, he owned a 6-6 record in 13S and 18 total appearances. He owned a ridiculous 117K-24BB while only allowing 7HR. He held opponents to .290OBP. Best of luck to Pina!
Instead of saying goodbye to some of our favorites climbing up the ladder, let’s do some welcoming. 16th round pick OF Casey Dana out of Connecticut/Seton Hall. The 23yo OF put together a good college resume slashing .280/.368/.486 with 36HR and 167RBI in 221G played at the NCAA level. Dana has burst in the ACL in a small sample size of just 7AB- 1R, 3H, 1RBI and slashing .429/.429/.571 for a 1.000OPS.
We welcome the 2017 4th-round pick out of Roosevelt HS RHP John Swanda. Swanda has been in the minors since 2017, playing between RK and brief appearances at AA Rocket City in 2021. Thus far, in 2022, the 23yo RHP hasn’t played a bunch and has been working through injuries. Between the ACL and Inland, he has thrown for a 2.57ERA over 14IP with 14K-1BB. This is Swanda’s first time pitching with the High-A club.
Lastly, we welcome the 6th round pick in last month's draft RHP Victor Mederos out of Oklahoma St., who could only agree to terms with the club on 8/9/22. Mederos had gotten draft interest going back to the 2020 draft when he was coming out of HS. The command pushed him from a potential 1st round pick in 2020 to the 6th round in this last draft, along with signability. The right can sometimes be wiled, as seen by his 5.21ERA in 2021 with the University of Miami. Mederos has a solid 5-pitch mix with a 4-seam, 2-seamer, curveball, slider, and changeup that each comes from the same arm slot, and the delivery is mechanically sound. The fastball reaches the high 90-s, the slider sits in the low 90s, and the curve is a wipeout pitch. I can’t wait to watch Mederos attack at the High-A level.
In a corresponding roster move, OF Mike Wilson who released by the team. Best of luck to him
I want to thank today's partner of the Podcast- Dano's Seasoning. The tag line for Dan-o's is Yum Yum get you sum, or as my 5yo about the spicey yum, yum spicey some, and it holds up. I have used this on chicken, beef, pork, spaghetti, pasta salad, and dressings. Pretty much everything except a desert. Low sodium, no MSG, no sugar, and all-natural ingredients bring you a world of flavor in one bottle. Go to danosseasoning.com, use the code ballboy at checkout, save money, and support your new favorite Podcast.