Farmers Only Featured Farmhand: Travis Wood

Today we'll take a closer look at Carolina Mudcat left handed starting pitcher Travis Wood. 

• Travis Wood was selected out of high school in the 2nd round by the Reds in the 2005 draft.
• He was fantastic through rookie ball, and won 10 games at Dayton in 2006.  In 2007, he was average in Sarasota, but tore it up there in the first half of 2008, posting a 2.70 ERA in 9 starts.
• He spent the rest of that season in Chattanooga, and didn't pitch great there, going 4-9 with a 7.09 ERA.
• So far in 2008, he's been great.  He's 1-3 currently, but don't let that record fool you.  His ERA is a stellar 1.38, and opponents are batting .179 against him.
• Scouting reports on Travis indicate that he's got a solid fastball and changeup, but has control problems. evidenced by his 22/21 BB/K ratio this season so far.  He may end up in the bullpen eventually, but I think he'll end up in the majors eventually.

Onto the games:

• Louisville lost 5-2 to Rochester, as Matt Maloney had a little bit of trouble.  Drew Sutton was the star of the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, and Jonny Gomes homered in the 9th for his 5th of the season.  Up next: Sam LeCure takes on Rochester at 7:05.
• Carolina won both games of their doubleheader, winning 4-2 in Game 1 and 2-1 in Game 2.  In Game 1, Matt Klinker impressed in his Southern League debut, going 6 innings and giving up 2 runs, striking out 5.  Juan Francisco led the way, going 2-for-4 with his 5th HR of the year, and Chris Heisey went 1-for-4 to continue his streak of reaching base in every game this season.  Infielder Eric Eymann is also starting to hit for the Mudcats, having two hits in Game 1.  In Game 2, Featured Farmhand Travis Wood finally got his first win of the season, giving up one run in 6 innings.  He's now 1-3, with an ERA of 1.38.  Chris Heisey had two more hits for the Mudcats, and Michael Griffin drove in both of the Carolina runs.  Up next: Justin Mallett takes on Mobile at 7:15.
• Sarasota won 6-5 after taking an early lead.  Travis Webb had some control problems, walking 6, but kept his team in the game, giving up 3 runs in 5.  The offense was the story here, as Yonder Alonso and Carson Kainer had three hits each, and Denis Phipps was 2-for-3 with his first HR of the season.  Up next: Zach Stewart takes on Jupiter at 7:05.
• Dayton came back from 2 runs down to beat Clinton 7-5.  Juan Carlos Sulbaran was solid in his second start, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings, striking out 8.  Kyle Day and Kevin Coddington had three hits each for the Dragons.  Up next: Matt Fairel takes on Clinton tonight at 7:00.