Farmers Only: Weekend Recap and the Farmers' Market

Here are your three fresh and three stale prospects in this week's Farmers' Market.

Devin Mesoraco

Devin hit two homers over the weekend, and so far on the season his slash line is .323/.400/.581 in 35 PAs.  Small sample size obviously, but he's off to a great start and hopefully he can continue the great hitting and work his way up to Carolina sooner rather than later.

Matt Fairel

Matt has thrown 11.1 scoreless innings so far this season, but he makes the list because of the perfect game he threw this week...well, perfect 6 innings anyway.  Fairel was cruising but was pulled after 6 perfect innings due to his pitch count.  Still, it's been a great start to the season for the former 35th round pick.

Brad Boxberger

Through 2 starts and 10 IP, Boxy has 13 strikeouts to just 3 walks, and has 14 groundouts to only 1 fly ball out.  Those strikeout numbers, combined with his severe groundball tendencies, make him a very intriguing guy to watch going forward.  Oh, and he's 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA, if you care about that sort of thing.

Chris Heisey

After being in the discussion for the left field job in spring training, Heisey has done nothing to convince the Reds they need him.  He did hit a home run this weekend, but his slash line so far is a paltry .205/.326/.385.  He is walking a fair amount, but the 11 strikeouts in only 39 ABs is concerning.

Daryl Thompson

He's had a rough go of it since his successful Reds debut in 2008.  Thompson has really struggled to stay healthy and needs a strong 2010 to work his way back in the mix of potential future starters.  Unfortunately, starting the year with a 5.40 ERA won't help matters.  He has struck out an impressive 14 batters in 8.1 innings, but he's also walked 4 and been very hittable.  He needs to put up a couple of solid starts or he could get passed by Matt Klinker and Brad Boxberger, amongst others.

Todd Frazier

Much as it pains me to say this, Frazier has really sucked so far in 2010.  His slash line is embarassing: .174/.293/.265, and he has struck out 13 times in only 34 ABs.  It's early, but with Scott Rolen ailing and E.N.D. also struggling, now's the time for Todd to show he can be the future at 3B, but so far he's missing the call.

Recap of the weekend after the jump....

In Louisville, The much anticipated home debut of Aroldis Chapman was rained out on Friday, so Chapmania had to wait until Saturday, when Aroldis threw 5 innings of 1 run ball, but the Bats lost to the Clippers 3-1.  Chapman only gave up 1 hit, but also only struck out 1 while walking 4.  Todd Frazier provided most of the offense, going 2-3 with a walk.  Friday's game was made up yesterday, which meant the Bats got to lose twice to the Clips, first 6-4 and then 3-0.  Not much good came from Sunday, except Zack Cozart was 4-6 combined,  Chris Heisey was 3-7 with a HR, and Wladimir Balentien showed up in both games, proving he is, in fact, still with the organization.  Up Next:  They finish the series with the Clippers at 7:05.  Either Travis Wood or Sam LeCure will take the hill.  (Probably LeCure, but the rainout sort of messed things up)

Carolina got the offense going Friday night, beating up on the Biscuits 8-0.  Tom Cochran threw 6 shutout innings, striking out 8, and Jerry Gil threw 2 scoreless innings from the pen.  Yonder Alonso went 2-4 with a 2B and walk, Chris Denove hit 2-4 with a 2B (the catcher also stole a base),  and Michael Griffin hit 2-3 with a HR and walk.  Saturday the Biscuits got their revenge, beating the Mudcats 5-3.  Daryl Thompson was a bit unlucky in the loss, giving up 4 runs in 4 innings despite striking out 7 and only walking 1.  The Other Harang and Jordan Smith both pitched well out of the pen.  Denove went 3-3 with 2 2B and a walk, and Alonso hit his first homer of the year.  He also started in LF and gunned down a runner at the plate trying to score from second on a single hit to him.  Yesterday the Mudcats scored 3 in the bottom of the ninth to steal one from the Biscuits, 8-7.  Phillippe Valiquette threw a scoreless 9th for the win.  Alonso was 3-4 with a 2B, HR, and a walk while playing in LF.   Every other starter also reached base safely at least once.  Up Next:  They begin a series with the Tennessee Smokies.  First pitch at 7:00.  Matt Klinker should get the start.

On Friday night, Lynchburg squeaked out a close one against the Frederick Keys, 5-4.  Last year's second round draft pick Brad Boxberger had a great outing, allowing 1 run on 1 hit (a homerun) in 5 innings.  He struck out 6 and only walked 1.  Even better, the homer was his only fly ball allowed.  He had 8 groundouts and no fly ball outs. The bullpen sucked and made it a close game.  The offense was led by Alex Buchholz (3-5, 2 2B), Devin Mesoraco (3-4, 2B and HR), and Miguel Rojas (3-4).  Saturday the 'Cats fell to the Keys 6-4.  Travis Webb had a rough outing, giving up 5 runs in 4 innings.  Offensively, Miguel Rojas went 3-3 and Josh "Hellflower" Fellhauer hit 2-5 with a 2B.  Yesterday they fell to the Keys 7-6.  Mark "Pedro" Serrano returned from the DL and had a rough go, giving up 4 runs in 4 innings.  Offensively, lots of guys got in on the act.  Neftali Soto was 3-5 with a 2B and Mesoraco was 2-5 with his second HR in as many games.  Cody Puckett, Kyle Day, and Alex Buchholz each had at least 2 hits as well.  Up Next:  The 'Cats take on the Salem Red Sox at 7:00.  Matt Fairel will try to duplicate his start last time out.

Dayton beat the Ft. Wayne TinCaps Friday night, 10-5.  J.C. Sulbaran struck out 6 in 5 IP, but also walked 3 and allowed 3 ER.  Donnie Joseph continued his perfect season with a scoreless 9th.  It was a well balanced offensive attack, with each starter reaching base safely at least once.  Byron Wiley hit 2-3 including his second homer on the season.  Saturday the Dragons traveled up to South Bend and got beat down by the Silver Hawks, 6-3.  Justin "Johnnie" Walker had a rough outing from the bullpen, giving up 4 runs in 2 innings.  Henry Rodriguez continued his strong start to the season, going 2-5 with a 2B.  Byron Wiley hit his 3rd homerun and also walked twice.  Sunday afternoon the Dragons scored in the bottom of the 11th to beat South Bend 3-2.  Pitching was the story in this one, with Josh Ravin going 6 strong, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits while striking out 8.  Doug Salinas and Donnie Joseph combined to pitch 5 scoreless innings from the bullpen, while striking out 6.  Andrew Means was 3-6 and stole his 4th base of the year.  Up Next:  The Dragons face the Silver Hawks again at 7:00.  Pedro Villareal will get the start.