– Covering July 2nd – July 8th games –

Pitcher:
Vidal Nuno, 24, LHP, AA
6 IP, 10 K, 1 BB, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 HR
Notable: Back-to-back MLPW wins

This week marks back-to-back MLPW wins for the 24-year old independent league pick-up. Last week, we explained how the Cleveland Indians oddly released Nuno (who was only 22 at the time) after the 2010 season, despite a 3.67 FIP. After this week’s monster performance, Nuno has a 4.40 K/BB since being promoted to Double-A (44 K/10 BB in 51.2 IP). With a career 1.6 BB/9, control doesn’t seem like it will ever been an issue for him.

His ultra-low ERA of 1.22 (2.39 FIP) is being aided by a microscopic 0.2 HR/9, despite having a 0.80 groundout/airout ratio. But still, what’s not to like? He’s performed very well at each stop since joining the Yankees in 2011, and he’s now putting up great numbers against a high level of competition. The lefty is putting himself on the map.

Hitter:
Zolio Almonte, 23, SHB OF, AA
.484/.515/.870 in 33 PAs
Notable: 3 HRs on the week

In 2011, Zolio Almonte showed up frequently in MLPW. He broke out last season at Tampa (A+) with a .293/.368/.514 line in 296 PAs. After 70 games, he was then promoted to Double-A. Repeating the same pattern when he was initially promoted to Tampa from Charleston (2010), he struggled at the new level, hitting .251/.309/.377 in 191 PAs. He seems to have adjusted since starting this season at Trenton. After his hot week, Almonte is hitting .286/.331/.460 in 242 PAs.

The story’s not all rosy though. Since he’s made the move to AA, his walk rate has declined and his strikeout rate has increased. This season, he’s whiffed 25% of the time and only walked in 7% of his PAs. One of the main reasons for his breakout last year at High-A was a 10.6% BB rate and a 20% K rate. It would be a welcome development if he could get back to that.


Honorable Mentions:

Nik Turley, 22, LHP, A+
6 IP, 6 K, 0 BB, 1 H, 0 ER
67 K in 63 IP, 1.67 Groundout/Airout ratio, 3.27 ERA/3.12 FIP

Mark Montgomery, 21, RHP, A+
1.1 IP, 3 K, 0 BB, 1 H, 0 ER
Just sick: 56 K in 38 IP, can’t imagine he’ll be in Tampa much longer

Rigoberto Arrebato, 26, LHP, A+
3.2 IP, 8 K, 2 BB, 1 H, 1 ER
Reportedly signed by the Yankees early this year after defecting from Cuba

John Brebbia, 22, RHP, A
6 IP, 9 K, 0 BB, 3 H, 0 ER
Over 2 appearances, multi-inning reliever with 34 K / 9 BB in 29.1 IP

Addison Maruszak, 25, RHB 3B/SS, AA
.367/.367/.612 in 31 PAs
Swinging a very hot bat over the last few weeks, .288/.347/.472 on the season

Corban Joseph, 23, LHB 2B, AAA
.300/.382/.533 in 34 PAs
Quietly having a great season at AAA, .271/.366/.486

Melky Mesa, 25, RHB CF, AA
.367/.424/.483 in 33 PAs
Having his best year since 2010, .276/.352/.463, 13/15 SBs

Note: Tyler Austin, Mason Williams, and Gary Sanchez were all promoted to Tampa (High-A).