Two of many Dodger minor leaguers promoted Saturday
Several players in the Dodgers minors were shuffled between levels Saturday, most notably pitchers Ryan Pepiot and Andre Jackson getting promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Rated as the fifth best Dodger prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Pepiot was one of the names thought to be a potential trade piece to get Max Scherzer or any other arm the Dodgers needed leading up to Friday. But the team was able to keep him and he has now moved one step closer to the majors.
Earlier this season, Fangraphs talked to Pepiot about his changeup that has been called devastating and plus-plus and the fact that Baseball America has ranked it the second-best in the minors.
At Double-A Tulsa this season, Pepiot was 3-4 with a 2.87 ERA, striking out 81 and had only allowed 30 hits in 59 2⁄3 innings of work over 15 games (13 starts).
Jackson has had a similar strong season for the Drillers, posting a 3.27 ERA while striking out 75 hitters against only 20 walks and 46 hits in 63 1⁄3 innings. Over his last four starts, the right-hander has only given up three runs in 17 1⁄3 innings.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
Zach Reks and Yoshi Tsutsugo delivered back-to-back doubles in the first inning and Juan Zabala smacked a run-scoring single in the second to give the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead.
After a couple back and forth innings, the score was locked at three apiece heading into the seventh. DH Nick Solak then gave Round Rock (Rangers) the lead for good, sending a three-run homer over the fence and an eventual 6-3 win for the Express.
Dodger reliever Corey Knebel made his third rehab appearance, striking out two of the four batters he faced before reaching his pitch limit. The right-hander threw 22 pitches, including 16 strikes.
Double-A Tulsa
In a low-scoring affair, outfielder Devin Mann walked it off in the ninth with a run-scoring single to give the Drillers a 3-2 win over the Midland RockHounds (Athletics). The win assures Tulsa at least a split of the six-game set after losing the last two nights in class games.
Ryan Noda hit his 18th homer of the year and Mark Washington pitched the final two frames, striking out four of the six batters he faced without allowing a run to earn the victory.
High-A Great Lakes
While Great Lakes was outpaced by the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) on offense, outfielder Jonny Deluca stood out for the Loons. The 23-year-old smashed two solo homers and a triple on the night.
Jesus Vargas allowed five runs on seven hits in 3 2⁄3 innings pitched and the Whitecaps would add two more in the seventh and hang on for the 7-4 win.
Low-A Rancho Cucamonga
For the second night in a row, the Quakes took the lead in their final at-bat and were able to hold on for the win over the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) in both occasions. It was four runs in the ninth on Friday and three in the ninth on Saturday.
Down 6-5 entering the final frame, Eddys Leonard followed a leadoff walk with a two-run homer to give Rancho the lead. Sauryn Lao would single in an insurance run later in the inning and Carlos Alejo tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure the win.
Lao had also hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning that had given the Quakes a 5-0 advantage at that point.
Transactions
Triple-A: Outfielder Luke Raley and pitcher Brusdar Graterol were optioned to Oklahoma City.
Pitchers Ryan Pepiot and Andre Jackson were promoted from Tulsa.
Double-A: First baseman Justin Yurchak and pitchers Jose Martinez, Cameron Gibbens and Landon Knack were promoted from Great Lakes.
High-A: Pitchers Hyun-il Choi and Aldry Acosta were promoted from Rancho Cucamonga.
Pitcher Edward Cuello assigned to Great Lakes from Tulsa.
Saturday scores
West Michigan 7, Great Lakes 4
Sunday schedule
- 10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Clayton Beeter) vs. West Michigan (Austin Bergner)
- 11:05 a.m.: Tulsa (Gus Varland) vs. Midland (Jarred Koenig)
- 4:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Yefry Ramirez) at Round Rock (Hyeon-Jong Yang)
- 6:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Robbie Peto) at Modeso (Max Roberts)
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