Carolina Mudcats at Frederick Keys Recap - 4/7/2017

[Legend_Of_Joey]

Well, this was the Keys second attempt at a home opener. I just have one word.

COLD!

Well, there are several more words, but in the interest of not being banned, I won't say them.

The wind was going pretty good during batting practice and the temperature wasn't too bad, so I had hope. That was dashed once the sun went down.

It got so cold, I could see my breathe. But, enough about my suffering for now, onto the game recap!

Keegan Akin got the start and...Well, let me show you his stat line:

Akin: 0.2 IP, 4 hits, 6 runs (all earned), 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, 2 home runs (would of been 3, but the guy hit it to the deepest part of center field against the wind and Josh Hart nearly killed himself against the wall going for it), for a nice, even 81.00 era

To say that this start wasn't what people were hoping for would be an understatement. He struggled from the start (walked the first batter) and had command issues. But, in his defense, both teams had issues. More on that soon. Akin didn't have command, as on the two strikeouts, both batters swung at bad pitches to help him. But...

There were 8 wild pitches thrown all game, with several dozen more (no exaggerating there) that were about 50-58 footers. Poor Stuart Levy (Keys starting catcher), he is probably regretting his life choice.

The game ended up being closer than expected after the 6-0 opener. It ended up at 15-11, Carolina. Frederick spotted Carolina a 10 run lead after 5, tied them up with a 9 run 6th with a great rally and some wind aided fly balls, let the lead slip for good in the 8th, and put up a run in the 9th.

Some key (haha...) players and notes:

Ryan Mountcastle: 2-4 with a home run and a strikeout. He has a powerful swing, but was totally fooled a few times, including his strikeout. Interesting note: I actually got his home run and gave it back to him. He then promptly handed it to his dad, who thanked me a few times. Awesome already. Bad side note: While he made some good plays at short, the arm strength was very noticeably lacking. There were a few times he made routine ground outs look instant replay worthy at first. Might have just been the cold though.

Randolph Gassaway: 2-5 with a triple. This kid can FLY! If it wasn't for an outstanding play and hustle by the left fielder, his first hit would have been a double. On the triple, he nailed it to deep left center and made it easily. His fielding wasn't bad as he didn't have many chances. He did nearly misplay a ball hit to him on the hop, having to stretch his glove out to get it from going past him. Made a strong throw on a ball off the wall to left that was about 3 inches from going out. Should be a fun one to keep an eye on.

Austin Hays: 1-5 with a strike out. Don't let that fool you. He was hitting the ball HARD. The only problem was, Mudcats were in the way, except on his one hit. That was a triple into the gap in right center. Even on his strikeout, he didn't look that bad. Had a wild swing, but as much as the ball was moving in the wind, I can't put much stock in that. No issues fielding in the wind. Made some good throws.

Alex Murphy: 2-4 with 2 strikeouts. Got a hometown ovation by all 30 people that had the warmth and energy to do it each time he got up. His two hits were very nice, good contact. His two strikeouts, no so much. He struck out to end the game on a swing that looked like he wanted to send the ball to Baltimore. No issues on defense.

Yermin Mercedes: 0-5 with 3 strikeouts. Remember last year how he would swing and crush the ball into another state? Well, his swing is a bit more wild now as he is trying to add even more power, for some unknown reason. The result? Zero hits and not looking good at it. He was the DH, so I can't comment on his defense.

Stuart Levy: 1-3 with a strikeout and a walk. This poor dude. Missed a pop up behind the plate because the wind took it from "reaching the club seats" to "15 feet from home plate." Took a beating from his pitching staff (5 wild pitches, some of which couldn't have been stopped by a truck.) Had Carolina look like a track team (4 steals, 3 by one player) while getting shafted. One of the steals, the guy looked out. If there was replay, it might have been changed. One another steal, the pitcher helped Levy out by throwing a 55 foot breaking ball. On another, Levy threw it low and the runner slid into the glove of Mountcastle, causing the throw to go to center for an error on Levy. The steal of third, the batter (right handed) backed up a bit when Levy was getting ready to throw, causing him to double pump.

 

Overall, I wouldn't say it was too bad. The team showed a lot of fight and the new guys did good. I can't comment on Akin properly, because of the cold. If Levy had some of Yadier Molina's equipment, maybe Akin would have gotten a better grip. Once the weather warms up and the guys get used to High A, expect some great games and lots of runs.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go check for frostbite in several places...

[ChuckS]

2 hours ago, RZNJ said:

Good stuff.  Interesting take on Gassaway.   Mountcastle at SS.  Sounds like O's are being stubborn but I'm not sure why.  Haven't heard anyone who thinks he's a SS or even a 2B or 3B long term.

 

Great writeup!

I read some old scouting report on Gassaway indicating that he had plus speed and arm strength which conflicts with what I've read previously here at the Hangout (average speed at best and a left field arm). Glad to hear the former may be true. 

We know the hit/power tool is there.  This guy could shoot up our top ten over the next couple months. 

Sounds like Mountcastle needs to move over to second base.  I imagine they must really like his hands in the infield to keep him there this long despite clearly not having the arm for short.  I would try him at second base and if that fails send him out to left field. 

I think the big four of 20-21 year olds (Hays, Mountcastle, Gassaway, and Reyes) will be fun to follow in Frederick this season.  I look forward to making it up there soon. 

[Legend_Of_Joey]

7 hours ago, RZNJ said:

Good stuff.  Interesting take on Gassaway.   Mountcastle at SS.  Sounds like O's are being stubborn but I'm not sure why.  Haven't heard anyone who thinks he's a SS or even a 2B or 3B long term.

 

Great writeup!

Thanks! I think right now, it's just the way Frederick is set up. Steve Wilkerson at second, Reyes at third, Mountcastle at short. He could move to one of those spots to give those guys a day off at some point. Wilkerson is a good switch hitting second baseman with a good glove, so I don't think they want to move him unless he gets injured or something. So Mountcastle might be "stuck" at short for now.

4 hours ago, ChuckS said:

I read some old scouting report on Gassaway indicating that he had plus speed and arm strength which conflicts with what I've read previously here at the Hangout (average speed at best and a left field arm). Glad to hear the former may be true. 

We know the hit/power tool is there.  This guy could shoot up our top ten over the next couple months. 

Sounds like Mountcastle needs to move over to second base.  I imagine they must really like his hands in the infield to keep him there this long despite clearly not having the arm for short.  I would try him at second base and if that fails send him out to left field. 

I think the big four of 20-21 year olds (Hays, Mountcastle, Gassaway, and Reyes) will be fun to follow in Frederick this season.  I look forward to making it up there soon. 

I'm not a scout, so I don't know how they rank "plus" and "plus plus" stuff, but the kid was flying around the bases easily in the cold.

See the reply above for why Mountcastle might be "stuck" at short for now.

Don't forget Murphy in there. I think Frederick will be a blast to watch, when the weather is good.

[Ruzious]

Great stuff - especially happy to hear the take on Gassaway.  I'm no expert, but I'm fine with them keeping Mountcastle on SS until they're 100% certain he can't stay at SS.  I remember people didn't think Mike Schmidt could play 3B.  Frederick sounds like a fun team to watch.  

 

   

[ChuckS]

Could be they are doing some things to try to build up his arm strength. He's only 20 after all.