photo: Kramer Robertson (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)
The Double-A Cardinals look to turn the page after a slow 8-17 start in April. Springfield logged a 3-3 record in Week 4 as Kramer Robertson is swinging a hot bat. Manager Joe Kruzel outlines the positives he has seen from his club.
As Springfield manager Joe Kruzel sits back and reflects on his team’s first month progress, one thing was clear to the team’s first-year skipper.
“I think there is a lot more positives that came out of the month besides the record,” Kruzel said.
The S-Cards finished the month of April with the worst record in the Texas League (8-17) and are off to their slowest start since they went 5-15 in April of 2015.
Kruzel said he is pleased with the way his team has competed on a daily basis despite the results. He feels the players are now comfortable and more acquainted with the Texas League.
“The positives outweigh the negatives,” Kruzel said. “Unfortunately, we came up on the short end sometimes.”
Individually, Kruzel said his players took away a lot from a month in which the pitching ranked last in ERA (5.97) and the offense ranked near the bottom of the pack in average (.235).
The manager said going forward his team has to respect every opponent and they have to go into every game with the mindset “they are no different than we are”.
“There is no reason why we can’t play with any of them,” Kruzel said. “It is not like these teams are head and shoulders better than us. I think we have to believe that.”
This report covers the period from Thursday, April 25 through Wednesday, May 1.
April 25: Springfield 8 vs. Amarillo 0
Anthony Shew tossed six strong frames supported by his team’s 12-hit attack as the S-Cards trounced Amarillo, 8-0, at Hammons Field for a split of the four-game set.
Shew used seven strikeouts to neutralize five hits and a walk with eight ground- and two fly-ball outs. Roel Ramirez worked around four hits and a free pass for two clean frames before Kodi Whitley tossed a one-two-three ninth.
Lead-off batter Irving Lopez spearheaded the offensive effort, going 3-for-5 and touching home twice. The only other S-Card with a multi-hit performance was Elehuris Montero, who singled twice in three at bats with a walk, run scored and RBI.
Tyler O’Neill’s only hit in four at bats was a solo long ball. It was the outfielder’s first safety in three rehab contests. Conner Capel followed in the seventh with a two-run bomb scoring Chris Chinea (triple). Capel went 1-for-3 with a free pass, crossed home twice and drove in two.
April 26: Springfield 3 vs. Frisco 2
The Cardinals edged the Rough Riders at Hammons Field on Friday. Starter Williams Perez pitched seven innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking three.
Merandy Gonzalez surrendered a run in the eighth and was replaced with one out by Jacob Patterson, who induced a double play to end the inning without further damage. Connor Jones tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his first save and preserve the win for Patterson.
Springfield was held scoreless until the fifth inning when Chris Chinea led off with a solo home run to center.
In the bottom of the eighth, Shane Billings singled and scored on a double by Kramer Robertson. Robertson came home on Dylan Carlson’s double. Carlson went 2-for-4 in the game and stole his second base of the season.
April 27: Springfield 7 vs. Frisco 10
The Cardinals were unable to catch up to the Frisco RoughRiders in a 10-7 loss at Hammons Field on Saturday. Springfield got off to a lead in the second inning on a three-run home run by Brian O’Keefe, but Frisco added two in the third and five in the fifth to go ahead 7-3.
In the bottom of the sixth, O’Keefe and Scott Hurst singled and advanced on a fielding error. Irving Lopez doubled to plate both runners.
Frisco went ahead 10-5 with three runs in the seventh. Springfield added a run in the bottom of the inning. Dylan Carlson and Johan Mieses singled. Chris Chinea drove in Carlson on a sac fly.
The Cardinals attempted a rally in the bottom of the ninth as Mieses, Mendoza and Carlson hit consecutive singles. Mieses scored on Carlson’s single to center. That was the only run the Cardinals would manage, as Connor Capel grounded out to end the rally and the game.
Starter Evan Kruczynski had another tough night. The left-hander pitched four-plus innings, giving up six runs, five earned, on five hits while fanning five and walking five.
Luke Gregerson allowed Kruczynski’s final pair of runners to score and surrendered a run of his own in the fifth. Mike O’Reilly allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings. Kodi Whitley got the last out of the seventh and returned to pitch a scoreless eighth. Seth Elledge tossed a run-free ninth.
April 28: Springfield 4 vs. Frisco 6
One big inning sent the S-Cards to a 6-4 home loss to Frisco on Sunday. Springfield has won one of the series’ first three contests with one yet to play.
Casey Meisner was scored upon in each of his three frames on the bump, with the scoring capped by four runs in his third and final inning of work. The righty gave up six runs, four earned, in all, on seven hits, including two home runs, and a base-on-balls.
A trio of Springfield relievers kept the RoughRiders off the board the rest of the way. Jacob Patterson struck out four in three innings, yielding a hit and walk. Luke Gregerson continued his seemingly endless rehab assignment with a one-two-three seventh before Roel Ramirez notched two K’s to go with one free pass over the last two frames.
Two S-Cards produced multi-hit efforts: Dylan Carlson and Johan Mieses. Carlson singled and doubled in four at bats with a walk and run scored while right fielder Mieses went 2-for-5 with a run scored.
April 29: Springfield 2 vs. Frisco 9
Evan Mendoza reached safely three times and stole a pair of bases, and left fielder Conner Capel doubled, homered, and gunned a runner at the plate, but it wasn’t nearly enough as Springfield was thumped by the RoughRiders 9-2 on Monday afternoon.
Starting pitcher Harold Arauz permitted six runs, five earned, on nine hits and a walk, while whiffing none of the 26 men he faced. Arauz allowed a pair of homers over his 5 1/3 innings.
Righty relievers Seth Elledge and Merandy Gonzalez provided the pitching highlights, posting identical 1-2-3 innings out of the bullpen, each man fanning a batter.
April 30: Springfield was off
May 1: Springfield 9 at Amarillo 6
Springfield took Game 1 at Amarillo 9-5 on Wednesday night. The Springbirds were led by shortstop Kramer Robertson, who homered twice and recorded three RBI to pave the way offensively.
Williams Perez received the starting nod. The former big-leaguer gave up four earned runs over six innings of work, striking out seven batters and issuing only one walk. Perez earned his second win of the season.
Conner Capel launched his fourth home run of the season in the fifth, a solo shot. Chris Chinea handed Springfield a 5-4 lead in the sixth with a two-run blast, his fourth homer of 2019.
It was the S-Cards’ first road win of 2019 in their 11th try.
Standings
Currently, Springfield (9-17) sits in last-place, eight games back of first-place Arkansas (16-9, SEA) in the Texas League North. Tulsa (14-11, LAD) is in second while NW Arkansas (10-16, KC) is in third place.
Who’s Hot
Kramer Robertson – Robertson continues to flash some surprising power this season, belting two home runs on Wednesday to give him five on the season. The shortstop had a combined five dingers over his first two seasons between Low-A Peoria in 2017 and High-A Palm Beach in 2018.
Robertson is also now on a 10 game on-base streak. During this time, he is hitting .333 (11-for-33) with two doubles, two home runs, five RBI, nine walks and 10 runs.
Dylan Carlson – Carlson has been one of the most complete players in the Texas League through the first month. The switch-hitter currently ranks among league leaders in RBI (18, tied for third), hits (28, sixth), extra-base hits (12, second), total bases (49, second) and runs (17, tied for fourth).
Shane Billings – Billings has thrust his way into everyday playing time because of the way he has hit since arriving in Springfield on April 17. The outfielder is hitting .400 with two homers and seven RBI in 11 games for the S-Cards.
Jacob Patterson – Patterson, who is a funky lefty reliever, was arguably Springfield’s best reliever in April. The 23-year old went 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA, striking out 14 batters over 11 innings of work.
His manager likes what he sees in Patterson.
“He believes in himself,” Kruzel said. “He enjoys competing. He goes out there and attacks hitters. He throws strikes. That is one of the biggest qualities he has. He throws strikes. He throws strikes with a fastball and slider. He attacks the strike zone and doesn’t worry about what the hitter does or what their strengths or weaknesses are.
“His strength is attacking the strike zone with his two-pitch mix and he has been very successful with that.”
Kodi Whitley – Whitley has also been effective when called upon for Springfield, allowing only one earned run over the first seven innings of his Double-A career. The 24-year old righty, who has been up to 95 mph on his fastball, has seven strikeouts in that span.
Who’s Not
Irving Lopez – After getting off to a torrid start, Lopez has slowed at the plate. The second baseman is hitting .238 (10-for-42) over his last 10 games, dropping his average from .295 on April 18 to .253 on May 1.
Alberto Triunfel – Triunfel has seen increased playing time with the injury of Elehuris Montero this week but continues to slump with the bat. The 25-year old Dominican is hitting just .156 (5-for-32) over his last 10 games.
Evan Kruczynski – Five starts into 2019 and Kruczynski has yielded more earned runs (26) than innings pitched (21 ⅓ innings). His ERA sits at 10.97. The big lefty, who has a lot of moving parts in his delivery, is believed to be going through a mechanical issue right now. When he is at his best, his mechanics are in synch and he is able to then command the strike zone, and be effective.
Casey Meisner – After moving back into the rotation, Meisner has been hit around, allowing 18 earned runs over 15 innings of work. Overall this season, the righty owns a disappointing 9.78 ERA over six games (four starts).
Team Transactions
- April 26: RHP Harold Arauz to Springfield from Triple-A Memphis
- April 26: RHP Will Latcham to EST from Springfield
- April 27: INF Elehuris Montero placed on the IL
- April 27: OF Johan Mieses to Springfield from Triple-A Memphis
- April 29: RHP Anthony Shew to Triple-A Memphis from Springfield
- April 30: RHP Mike O’Reilly released by St. Louis
- April 30: RHP John Fasola to Springfield from Triple-A Memphis
- May 1: RHP Junior Fernandez to Springfield from High-A Palm Beach
On Wednesday morning, the Palm Beach Cardinals website announced the promotion of reliever Junior Fernandez to Springfield.
The right-hander has slid to no. 40 on The Cardinal Nation’s current list due to a career that had stalled at high-A.
The 22-year old first pitched for Palm Beach in 2015 when he was still a starter. Last season in his first trial at Springfield, he was tagged for a 5.14 ERA in 16 games before being sent back to the Florida State League. A major problem in his first shot at the Texas League was 17 walks in 21 innings.
The free passes continue to be a concern as Fernandez had the same number of walks, eight, as hits allowed this season for Palm Beach. He saved all four opportunities presented him and went multiple innings in three different outings.
Injury Updates
Elehuris Montero – Montero is dealing with a sprained wrist that is not considered serious. The IL move was made as a precautionary measure to allow him time to rest.
Hector Mendoza – No news on the right-handed pitcher’s status.
The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 Prospect Watch
#3 Elehuris Montero – Kruzel explained what he saw in Montero over the first month of the season.
“You see a young player, who is starting to understand some of the things the opposing team is doing to him as far as how teams are pitching to him,” Kruzel said. “He is starting to make adjustments in that regard. If you watch him defensively, he possess an extremely strong arm. For his size, he moves pretty good with some soft hands.”
#4 Dylan Carlson – Carlson was Springfield’s biggest offensive bright spot in the month of April. Kruzel has been impressed with the 20-year old, particularly with his power potential.
“This is a young man, whose confidence level is extremely high right now,” Kruzel said. “He is going about his business the right way. He is working (on his power). The preparation that this young man does on a daily basis is head and shoulders above his age. You just like the direction he is going in.”
#18 Evan Kruczynski – Kruzel said through Kruczynski’s struggles the best thing that has happened for him is that now he has to work on things. After success at Springfield last year and in the Arizona Fall League, the lefty now has a great opportunity to do some learning, says his manager.
“That is the part he is understanding,” Kruzel said. “It is not that easy sometimes. You have to work at your craft and you got to study it, and understand it. That is the biggest thing. It is nothing physical. It is nothing mental. It is nothing in that regard. It is a situation where he has never had a stretch like this where he has gone through and it has not gone his way. He is learning how to fight through situations like this.
“This will be a great situation for him. In the end, he will come out a better man.”
#21 Evan Mendoza – Mendoza, who picked up a first base glove over the spring, has taken to the position quite nicely, according to his manager.
“I see a kid that is eager to learn about it and willing to learn about it,” Kruzel said. “He was a guy that was thrown into the fire, I think they called him into a big-league game in spring training and next thing you know he is playing first. He has never played first before.
“In the same regard, he is a very conscientious student of the game and he picks up things extremely well and quickly. You are seeing a guy who is getting comfortable and looks like he has played it for years.”
#26 Seth Elledge – After going through a two-week rough stretch, it seems Elledge found traction this week on the bump. The deceptive right-hander, acquired from the Mariners in the Sam Tuivailala trade last summer, has tossed two straight scoreless outings to lower his ERA down to 3.65 on the season.
#32 Conner Capel – Capel continued to show signs of heating up this week. The left-handed hitting outfielder, acquired from the Indians in the Oscar Mercado trade last summer, has homered three times in his last six games. He is now hitting .217 on the season with a .696 OPS.
#34 Scott Hurst – After putting things together for a week, Hurst collected two hits over 10 at-bats in four games this week. His average sits at .205 on the season with a .601 OPS.
#44 Kramer Robertson – See Who’s Hot Above.
#45 Anthony Shew – Kruzel is impressed with Shew and sees a more polished pitcher than the one he managed two years ago at State College.
“He is a very similar pitcher (from the last time I had him),” Kruzel said. “I think the difference between here and State College is he is hitting his spots more. He was learning to pitch inside more. He keeps the ball off the barrel for the most part. You just enjoy watching him compete. He understands what type of pitcher he is.
“He goes out there with his stuff and makes it work, and doesn’t try to be something that he is not because he is at a level where people think he has to throw this or throw that. He stays within himself.”
What’s Next
Springfield continues its first Texas road-trip of the season with two left to play at Amarillo. The S-Cards will finish up Week 5 action at Frisco with single games Saturday through Tuesday, followed by a day off next Wednesday.
Going forward, Kruzel looks for Springfield to pull everything together and have both his offense and pitching working at the same time on a consistent basis in May.
“Sometimes it seems we haven’t played a complete game,” Kruzel said. “We have played games in spurts. It seems some days when the pitching is on, the hitting is not. There is other days where the hitting is not on, but the pitching is there. When the opportunity is there, we have to be at our best.
“That is what we have to get better at.”
Acknowledgments: TCN staff members UConnCard, Marilyn Green, Bob Reed and Brian Walton contributed to this report.
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