By Scott Barancik, Editor
Here are your minor-league highlights from the week of April 17-23, 2017:
Jewish Baseball News Hitter of the Week: Braden Bishop
CF Braden Bishop (Mariners/High-A), Seattle’s No. 16 prospect, is Hitter of the Week for the second consecutive week. (Does that make him the Hitter of the Fortnight?) A third-round pick in the 2015 draft, Bishop hit .484 (15-for-31) with a home run, 4 doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, and 4 stolen bases in 5 attempts last week. Since going 0-for-6 on Opening Day, he has hit safely in 15 straight games. Bishop ranks among California League leaders in average (2nd/.377), on-base percentage (4th/.449), OPS (4th/.956), runs (1st/23), and stolen bases (tied 2nd/6).
Jewish Baseball News Pitcher of the Week: Troy Neiman
P Troy Neiman (Rockies/AA) pitched 5.1 scoreless innings across two appearances last week, yielding just 2 hits and a walk while striking out 5 batters. Neiman has been reunited with Team Israel manager Jerry Weinstein, who now manages the Hartford Yard Goats.
Other highlights
- LF Zach Borenstein (Diamondbacks/AAA) stroked two home runs on April 17 and another on April 18.
- C Michael Barash (Angels/High-A), a 2016 draftee, hit .412 last week (7-for-19) with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs.
- C Mitchell Kranson (Twins/A) hit .385 with 5 RBIs, culminating with a 4-for-5 performance (including a home run) on April 23.
- LF Jake Thomas (Blue Jays/A) drew another 5 walks. Despite having just 26 at-bats, he is tied for 2nd in the Midwest League with 12 walks.
- P Josh Zeid (Cardinals/AAA) had a winning start on April 21, yielding 6 hits, 2 walks, and an earned run over 6 innings while striking out 5.
- P Brandon Gold (Rockies/A) earned his first win of the season with a strong start on April 21. In a 7-inning outing, he yielded 6 hits, 2 walks and an earned run while striking out 7. His strikeout-to-walk ratio this season is 17-to-4.
Transactions
- CF Ryan Kalish reportedly signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs.
- 1B Ike Davis was assigned to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A club and played his first game there on April 19.
- C Tim Remes was assigned to Detroit’s Double-A team.
- C Garrett Stubbs (Astros/AA) returned from the disabled list.
- P Rob Kaminsky (Indians/AA) went on the disabled list.
- P Kenny Koplove was assigned to the Phillies’ Single-A club.
Free agents
- Players actively seeking employment include former major leaguer Sam Fuld and minor leaguers Michael Fagan, Alec Grosser, Henry Hirsch, Raul Jacobson, Steven Pollakov, and Zack Thornton.
Disabled list
- P Richard Bleier (Orioles/AAA).
- P Jon Moscot (Reds/AAA). Elbow.
- P Zack Weiss (Reds/AA). Elbow.
- P Jake Drossner (Brewers/A).
- P Rob Kaminsky (Indians/AA).
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