Down on the Farm: The Best and Worst Pitchers of May

The month of May is officially in the books, bringing us to yet another monthly prospect report. Following the same outline as before, I will highlight the previous months best and worst performances in a who’s hot and who’s not format. The monthly review will break down into two parts, the pitchers first followed by a separate report on the batters. With the at-bats and innings piling up, the prospects true colors are beginning to show. With that being said, let’s dive in and take a look at last months performances.

Low-A West Michigan Whitecaps:

WHO WAS HOT

Patrick Cooper was 2-1 with a 1.40 ERA in 19 1/3 innings of work. Cooper racked up 20 strikeouts while issuing just two free passes last month. He has yet to allow a homerun in 33 2/3 innings this season.

WHO WAS NOT

• Josue Carreno allowed 25 runs in 28 1/3 innings of work. Josue  allowed 36 hits and was 2-4 with a 7.94 ERA last month. On a positive note, he’s tossed 15 innings his last two starts without allowing an earned run.

Advanced-A Lakeland Flying Tigers

WHO WAS HOT

Kenny Faulk recorded 8 saves and posted a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings of relief in May. His 15 strikeouts give him 34 in 23 2/3 innings this season. Perhaps the most impressive stat is the number 2. Faulk has issued just 2 walks the entire season.

Jared Wesson entered May 1-2 with a 9.98 ERA! Last month Wesson was 5-1 with a 2.52 ERA in 39 1/3 innings of work. The 25-year-old southpaw had an outstanding month of May for the Flying Tigers.

WHO WAS NOT

Trevor Feeney was 2-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 38 1/3 innings which was actually an improvement over his numbers in April. He’s allowed 8 homeruns and batters are hitting .297 against him this season. The 25-year-old turned in 4 quality starts last month and is a much better pitcher than his numbers suggest.

AA Erie SeaWolves

WHO WAS HOT

Jacob Turner had four quality starts last month, one of which was his first win of the season. Turner struck out 28 and posted a 2.67 ERA in 33 2/3 innings. He is now 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings this season. Seriously, what more can you say about Jacob Turner? The kid is AWESOME!

Casey Crosby continues to shine and make up for lost time. Crosby was 1-1 with a 2.48 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21 innings.  He’s now 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 54 1/3 innings this season.

WHO WAS NOT

Luke Putkonen was 0-5 with a 8.48 ERA in five starts in May. He surrendered 27 runs in 28 2/s innings and was recently re-assigned to Advanced-A Lakeland.

AAA-Toledo Mud Hens

WHO WAS HOT

Andrew Oliver was outstanding for the Mud Hens before being called-up by Detroit. Oliver had a 2.86 ERA over 22 innings with Toledo. He recorded 18 strikeouts and walked 8 batters. With Phil Coke coming off the DL this week Andrew Oliver was recently optioned back to AAA-Toledo.

Duane Below was 2-2 with a 3.54 ERA in May. Below had 4 quality starts and threw 40 2/3 innings last month. Below is 5-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 69 innings this season. The southpaw is also holding lefties to a .154 average.

WHO WAS NOT

Thad Weber allowed 54 hits, 13 walks and 8 homeruns in 37 2/3 innings last month. He was 2-3 with a 7.17 ERA over seven May starts.

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