Kyle Funkhouser, Matt Hall promoted to Triple-A

West Michigan Whitecaps

The Whitecaps broke even for the week, going 3-3. At 11-10, West Michigan sits in a tie for fourth in the Midwest League Eastern Division’s second half standings. Overall, they are 47-44 in 2018.

Rotation Remains Strong

Despite the promotion of Matt Manning to Lakeland, West Michigan’s rotation continues to put up good numbers. In his second start since a promotion from Connecticut, Wilkel Hernandez posted his best start of the year.

Hernandez turned in his first quality start of the campaign, working a season-high six innings. The 19-year old gave up two runs on three hits and struck out seven, without issuing a free pass.

Fellow former Angels farmhand Elvin Rodriguez followed up with a quality start of his own a few days later. The 20-year old also allowed two runs on three hits over six frames. He added eight strikeouts, while walking three.

Jesus Rodriguez added a quality start of his own Thursday night. The righty gave West Michigan seven strong innings, allowing one earned run and fanning a season-high tying seven. Rodriguez has now gone seven innings or more in three of his last four starts.

Catching Duo Heating Up

The backstop tandem of Joey Morgan and Brady Policelli are having good months at the plate for West Michigan. Last year’s third rounder, Morgan owns a .308/.419/.462 slash line for the month.

Although his season average remains at just .221, Morgan has shown the ability to draw walks all season. His walk rate sits just a tick below 10 percent, a three percent increase from his 34-game stint with Connecticut in 2017.

A 2016 13th rounder out of Towson, Policelli is putting together his best month at the dish since hitting .320 in April. He enters the weekend riding a 10-game hitting streak, which includes three multi-hit efforts. During the streak, Policelli is 13-for-43 (.302), which has bumped his season average back up to .257.