Minor League Baseball Update: Rodriguez takes flight in Mexico
Angel Rodriguez (Glendale Community College, 2014): Pericos de Puebla pitcher: The former Glendale Community College and Cal State Northridge pitcher made the international jump this year as he signed with the Pericos de Puebla, a Mexican League Triple-A squad.
Rodriguez has seen plenty of action out of Puebla’s bullpen as the 24-year-old hurler has made 31 appearances, all in relief, and owns a 2-3 record with a 4.60 earned-run average with 25 strikeouts and 18 walks over 47 innings.
With his ERA over 5 at the end of June, Rodriguez has buckled down lately and is coming off back-to-back scoreless efforts.
Rodriguez tossed two blank innings on Aug. 3 in a 4-1 loss to Leon. Though Rodriguez allowed two hits, he fanned two batters and didn’t further his team’s damage.
Four days later, Rodriguez was back in action against Leon in another loss, this time 10-4.
In that contest, Rodriguez tossed two more shutout innings with one hit and one walk.
Rodriguez signed with Puebla on April 18 after being released by the Gulf Coast Rays on Oct. 26, 2016.
Julian Jarrard (Glendale Community College, 2014) Arizona Brewers infielder: In a little over a month’s time, the former Vaquero standout has made waves in the minor leagues.
Even though the 25-year-old Jarrard went undrafted in June after finishing a successful collegiate career at Menlo College, that didn’t stop his dream.
Jarrard inked a free-agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on June 22 and was assigned to the team’s Arizona League rookie squad.
In 28 games through Wednesday, the infielder is batting .330 with 33 runs batted in, 18 runs scored, 16 doubles and an on-base percentage of .376.
Jarrard played third base Tuesday and finished one for three with a walk and two runs scored in the Brewers’ 4-3 loss to the Arizona Giants.
The following day, Jarrard was one of his team’s few brights spots in the Brewers’ 7-0 defeat to the visiting Arizona Dodgers.
This time Jarrard was his team’s designated hitter and finished two for four.
In the contest against the Dodgers, Jarrard’s 23-year-old brother Jonah, also a GCC product, was on the roster.
Jonah Jarrard signed his own free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 9 and was sent to Arizona that same day.
The catcher has two walks in two games and three at-bats.
Justin Lewis (La Cañada High, 2014) Arizona League Dodgers: Perhaps it was as simple as a change of scenery that sparked the best effort in the brief professional history of the La Cañada High product.
Lewis was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 14 in the 28th round, signed a deal with the club on June 30 and was assigned to the rookie affiliate Raptors of Ogden, Ore.
Lewis’ stint with Ogden was rocky as the hurler posted a 10.45 ERA in eight relief appearances and 10 1/3 innings pitched. Lewis struck out 10, but walked six and surrendered 12 earned runs on 14 hits.
On Aug. 14, the Dodgers sent Lewis to another rookie club, the Arizona League Dodgers.
The move immediately paid off in a Dodgers’ 4-2 victory over the Arizona Brewers on Monday.
Lewis picked up his first professional victory as he allowed one earned run over three innings of relief with three strikeouts and three hits. The effort dropped Lewis’ ERA from 10.45 to 8.78.
David Olmedo-Barrera (St. Francis High, 2012) Charlotte Stone Crabs outfielder: The Cal State Fullerton and St. Francis product continues to chug along at the advanced-A level for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Olmedo-Barrera is batting .253 with 43 runs, 37 RBI, 16 doubles, five home runs, three triples and 19 stolen bases (second-best on the team). He also owns a .299 on-base percentage.
Olmedo-Barrera has had a few productive efforts of late.
On Sunday, Olmedo-Barrera finished two for four with a double, one RBI and one run scored in an 11-inning, 5-4 loss to host Bradenton. Olmedo-Barrera finished one for two in stolen-base chances that day.
On Tuesday, Olmedo-Barrera and the Stone Crabs were on the winning side of a 5-2 triumph over Jupiter.
In that contest, Olmedo-Barrera again finished two for four, connecting on a triple, driving in one run and scoring another.
