Hurricanes Baseball Friday October 20, 2023

An optimist leaving the stadium today said “It is still early”. The realist, like myself, sees it like it really is. The dark clouds that hung over the stadium prior to the start of today’s scrimmage had a much deeper meaning realizing that this is another year of sub-standard pitching. Last year we might have had one possibly real starter. From what I have seen to date, we might be lucky to have that. Today, it was a very dark picture of 4 pitchers struggling to get through their respective innings. Twelve walks, 5 hit batters, 15 hits 4 of which for extra bases, and bases loaded more times than I care to recall. To put the lid on today’s festivities the pitching coach called it a day without Edgardo Villegas even getting a chance to finish his at-bat leaving BL, no outs, and one run already in. That is how bad things went today.  Most definitely, was not a pretty day, to go along with the weather to remember; black clouds and all.

The first two pitchers in their second go-around were Ben Chestnutt and Chris Scinta. I Didn’t get to see them last week because of the early start and not telling anyone about it. Supposedly, these two are looking at a starting role this season. From what I saw if that is the best we can come up with, there are going to be many unhappy fans by the time they get pulled not even making it to the 6th inning. While I didn’t have access to a speed gun, neither pitcher appeared to not even break 90. They were relying on stuff, which neither seemed to be able to control. I Was not impressed with Ben last year, and today he showed nothing to change my opinion. The first 3 batters he faced ended up loading the bases with a single and 2 walks. After managing a strikeout, he hits Jack Scanlon for the first run and it ended there leaving bases still loaded and one out. In his second inning, he managed to get the required outs for the 5 batters faced but not before hitting his second batter.  As for his final inning, he could not end his day until he hit his third batter.

Chris wasn’t much better in showcasing his bid for a starting pitching rotation. Like Ben, never had an easy 3up/3down inning always fighting off runners on base. Chris didn’t really start having major problems until the 2nd inning. Opened with Dorian Gonzalez doubling off the left-center wall who would eventually work himself home on a SF to left by Luca Reyes.

By the third, experienced a total collapse after recording his first two outs. A single by Jake Kulikowski, followed by back-to-back hit batters ( Carlos Perez,Edgardo Villegas). That’s where his day ended with BL two outs.

If this is the best we can do for consideration for potential starters, we are definitely looking for a lot of usage from our BP which isn’t exactly ready to render assistance. Two that might be looked at for relief are the second set of pitching duo. With a LOT more seasoning Slaide Naturman just might get an opportunity for limited duty. As for Brandon Olivera, there is no relief in the foreseeable future. He will be lucky not to get his walking notice upon completion of preseason. He was terrible in his first appearance on opening day, and it only got worse today. As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, the pitching coach had seen more than enough and ended his day prematurely.

Neither pitcher had any bright shining moments. The black cloud followed them both for their time on the mound. Slaide got hit hard for his first inning but luckily had Gaby Gutierrez in left making the play of the game to prevent putting any runs on the board. In the next inning, not even Gaby could save him as four straight hits (Mujica-single;Renzo-triple; Kulikowski-double;Villegas-single) which equated to 3 runs. Not as many runs in his final inning (2). A pair of walks and a pair of singles for two runs with bases still loaded when his hook was rendered ending his day. Not an impressive day for the number of runs scored and runners left on base unattended.

Brandon coming off a devastating first appearance where I predicted no future, I think put the final stamp on it today. Like Slaide, he managed to get through his first inning and then he just ran out of gas. three singles for a run and then came the 6th. In his first outing, all he was able to do was issue walks and that is exactly what tormented him in the 6th. Three straight walks to load the bases, with Carlos Perez singling for the run. Edgardo is next to bat with bases still loaded and nobody out. Reached a count of 2-0 or 3-0 and the pitching coach realized there was nothing left in the tank and ended it which also concluded today’s scrimmage. Not a pleasant day for our 4 pitchers.

Causing these problems were our hitters who continued to hit.Unfortunately another day without someone leaving the yard. Fifteen hits were collected today which possibly could have been more if a couple of innings had not been shortened. Three players with multiple hits: Dorian Gonzalez 2-4 (double);Jake Kuliikowski 2-3(double,RBI); Carlos Perez 2-3 (RBI). Four players with extra-base hits: Dorian Gonzalez(double):Renzo Gonzalez (triple,RBI);Jake Kulikowski 2-3(double,RBI); Daniel Cuvet 1-3(double,RBI)

The final scrimmage of the week is scheduled for tomorrow at 12PM. Next week is the Cane’s version of the College World Series which might be the only chance of seeing a World Series if our pitching doesn’t take a major upturn. Right now I am not joining those optimists saying “it is still early”.