First Half Record: 35-34
After an up-and-down first half, the Naturals sit a game above .500 at third in the Texas League North division. With the second half of the season starting, the Naturals season has been defined by long periods of success followed by long periods of shaky performances. They look hot entering the second half after winning back-to-back series. The most recent, a 4-2 series win against the Tulsa Drillers, was defined by team wins that required the offense and the pitching to work together.
The Naturals started slow, dropping the series’ first two games in games where dollar food items were the night’s promotion. Perhaps Dollar Dogs aren’t as lucrative for the players as they are for the fans. The next four games added to the win column for the AA squad including a dominating 5-0 win on Friday night. Gavin Cross capped off the week with a walk-off sacrifice fly on Sunday afternoon.
Pitcher of the Week
Luinder Avila had his best start of the season with 7.0 innings pitched, nine strikeouts, and only four baserunners. He tied his career high in strikeouts and innings pitched with his dominant outing. With three of those runners reached via hit and the other being hit by a pitch, Avila avoided extra-base hits and free passes. Both of these have plagued him in the past but the 22-year-old has shown signs of developing beyond these mistakes.
Over four starts in June (23.0 IP) Luinder Avila owns a 1.96 ERA, 28 Ks, 10 BBs, and a 1.17 WHIP. He is keeping the ball on the ground significantly more than in previous months with his GO/AO ratio dropping almost a full point (.93 from May). Avila looked a bit lost when his ERA hit 7.40 with a four-run outing over just four innings on May 11th. Since then, he has brought his ERA down to 3.92 and only failed to pitch five innings in one outing.
Hitter of the Week
Leonel Valera only recorded 10 at-bats over five games played but still managed to make his presence felt. Valera has a double and a home run with a slash line of .400/.500/.800 and three stolen bases. The shortstop is not typically known for his bat but put the coaching staff on notice with his first home run on the season and five runs scored. His ability to get on base and scoot around the base paths has earned him a fighting chance at future leadoff spots.
Valera has quietly had one of the better Junes on the squad, with a very healthy .302/.388/.419 over 15 games (48 AB). His average has jumped 37 points in this time frame alongside a 56-point jump in his on-base percentage. The power is limited still, but his 6’2 frame could potentially allow his slugging to surge once he begins to see the ball more consistently. Leonel Valera is hot and looks to continue this recent performance into the second half of the season.
Other Notables
Noah Cameron has his ERA down to 3.14 on the season following 5.0 innings of one-run ball. He struck out six in the outing and allowed zero walks.
Eric Carentola struck out five in his lone outing. 2.0 IP of near-perfect ball (1 H) continues his impressive breakout year.
Fellow under-the-radar reliever Anthony Simonelli threw 3.2 innings of one-hit baseball, striking out 4 in the process.
Peyton Wilson flashed a .500 OBP to pair with two doubles. The 24-year-old looks to add this on-base capability to an arsenal well-equipped with power.
Kale Emshoff drove in 4 RBI with a home run and a double. The catcher is making a quick name for himself after his recent promotion to AA.
Tyler Tolbert smacked two doubles on his way to a .333 average. He tallied three walks also, getting on base about 43% of his 21 PA.
What’s Next
The Naturals travel to Wichita to take on the Wind Surge for six games this week. Wichita finished the first half last in the Texas League North. The Naturals will look to stay hot while multiple players lobby for promotion as the season progresses. The second half of the season begins June 25th and teams restart fresh records.