Minor League Stat of the Week

Each and every baseball game is unique in its own way. You truly never know what will happen. Last Thursday’s A-ball match-up between the Lancaster JetHawks and the Lake Elsinore Storm was no different.

Delino DeShields (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

While each of the Astros’ minor league teams has been getting their fair share of publicity this season, and rightfully so, two have stood out. The Corpus Christi Hooks had six All-Stars this season and you can’t say enough about the Quad Cities River Bandits and their collection of talent. But the JetHawks should not be taken lightly.

In the game in question, Brady Rodgers started for Lancaster and pitched seven innings allowing three runs and earning his ninth win of the season. But, the focus on this night was solely on the offense. Delino DeShields, Jr and Nolan Fontana are the team’s biggest stars and most recognizable players, but this was team effort.

There are a few different directions which we can focus on from Thursday’s box score, but one specifically stood out to me.

20 Runners Reached Base Without Hits.

Let’s digest this for a minute. The JetHawks also recorded 21 hits on the night on their way to a 26-5 victory, but they had 41 baserunners. Lancaster walked 13 times, were hit by five pitches, and had two baserunners reach via error.

That is some offensive output and impressive patience to say the least.