Astros Prospect Daz Cameron Struggling At Class-A

Astros Class-A Report: Quad Cities River Bandits (April 17-23)

Astros minor league prospect Daz Cameron is having a difficult time solving Class-A level pitching. The Astros #5 prospect and the #37 player chosen in the 2015 amateur draft is getting plenty of playing time, but as of April 23, he is hitting only .143/.234/.250. Four of his eight hits are for extra bases (two doubles, two triples). He has seven walks and 23 strikeouts in his first 15 Midwest League games.

Cameron didn’t record his first Class-A hit until April 10, the River Bandits fourth game. He got his second hit on April 14, a triple, went hitless the next night and got his first multi-hit game on April 16 when he stroked a double and a single. He struck out three times each on April 10 and 12, and four times on the 17^th.

His struggles prompted Ray Mileur on Astros 411 to write that Cameron: “… looks like he is in over his head.” Of course, the low minor leagues are exactly the place for a young prospect like Daz to figure out how to transition to professional baseball, and the Astros will be patient with their young $4 million prospect. He is under some pressure though to cut down on the strikeouts and to get on base more often, and although it is still early, one has to wonder if Mileur is correct in his assessment.

Catcher Anthony Hermelyn leads the team in average, at .316, followed by Kyle Tucker at .272. Tucker is first in hits (16), RBI (6), and total bases (23). Hermelyn’s .943 OPS is nearly 200 points ahead of second place Tucker. Shortstop Osvaldo Duarte is first in triples (3).

Quad Cities is still last in the league in team batting, but they have raised the team mark to .200. They are first in strikeouts (162), next to last in runs scored (48), last in RBI (36), and last in OPS (.569). On the good side, Bandits hitters are second in walks (57), and third in triples (8).

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Ryan Deemes is the only Quad Cities pitcher who has yet to give up a run (11 innings). Rogelio Armenteros leads the team in innings pitched (18.2), and also the team and the league in strikeouts (20). Bandits pitchers have given up only two home runs and are fifth in strikeouts (136).

The River Bandits went 4-3 this week, bringing their overall record to 6-11, tied for last with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) in the Western Division.

Other notes:

• On April 16, RHP Yeyfry Del Rosario was assigned from Tri-City to Corpus. Two days later, he was assigned to Astros extended Spring Training in Florida. Then, on April 20, he was on the move again, this time, all the way across the US, to the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League (Advanced-A). We are wondering how long before he shakes off the effects of jet lag.

• Connor Goedert, OF-3B-1B, was promoted on April 16 to Quad Cities from Greeneville (Rookie). In 2015, he hit .286 with six home runs and 23 RBI in 63 games for Greeneville. In his first four Midwest League games, he hit .125 with two hits and two RBI.

• LHP Matt Bower started on April 21 against Kane County, went 4.0 innings, striking out nine while walking only one. He gave up three hits and one run.

• The River Bandits announced on April 22 in Ballpark Digest, they would offer free admission to the home game on April 26. This is the second year the Bandits have run this promotion.

Next: Houston Astros: So, What Happens if Tyler White Keeps Hitting?

This week (April 24-30) the River Bandits finish the road trip at Kane County (Diamondbacks) and then play the first five of six games at home. They host the South Bend Cubs for three games, and the West Michigan White Caps (Tigers).

**Statistics provided by MiLB.com. Cover photo courtesy @QCBanditPhotog.**