ACL Dodgers (Rookie) — W 16-5 vs ACL D-backs

This is the one you want to read about first. Francisco Espinoza went 3-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI in a 16-5 demolition of the ACL D-backs. That’s not a typo — five RBI on a perfect night at the plate. Espinoza is a catcher, still in the Arizona Complex League, so we’re early in this story. But a performance like this is hard to ignore. The power was real and so was the plate discipline — he didn’t chase, he didn’t need to. Keep an eye on this one.

He had plenty of company. Matt Gorski went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, a walk, a stolen base, and three runs scored. That’s the kind of all-around game you want to see from a guy working his way back through the lower levels — contributing in every column. Moises Acacio added two doubles and three RBI from the shortstop spot, while Abel Lorenzo chipped in two hits including a double, an RBI, two steals, and three runs scored. Jhon Gil reached base three times (2-for-3 with a walk), scored three runs, and swiped two bags. This lineup was relentless from top to bottom.

On the mound, Jose Taveras picked up the win (1-1), going 3.0 innings with three strikeouts against two walks and two earned runs. Not spotless, but he gave the offense enough runway, and with 16 runs of support, the bullpen could cruise from there. Reyli Mariano (1-for-5, 2 RBI, stolen base) and Moises Bolivar (2-for-5, double) rounded out a night where seemingly everyone contributed. Daniel Mielcarek drew a walk and scored twice despite striking out three times — a mixed bag, but he found ways to get on.

Great Lakes Loons (High-A) — W 7-1 vs Lansing Lugnuts

Great Lakes was the other bright spot on the day, and honestly, this might have been the most encouraging game across the system from a developmental standpoint. The Loons put together a complete performance — quality at-bats up and down the lineup and strong pitching throughout. Cameron Decker set the table all night, going 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, two stolen bases, and three runs scored. That’s getting on base in four of five plate appearances and creating havoc on the bases. That’s what you want to see from a young infielder at this level.

Victor Rodrigues swung the hottest bat, going 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Samuel Munoz was right there with him at 3-for-4, including a double and two RBI. When your five, six, seven hitters are all producing like that, you’re going to score runs. Jose Meza went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and Emil Morales contributed a double, an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base from the shortstop spot. Morales continues to show the well-rounded game that makes him an interesting name at High-A.

The pitching told the story just as much. Zach Root gave the Loons 4.1 solid innings — four strikeouts, one walk, and just one earned run. He handed things off to Jacob Frost, who was dominant in relief. Frost earned the win (7-3) with 2.2 shutout innings, punching out five without issuing a walk. Seven wins already on the season for Frost — the results keep piling up. Is he knocking on the door at Double-A? The strikeout numbers suggest he might be ready for tougher competition soon.

Oklahoma City Comets (Triple-A) — L 4-5 vs Reno Aces

A one-run loss to Reno, which is about as frustrating as it sounds. The headline here is Teoscar Hernández, who went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and a strikeout. If you’re seeing Teo’s name in a Triple-A box score, you already know the context — this is a rehab assignment or a conditioning stint, and the fact that he’s squaring up baseballs well enough to leave the yard is the relevant takeaway. The at-bats are what matter, and the power looked fine.

Griffin Lockwood-Powell went 0-for-2 but drew two walks. Not a flashy line, but a young catcher who takes four plate appearances and refuses to chase twice? That’s a good sign for the process. The Comets couldn’t quite push enough across to hold on in this one, but there wasn’t a lot of offensive data to work with beyond those two names in tonight’s highlights.

Tulsa Drillers (Double-A) — L 1-10 vs Corpus Christi Hooks

Not much to sugarcoat here. The Drillers got thumped 1-10 by Corpus Christi, and the offense was nearly nonexistent. Mike Sirota accounted for the only run with a solo home run, going 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. The homer is nice, but the rest of the lineup couldn’t do much of anything to support him.

Zyhir Hope went 0-for-2 with two walks and two strikeouts. Four plate appearances, zero balls in play. That’s a night where Hope showed some discipline by taking his walks, but also couldn’t put the bat on the ball when he swung. At the Double-A level, the pitching is going to challenge you, and tonight it clearly won that battle for Tulsa’s lineup. You flush this one and move on.

Ontario Tower Buzzers (Single-A) — L 3-5 vs Visalia Rawhide

The Tower Buzzers dropped a close one to Visalia, but there were some individual performances worth noting. Jaron Elkins was the story — 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and three stolen bases. Three steals in one game at any level is impressive. That kind of speed, combined with the ability to get on base (three times in four plate appearances), is a tool that translates. Elkins is someone we should be watching regularly.

Easton Shelton provided the power with a solo homer, going 1-for-4 with a strikeout. Brendan Tunink had a solid night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, though the two strikeouts are worth noting. Kellon Lindsey was hit by a pitch, stole a base, and scored a run despite going 0-for-3 — finding ways to contribute even on a hitless night.

On the mound, Mason Estrada was quietly excellent. Five innings, four strikeouts, two walks, and just one earned run. That’s exactly what you want from a Single-A starter — going deep enough into the game to give the lineup a chance, keeping the team in it. The bullpen let this one slip away, which is a shame given how well Estrada held up his end.

DSL Dodgers (Rookie) — L 2-15 vs DSL Braves

A rough day for our DSL squad against the Braves. When you lose 2-15, there’s not a lot to dissect offensively. Willy Bergolla went 1-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases — at least showing some life on the bases. Adrian Del Cid went 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base, though he was also caught stealing. Rubel Arias was hit by a pitch, scored a run, and stole a base, but went 0-for-3 at the plate.

These are the kinds of games that happen in the Dominican Summer League. The talent is raw, the pitching can be inconsistent, and blowouts are part of the landscape. You look for individual moments and move forward. The speed is there across the roster — four stolen bases as a team even in a lopsided loss. That’s something.

DSL Dodgers (Rookie) — L 9-11 vs DSL Tampa Bay

The second DSL game was at least competitive, even if it ended in another loss. The Dodgers put up nine runs against Tampa Bay but couldn’t hold on, falling 9-11. Jose Victorino stood out with incredible plate discipline — 1-for-1 with a double, three walks, and a hit-by-pitch. That’s reaching base in all five plate appearances. For a young shortstop in the DSL, that kind of selectivity is worth more than any single-game stat line might suggest.

Helvin Mendoza went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored — a productive night. Jesus Villaflor drove in two runs on a 1-for-5 night, and Jose Rivas went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI from behind the plate. Juan Macero scored twice despite going 1-for-4 with two strikeouts, and Edgar Sanchez drew two walks and scored a run without recording a hit. The offense generated enough to win this one, but the pitching and defense couldn’t hold the lead. Nine runs should be enough. It wasn’t.