Weekly Farm Recap 4/15-21: Schrock and Knizner Can’t Stop Hitting

Another week, another minor league recap. It was a week of averaging out, with every level but Memphis now no more than two games away from .500. Some pitching staffs met some major struggles, but bats were strong throughout the system. As always, you can read this week’s daily reports right here.

Memphis Redbirds - Week: (4-3), Year (13-4)

Memphis seemed a bit more human this week than they had previously, going just over .500 for the past seven games. Their overall record remains a strong 13-4, despite constant roster turnover in conjunction with the big league club’s call-ups and demotions.

Pitcher of the Week

Jack Flaherty (RHP): 1 GS, CG (7 IP), 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 Ks

Going the distance with an asterisk, Flaherty threw a seven-inning complete game in half of a doubleheader on Thursday, as minor league doubleheaders are shortened to seven innings per game. He was again dominant, with just two hits, a walk and a run given up while striking out six. With Adam Wainwright now on the 10-day DL, Flaherty looks to be in line for some time in the major league rotation.

Player of the Week

Max Schrock (2B): .440/.440/.560, 4 R, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K

Part of Max Schrock’s scouting report from many A’s analysts at the time of the Piscotty trade was that he is fantastic at making contact. A gap, line drive hitter, Schrock lived up to his reputation this week, taking no walks and striking out just once while going 11-for-25 with 3 doubles.

Springfield Cardinals - Week: (4-1), Year (7-7)

The Springfield Cardinals righted the ship this week, with a 4-1 performance getting their overall record up to .500. The bats were dominant, scoring 40 runs in the five-game span, with 14 of those coming last Sunday against Frisco.

Pitcher of the Week

Chris Ellis (RHP): 2 G, 3 IP, 1 SV, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 Ks

Ellis made some strong relief appearances for Springfield, including a two-inning save on Tuesday. He was perfect across his three innings of relief, allowing no baserunners and striking out four of the nine batters he faced.

Player of the Week

Andrew Knizner (C): .563/.632/.688, 3 R, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 3 BB

Andrew Knizner’s bat continues to show promise. Pitchers didn’t stand a chance, as he was 9-for-16 in four games, walking three times and striking out the same. He hasn’t shown a ton of power, but the contact ability and plate discipline are nice to see on their own.

Palm Beach Cardinals - Week: (2-4), Year (9-7)

A 7-3 start was followed by a very rough week for Palm Beach, dropping more games in seven days than they had in ten games prior.

Pitcher of the Week

Evan Kruczynski (LHP): 1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 Ks

Kruczynski delivered one of the most complete pitching performances of the week for the struggling Palm Beach Cardinals, securing one of their two wins for the period. He struck out nine through his six innings, walking just one while surrendering three hits.

Player of the Week

Andy Young (2B): .391/.440/.696 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB

Young’s hot start to the year continues, as he again holds the POTW spot for Palm Beach. His power showing has continued, having hit two homers in Wednesday’s game against Bradenton. Young now has five total home runs through fourteen games.

Peoria Chiefs - Week: (5-1), Year (7-6)

The Chiefs are another team who did a complete 180 on their performance up to the start of the week, going on a 5-1 tear and rising above .500. Peoria outscored their opponents 26-11 over the past week.

Pitcher of the Week

Zach Prendergast (RHP): 2 G, 1 GS, 1 SV, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 Ks

Prendergast both started and pitched in relief this week, starting Tuesday’s game with 2 IP and picking up a 3-inning save yesterday. He pitched well in both outings, but Saturday’s relief performance was his best work, with no hits/runs/walks allowed and five strikeouts.

Player of the Week

Elehuris Montero (3B): .412/.474/.765, 4 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB

Montero has hit the ball well over Peoria’s last six, touting an OPS of over 1.200 and slugging his first two homers of the year. The 19-year-old infielder is off to a nice start this year, going 17-for-41 with 5 XBHs in his first 12 games.