CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: April 7 vs. Lynchburg

Published on April 7, 2019 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


The Myrtle Beach Pelicans host the Lynchburg Hillcats (affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) in Sunday's 6:05 p.m. contest. Today's game features RHP Javier Assad (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who starts for the Birds against LHP Eli Morgan (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Coverage begins at 5:50 p.m. on MiLB.tv, MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, TuneIn and the MiLB First Pitch app.

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PITCHING DOMINATES, OFFENSE TIMELY IN BIRDS FIRST WIN

Paul Richan (3.2 IP), Ryan Kellogg (3.1) and Ben Hecht (2.0) combined for the first shutout of the season for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in a 2-0 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats on Saturday evening from TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. The offense, while not plentiful, gave the Birds all they would need in the sixth. Tyler Payne's single combined with a Lynchburg error allowed Wladimir Galindo to score from first, breaking a scoreless tie. Payne then scored on a passed ball later in the frame to make it 2-0.

MY OH AMAYA

Miguel Amaya, who is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Cubs organization by Baseball America and No. 1 by MLB.com, has started off the season on a hot streak. In his first two games, the Pelicans backstop is 3-for-7 with a double, a home run and four RBIs. Out of the 10 runs the Birds have put up on the board so far this season, the 20-year-old has accounted for six of them (four RBIs and two runs). He has also pegged two runners attempting to steal in five attempts so far. In 2018 with Low-A South Bend, Amaya hit .256/.349/.403 in 116 games while hitting 21 doubles, 12 home runs and knocking in 52.

THE STAFF IS RICHAN ARMS

Following up a game in which Bryan Hudson put together a solid start against the Hillcats on Friday (5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K), Paul Richan put forth a strong High-A debut on Saturday. Though his 3.2 scoreless innings were impressive, he pounded the zone against a pesky Hillcats lineup which fouled off 27 of his 58 strikes (82 total pitches, 70 percent for strikes). In the bullpen, Ryan Kellogg struck out four in his 3.1 innings and Ben Hecht whiffed three over his two innings. The shutout was the first on the season for the Birds' staff after the Pelicans finished tied for second in the league in 2018 with 16 shutouts.

BRINGING IN THE BIG GUNS

A new year means many new players in the Pelicans' clubhouse, and this year, there are some big-time prospects on the squad. The Opening Day roster features six top prospects (according to the Cubs Top 30 Prospect Rankings from Baseball America). Catcher Miguel Amaya (No. 2 in Baseball America, No. 1 on MLB.com) leads the pack while shortstop Aramis Ademan (No. 10 in Baseball America, No. 6 on MLB.com) isn't far behind as he returns for his second year in Myrtle Beach. RHP Paul Richan (No. 7 in Baseball America, No. 18 on MLB.com) and RHP Alex Lange (No. 14 in Baseball America, No. 12 on MLB.com) are the two prospects on the bump for the Birds. While they don't come in on MLB.com, outfielders D.J. Wilson (No. 25 in Baseball America) and Jimmy Herron (No. 27 in Baseball America) round out the list for Myrtle Beach.

FAMILIAR FACES IN THE SAME PLACES

The Birds welcome in 10 holdovers from prior years back to Myrtle Beach for Opening Day. LHP Ryan Kellogg is back for his third season on the Grand Strand, while infielder Carlos Sepulveda returns after spending 28 games in Myrtle Beach in 2017 and missing the 2018 season with a right arm injury. On the mound, starters Alex Lange and Bryan Hudson are in baby blue again and relievers Kellogg and Tyler Peyton give some depth to a young bullpen. On the infield, Wladimir Galindo, Aramis Ademan and Yeiler Peguero are all back, while the outfield features a pair of recognizable faces in Kevonte Mitchell and D.J. Wilson.

WELCOME TO THE STEVE LERUD SHOW

After Buddy Bailey held the skipper role for the Birds over the last three seasons, Steve Lerud takes over at the helm in 2019. The new manager offers an interesting juxtaposition from the old, as Bailey is the active winningest manager in the MiLB, while Lerud enters just his second season managing in the minors. Though his first season with short season Low A Eugene ended in a 31-45 (.408) regular season in 2018, the Emeralds blasted through postseason play to win the Northwest League Championship on a walk-off balk. The 34-year-old played in the minor leagues for 13 seasons as a catcher and played nine games for the Phillies between 2012 and 2013. Along the way, he played in Lynchburg in 2007 and 2008.

PELICAN POINTS

Winning while not scoring many runs was a theme of 2018 as well. After April, the Pelicans were 42-19 when they scored three or more runs. When they scored four or more runs, the Birds were 35-9...Since joining with Chicago in 2015, the Birds are 1-1-2 in the Opening Series, with a total record of 9-10 against their first opponent in the opening tilt.

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