MWL Fort Wayne TinCaps

TinCaps Transactions & Game Information: June 17 vs. Dayton Dragons (Reds)

Published on June 17, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


The San Diego Padres have made the following Minor League transactions:

Effective Friday, June 16, 2023

Right-handed reliever Henry Henry transferred from Double-A San Antonio to High-A Fort Wayne (uniform: No. 26)

Right-handed reliever Bobby Milacki transferred from High-A Fort Wayne to Double-A San Antonio

Fort Wayne TinCaps (29-32) vs. Dayton Dragons (30-31)

Saturday, June 17 | 6:35 p.m. ET | Parkview Field | Fort Wayne, IN

RHP Victor Lizarraga (No. 7 Padres prospect) vs. RHP Julian Aguiar

Video: Bally Live app | MiLB.TV | MLB.TV | Radio: 1380 The Fan & 100.9 FM

GAME OF THE DAY: Sunday's matchup between the TinCaps and Dragons is Minor League Baseball's "Free Game of the Day," meaning it'll stream free on MLB.com, the MLB app, the MLB Pipeline homepage, Padres.com, Reds.com, and MiLB.com, in addition to the Bally Live app as usual. The showcase is headlined by Fort Wayne's shortstop Jackson Merrill (MLB.com's No. 14 prospect) and Dayton's shortstop Edwin Arroyo (MLB.com's No. 32 prospect). They're the 2 highest-ranked prospects in the Midwest League this season.

5,000,000 FANS: With a sellout crowd of 7,440 fans at Parkview Field Friday night, the TinCaps welcomed their 5 millionth fan since the ballpark opened in 2009. Wes Knuth, along with his wife and 3 kids, were selected at random as the milestone fans. They were treated to a VIP experience.

FORT WAYNE FAITHFUL: The TinCaps have averaged 4,601 fans per game so far this year across 32 openings, including 4 sellouts. Fort Wayne's average attendance ranks 3rd out of 60 High-A and Single-A clubs, and is greater than 19 Double-A teams and 5 in Triple-A.

HOT CAPS: The TinCaps have won 8 of their last 11 games. The 'Caps are 3-0-1 in their last 4 series, and 4-1-1 since the start of May.

BETTER THAN THEIR RECORD: Based off their +16 run differential for the year, the TinCaps project to have a 32-29 record (3 games better than their actual mark).

STARTING PITCHING: TinCaps starters have the 4th lowest ERA in the Midwest League (3.35). Fort Wayne relievers have a 4.77 ERA, 3rd highest.

STREAKS: Jakob Marsee and Juan Zabala have reached base in 12 games in a row, while Brandon Valenzuela is on a 9-gamer and Joshua Mears 7.

JACKSON MERRILL: Since May 5, 6th in the MWL in average (.312)... For season, ranks 6th in R (35)... 6th lowest K% (13%) and 9th lowest SwStr% (6.6%).

JAKOB MARSEE: Only player in MWL to appear in 61 games so far this year... In MWL, ranks 1st in runs (47), 2nd in walks (45; 17% BB%), 3rd lowest SwStr% (6%), 5th in SB (20) and BB/K (0.9), and 9th in OBP (.386)

MARCOS CASTAÑON: In the MWL, ranks 6th in 2B (13), 7th in H (56), and 10th in RBIs (32).

NATHAN MARTORELLA: In the MWL, ranks tied for 1st in HR (11), 2nd in G (60), RBIs (44), TB (105), 5th in R (40), BB (40; 15% BB%), SLG (.495), H (57) and ISO (.215), 6th in OPS (.878), 2B (13), BB/K (0.9), wOBA (.395) and wRC+ (146).

MORE ON MARTORELLA: He's on pace to hit 20 home runs in this 120-game season. Fort Wayne's franchise record for home runs in a season is 21, set by Fernando Tatis Jr. in 2017. Tatis played in 117 games as a TinCap before a promotion to Double-A San Antonio... The schedule was 132-games long through 2019... Martorella's current .878 OPS would rank 5thhighest in franchise history for a season. The record is .956, set by Jaff Decker in 2009, followed by Jason Hagerty (2010, .917)... Fernando Tatis Jr. (2017, .910)... and Rymer Liriano (2011, .882)... Over the last 2 seasons at the High-A level, the highest OPS posted by a Fort Wayne player was Agustín Ruiz in 2021 (.809). He was called up to San Antonio after playing in 72 games.

POWER PERSPECTIVE: As a team, the TinCaps are on pace to hit 97 homers in this 120-game season... The franchise record is 127, set in 2017... If the season was still 132 games long, this year's team would be on track for 106 homers.

DOWNS: The younger brother of first base coach Jerry Downs played for the Dragons in 2018. Jeter Downs, an infielder, made his MLB debut with the Red Sox last year and has been up with the Nationals this year.

JUSTIN FARMER: Since May 11, 32 G, slashing .295 / .387 / .426 (.813 OPS) with 2 HR, 20 RBIs and 10 SB - top 15 in MWL in AVG, OBP & OPS. (First 24 games: .135 / .256 / .230, .486 OPS.)

BRANDON VALENZUELA: Among MWL batters with 120 or more plate appearances, ranks 6th in SLG (.495) and OPS (.876), and 7th in AVG (.297) and wRC+ (152).

HAYDEN'S HOMECOMING: Dayton catcher Hayden Jones grew up in Fort Wayne and graduated from Carroll High School in 2018. Playing under coach Dave Ginder, was a 4-year letterwinner, 3-time all-state selection, and 2-time team captain. The Chargers won a sectional title his senior season, as he was also MVP of Indiana's North/South All-Star Game... Went to Mississippi State for a season and then spent 2 years at Illinois State before signing with the Reds in August 2021... His dad (Ken) was drafted by the Padres in 1995 and that year played in the Midwest League with the Clinton LumberKings.

260 TO A PRO: Jones is 1 of 11 guys from the Fort Wayne area currently playing professional baseball. The list also includes Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (Bishop Luers, 2008) and Tigers infielder Zach McKinstry (North Side, 2014), who last played here in 2018.

Check out the Fort Wayne TinCaps Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 17, 2023


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