As we patiently wait for baseball to return to Northern Nevada, the Aces are preparing for Opening Day on April 5th down in Scottsdale, Arizona. Some Aces have gotten out to a hot start like Christian Walker, Kevin Cron, and César Puello. Walker seems to be picking up right where
As we patiently wait for baseball to return to Northern Nevada, the Aces are preparing for Opening Day on April 5th down in Scottsdale, Arizona. Some Aces have gotten out to a hot start like Christian Walker, Kevin Cron, and César Puello. Walker seems to be picking up right where he left off in 2017, he already has two home runs and four RBI in eight spring training games with the D-Backs. The other power-hitting first basemen in the potential 2018 Aces lineup, Kevin Cron, has also hit two home runs and has driven in four RBI in ten Cactus League games. The newest power hitter for the Aces this season will be Cesar Puello. The right-handed hitting outfielder has produced two doubles, four RBI, and has a batting average of .421 in nine games with the D-Backs this spring. All three of these power hitters are looking to bring their hot bats up north and continue to terrorize opposing pitchers.
Fellow teammate Kristopher Negrón also has been having a solid spring, showcasing his speed with two extra-base hits and a steal in games against Colorado and San Francisco. Defensively, Negrón has been reliable as well, recording eight putouts and no errors. Negrón's infield partner, Jack Reinheimer, has been flawless in the field as well and has assisted on fourteen putouts from all over the infield. As the Aces head into the regular season, they will be looking firm defensively in the field.
Reno outfielders that have been seeing time with the big-league club during their time in Arizona have been Sócrates Brito and Jeremy Hazelbaker. Brito made his spring training debut on March 3rd and reached base once on a walk. Brito is working his way back from a hand injury that he sustained in the offseason playing in the Dominican Republic, but this injury should not affect his status for Opening Day. Hazelbaker has two hits this spring, both of which are home runs and one propelled the D-Backs to their Cactus League opener victory over the Rookies.
Starting pitcher Braden Shipley has picked up a win in his only start this spring and hasn't allowed a runner to cross the plate. These types of performances will be welcomed here in Reno as Shipley will be projected to be the Opening Day starter for the Aces. The newcomer in the Aces rotation, Taylor Clarke has had a productive spring as well. Clarke has five strikeouts in four innings of work, and four of those strikeouts coming when Clarke made an appearance out of the bullpen in a tight game against the Colorado Rockies.
With Opening Day, less than a month away, Aces players are looking to bring the momentum they have going in Cactus League play to the regular season, so they can get off to a fast start once games start to count. Your first chance to see the Aces is April 5th at Greater Nevada Field against the Fresno Grizzlies at 6:35 pm.
