Pitchers of the Week
Chris Tillman, Norfolk
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 1 G, 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
In the week of the no-hitter in Minor League Baseball, Norfolk's Chris Tillman got things rolling on Wednesday with a no-hitter against the Gwinnett Braves. Despite seeming to have been around forever, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hander is just 22 years old and is again knocking on the door of the big leagues. The 2009 International League All-Star had struggled in his first few starts, but was nearly flawless on Wednesday. The 2006 second-round pick of the Seattle Mariners was one of the key pieces to head to Baltimore for Erik Bedard in February 2008.
Pacific Coast League
Joshua Collmenter, Reno
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
In a rare feat, the Aces' Joshua Collmenter won the Pitcher of the Week Award with Reno one week after taking home the award with the Class A Advanced Visalia Rawhide. In his first Triple-A start, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound righty went seven innings and allowed just three hits while fanning eight. Just a 15th-round pick by the D-backs in 2007, Collmenter is just a step away from the Majors after a tremendous first month.
Eastern League
Daryl Maday, Richmond
2-0, 1.54 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 2/3 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
The Flying Squirrels' right-hander has been dominant all season. In five starts, he has yet to allow more than two runs, and he was particularly effective over the past week. The former 30th-round Draft choice of the Giants picked up a pair of wins for Richmond, allowing just two runs over two starts. On April 27 against Bowie, the University of Arkansas product went 5 2/3 frames, allowing a run on three hits. On Sunday, he went six against Bowie, fanning five and walking one. For the season, he is 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA.
Southern League
Alejandro Sanabia, Jacksonville
1-0, 1.38 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 13 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 14 K
In the shadow of Mike Stanton's monster week, teammate Alejandro Sanabia moved to 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA with two terrific starts. In Stanton's three-home run game April 26, Sanabia scattered five singles and a walk while striking out seven over seven scoreless innings. On Saturday against Mississippi, he struck out seven again, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over six innings and not getting a decision in a 7-4 loss.
Texas League
Ryan Brasier, Arkansas
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
One of the more unlikely no-hit stories in the Minors, converted reliever Ryan Brasier managed the feat against the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday. With just three strikeouts, Brasier used the defense behind him to stifle Tulsa's attack. Brasier had given up nine runs in 9 2/3 innings in his previous two starts, but he had no trouble with the Drillers.
California League
Bobby LaFromboise, High Desert
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Tall right-hander Bobby LaFramboise has been one of the best pitchers in the California League this season, and he got rewarded with Player of the Week honors after another fine start last week. Facing Lancaster on April 28, LaFromboise pitched seven scoreless, fanning six while allowing four hits and two walks. The High Desert Maverick, a 14th-round pick by Arizona in 2007, is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA in four starts this season.
Carolina League
Mitchell Herold, Salem
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 0 GS, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Mitchell Herold was dominant out of the Red Sox bullpen last week, allowing just one hit in six innings across two outings for Salem. He fanned three and was unscored upon on the week. The Central Florida product was an 18th-round pick in the 2008 Draft by the Red Sox, and after dominating the South Atlantic League last season, he's allowed just one walk in 16 1/3 innings while sporting a 0.55 ERA so far in 2010.
Florida State League
Kyle Gibson, Fort Myers
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Tall righty Kyle Gibson is proving too advanced for Class A Advanced this season. After pitching well in three previous performances, Gibson was truly dominant Thursday, pitching a complete-game one-hitter against Jupiter. He faced the minimum 27 batters, struck out six and walked just one. The only hit was an infield single past the mound. A 2009 first-round choice by Minnesota out of the University of Missouri, Gibson looks ready to climb the ladder quickly. He is 2-1 with a 1.76 ERA and 28 strikeouts to just seven walks in 30 2/3 innings this season.
Midwest League
Daniel Osterbrock, Beloit
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
With his second straight Pitcher of the Week Award, the Snappers' Daniel Osterbrock is proving to be much more effective in his second go-round in the Midwest League. Last season, had a 5.19 ERA despite more strikeouts (140) than innings pitched (137). This season, the strikeouts are still there -- 27 in 27 1/3 frames -- but he's allowed just five walks and one home run in five starts. On Saturday against Wisconsin, Osterbrock was unhittable. He pitched a seven-inning no-hitter against the Timber Rattlers, fanning seven and walking just one. The University of Cincinnati product has allowed just two runs over 20 1/3 innings in his last three starts.
South Atlantic League
Cesar Cabral, Greenville
0-0, 2 S, 0.00 ERA, 3 G, 0 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
The left-handed Cesar Cabral becomes the second reliever from the Red Sox organization to take home Player of the Week honors this week. Cabral pitched five no-hit innings out of the 'pen, collecting two saves and six strikeouts in three appearances. Signed out of the Dominican Republic at age 16 in 2005, Cabral is enjoying his first go at full-season ball. He's fanned 20 and hasn't allowed a homer in 15 relief innings to start the season for the Drive.