Visalia Rawhide News: July 19 - July 25, 2024

The Visalia Rawhide, the Single-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have had a mixed bag of results over the past week. The team has shown flashes of brilliance, but also struggled in some key games.

Series Against San Jose

The Rawhide faced off against the San Jose Giants in their opening week series. Unfortunately, they dropped the series, with San Jose taking game three by a score of 3-0. Despite this setback, the Rawhide did manage to capture their first home win of the 2024 season, a promising sign for the team's home form.

Road Trip Success

On a more positive note, the Rawhide concluded a successful nine-game road trip with a 6-3 record. This included a 5-1 win over Rancho Cucamonga, where they improved their overall record during the trip. The team's ability to perform well on the road will be crucial as they navigate the long season ahead.

Standout Performances

Several players have made significant contributions to the team's success. Druw Jones, MLB's No. 35 prospect, hit his first professional home run in style, notching the milestone in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game. Additionally, Adonys Perez had a career-high seven strikeouts in six innings pitched against Inland Empire.

Defensive Highlights

The Rawhide have also showcased their defensive prowess. Druw Jones won the MiLB Best Defensive Play of the Year Award with an impressive over-the-shoulder catch. Jhosmer Alvarez recorded five strikeouts in an inning, equaling the record for strikeouts in a single frame.

Inconsistency Remains a Challenge

Despite these highlights, the Rawhide have struggled with consistency. They fell in the last game of the series against Inland Empire and have committed errors that have cost them games, such as in their 4-3 loss to Lake Elsinore. The team will need to work on minimizing these mistakes to achieve more consistent results.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, the Visalia Rawhide will look to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses. With a talented roster that includes six of the Diamondbacks' top 25 prospects, the team has the potential to make a significant impact in the league. Fans can stay up-to-date with the latest news and scores on the team's official website.