Wednesday Journal is following former area ballplayers as they try to make it to the majors. Every week the Watch keeps readers updated on their progress. Stats are through Sunday.
Gulf Coast League Pirates second baseman Caleb Fields hit his second homer of the season on Friday, a three-run shot in an 8-3 win over the Reds. Fields added a single and run scored in each of his three other games on the week. He has a five-game hitting streak and has reached safely in his last seven. Fields is hitting .273 with a .341 on-base percentage in 42 games.
Derek Schlecker did not pitch in any of Orem’s six games last week. Schlecker is 0-3 with a 3.66 ERA for the Owlz, the Los Angeles Angels’ entry in the rookie Pioneer League. He has allowed just 33 hits and five walks in 32 innings for a fine WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.19.
Gulf Coast League Yankees pitcher Tim Dennehy allowed two runs in five innings on Aug. 21, taking a no-decision; he left a 2-2 ballgame before the Yanks posted five in the ninth for a 7-2 win. Dennehy has lasted exactly five innings in three of his four starts (he went 2 1/3 in the other). He is 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA as a starter and 4-0, 3.78 out of the bullpen.
Vasili Spanos went 3-for-15 with a run and three strikeouts last week. At .276, his average is the lowest it has been since it was .275 on July 19. Spanos has 10 homers and 52 RBIs in 100 games.