Arkansans Across the Minors

Bryant Nelson
Bryant Nelson

Who's hot

ZACH GEORGE (A Pirates) went 11 for 27 (.407) with 3 runs scored, 4 RBI, 2 stolen bases and 11 walks in his past 10 games through Thursday. George (Arkansas State/Paragould) went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and 1 run scored Tuesday in a 13-2 victory over the Lexington Legends (A Royals).

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David Harris

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Andy Ferguson

AHARON EGGLESTON (Independent) went 16 for 48 (.333) with 9 runs scored, 7 RBI and 2 stolen bases in his past 10 games through Thursday. Eggleston (Southern Arkansas) went 3 for 4 with a stolen base Thursday in a 2-0 loss to the York Revolution.

BRYANT NELSON (Independent) continues to be steady, but has cooled off in his past four games. He went 12 for 37 (.324) with 8 runs scored and 4 RBI in his past 10 games through Thursday. Nelson (Crossett) went 3 for 5 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored on Aug. 14 in a 6-5 victory over the Somerset Patriots but is just 1 for 10 (.100) in his past 4 games.

DELTA CLEARY (Independent/Jonesboro) went 16 for 39 (.410), including 4 doubles and 1 triple, with 5 RBI and 6 runs scored in his past 10 games through Thursday.

RYAN SCOTT (Short-A Red Sox/UALR/North Little Rock) went 12 for 36 (.333), including a home run, with 7 runs scored and 9 RBI in his past 10 games through Thursday.

News and notes

• Infielder Andy Wilkins (Arkansas Razorbacks) was optioned to Class AAA Colorado Springs by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Wilkins was used almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter for the Brewers, hitting .125 with 1 home run and 3 RBI in 24 at-bats.

• Outfielder David Harris (Southern Arkansas) returned from his 76-game suspension Thursday for the Dunedin Blue Jays (High-A Blue Jays) and went 1 for 3 with 1 run scored, 1 RBI and 2 walks in a 7-6 loss to the Daytona Tortugas (High-A Reds). Harris, 24, was one of four Blue Jays minor leaguers suspended May 20 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

• Pitcher Keegan Ghidotti (Ouachita Baptist) was placed on the 7-day disabled list by the independent Lake Erie Crushers on Aug. 12, then was moved to the 60-day disabled list on Aug. 13. Lake Erie radio broadcaster Andy Barch said Ghidotti appears to have suffered a knee injury. "I know he injured his knee while he was warming up," Barch said. "He was running and injured his knee, but I'm not 100 percent sure if it was an ACL or MCL or his meniscus."

• Outfielder Clark Eagan (Razorbacks) remains on the active roster for the West Virginia Black Bears (Short-A Pirates), but he has not played since West Virginia beat the Williamsport Crosscutters (Short-A Phillies) on Aug. 7. "He is active but that is all I have for you," West Virginia assistant general manager Jackie Riggleman said. "All player information goes through the Pirates and that is all they are willing to give at this time."

• First baseman Dominic Ficociello (Razorbacks) hasn't played for the Erie SeaWolves (AA Tigers) since Aug. 11 because of a minor ankle issue. "He twisted his ankle in a game against Hartford (AA Rockies) last weekend. Nothing serious, he's just day-to-day," SeaWolves assistant general manager Greg Gania said.

• Pitcher Andy Ferguson (Arkansas State/Benton) was placed on the disabled list Wednesday by the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA Royals) with a right (throwing) shoulder injury. Specifics of the injury were not known at press time, but it's the same shoulder that kept Ferguson at the Royals' spring training facility to start the season before starting a rehab assignment in early July.

• Two players with Arkansas ties have been assigned to new teams for rehab assignments. Outfielder Forrestt Allday (Central Arkansas) was assigned to the Orem Owlz (rookie Angels) while catcher Tyler Spoon (Razorbacks) was assigned to the Lowell Spinners (Short-A Red Sox). Allday went 1 for 3 with 1 run scored in his first game Wednesday as the Owlz beat the Missoula Osprey (rookie Diamondbacks) 12-1. Spoon has gone 1 for 6 with 1 run scored and 1 walk in his first 2 games with the Spinners.

• Infielder Logan Uxa (Arkansas State) was placed on the retired list by the independent Washington Wild Things on Aug. 11. Uxa played in 43 games for the Wild Things this season, batting .257 (36 for 140) with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs and 21 RBI.

Around the horn

• Pitcher Jalen Beeks (Razorbacks/Fayetteville) was hit hard in a loss Wednesday as the Portland Sea Dogs (AA Red Sox) lost 7-4 to the Altoona Curve (AA Pirates) in the second game of a doubleheader. Beeks allowed 5 earned runs on 7 hits with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts over 5 innings. ... Reliever Chase Huchingson (Central Arkansas/Fayetteville) also struggled Wednesday as the Las Vegas 51s (AAA Mets) lost 10-8 to the Round Rock Express (AAA Rangers). Huchingson lasted two-thirds of an inning, allowing 5 earned runs on 5 hits with 1 walk and 1 strikeout. ... Pitcher Mark Reyes (Jessieville) has lost each of his past three starts for the San Jose Giants (High-A Giants). His latest loss came Aug. 13 as the Giants lost to the Lancaster JetHawks (High-A Astros) 16-2. Reyes was tagged for 6 earned runs on 9 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in 31/3 innings. ... Pitcher Trey Killian (Razorbacks/Mountain Home) earned his 10th victory of the season Thursday when the Asheville Tourists (A Rockies) beat the Columbia Fireflies (A Mets) 10-3. Killian went 6 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts. He has had 4 or more strikeouts in each of his past 10 starts, including a season-high 10 against the Lexington Legends (A Royals) on July 16.

-- Todd J. Pearce

Sports on 08/21/2016

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