Farm System

[Clapp]

Some nice quotes from Villanueva after the game (link).

 

Since May 21, Villanueva has registered just 11 hits in 58 at-bats, resulting in a .190 average over that stretch that had sent his season-long mark tumbling to .222 entering Monday. That sent the 22-year-old in search of helpful words from fellow prospects and coaches.



"I talked to some of my teammates that have a lot of experience at this level like [infielder Chris] Valaika," Villanueva said. "He's been helping me a lot, talking to me about pitchers, what they're trying to do with hitters. My hitting coach, [Brian] Harper, he's been working with me a lot trying to get me out of this slump."

 

"This is a new level," Villanueva said. "There are a lot of guys with a lot of experience here, guys who have gone to the big leagues and been up and down. The sequences that they throw, they don't throw too many fastballs like Double-A or high A. We need to adjust to those breaking balls."

 

Like Villanueva, Baez has been struggling to put together a solid span in the Pacific Coast League. Also like his left-side counterpart, the shortstop is showing signs of coming to life. After batting just .172 in 15 April games, Baez batted .250 in 29 May contests. Through the first week of June, the 21-year-old is hitting .364 with two home runs, six RBIs and a 1.196 OPS.



"He's seeing the ball better now," Villanueva said of Baez. "He's more patient at the plate. He's doing the same team as my other teammates, just trying to go out there and have fun and enjoy this game."

 

Like Villanueva, Baez has been struggling to put together a solid span in the Pacific Coast League. Also like his left-side counterpart, the shortstop is showing signs of coming to life. After batting just .172 in 15 April games, Baez batted .250 in 29 May contests. Through the first week of June, the 21-year-old is hitting .364 with two home runs, six RBIs and a 1.196 OPS.



"He's seeing the ball better now," Villanueva said of Baez. "He's more patient at the plate. He's doing the same team as my other teammates, just trying to go out there and have fun and enjoy this game."