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This Week in the Minors: Alex Gordon rehabs; Jose Martinez earns awards

Jose Martinez got a month's worth of hits and earned league honors; Alex Gordon returned to the field for the first time since his July 8 injury; Terrance Gore steals all the bases.

By Minda Haas Kuhlmann
Jose Martinez is the Pacific Coast League's Player of the Week, deservedly.
Jose Martinez is the Pacific Coast League's Player of the Week, deservedly.
Minda Haas Kuhlmann

This is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less heralded guys alike.

AAA Omaha Storm Chasers (71-58, 7.5 GB)

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Omaha's hitters did well on a trip west this week, with tons of runs scored in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Jose Martinez led them all, going 16-29 this week and earning Pacific Coast League player of the week honors. His hits included three doubles, a triple, and three home runs. That's good for a (SSS alert!) line of .552/.606/1.034.

Reymond Fuentes was also hot this week, with a pair of dingers contributing to his 12 hits. Fuentes is batting .305/.361/.427 this season.

Alex Gordon is playing live baseball again! Omaha fans greeted him with much fanfare on Sunday, and he repaid them by hitting a home run in the fifth inning.

Joba Chamberlain and Wandy Rodriguez both made their debuts for this organization. Chamberlain had a shaky start, with four runs against him in zero outs Wednesday, but followed that up with two perfect innings. Rodriguez let in one run in under an inning on Tuesday, and pitched 1.2 scoreless innings on Friday.

On the DL:

  • RHP Clayton Mortensen since yesterday, retroactive to August 22, right shoulder tendinitis
  • Outfielder Brett Eibner since August 19, left thumb contusion UPDATE: Eibner was activated from the DL on Tuesday afternoon.
  • Yohan Pino, since July 30, retro to the 27th.
  • Balbino Fuenmayor, since July 25, left knee. He is out 4-6 months.
  • Infielder Gabriel Noriega, since August 5.

AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals (61-64)

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Center fielder Bubba Starling went 8-fo-25 this week with a double. He also struck out five times, bringing his season total to 93 strikeouts in 91 games.

Raul Mondesi piled on nine hits, including a double and a triple. Even with a couple of good weeks recently, the season slash line for the young shortstop is just .256/.283/.402.

Terrance Gore reached base six times this week, and stole five bases. The other time he was on base was a triple, but he did not steal home.

Right-hander Brooks Pounders picked up a win when he struck out five in six innings. He gave up just one run on five hits, and one walk.

Fellow righty Luke Farrell, amid difficult family news, has continued to pitch well. On Thursday, he gave up one run in six innings, allowing six hits and striking out two.

On the DL:

  • Newly-acquired 3B Edward Salcedo, joined the team on August 14 and was placed on the DL August 19 with a left quad injury.
  • RHP Christian Binford since August 16, sore elbow.
  • 2B/SS Logan Davis since August 14.
  • C Micah Gibbs since August 5, left foot contusion.
  • RHP Reid Redman since May 9, retroactive to May 8. He had Tommy John surgery.
  • RHP Glenn Sparkman since April 30, also had Tommy John surgery.
  • Outfielder Mike Bianucci was suspended 80 games for PEDs and is on the Restricted List.

A-Adv. Wilmington Blue Rocks (57-68)

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Not many Blue Rocks batters had illustrious weeks at the plate. But second baseman Carlos Garcia hit two triples, and that's worth observing. With his 8-for-22 week, Garcia is now batting .292/.360/.404 for Wilmington.

Right-hander Evan Beal, who the Royals selected in the draft in both 2009 and 2014, has allowed a lot of baserunners in the month he's been pitching at this level, but has limited the damage and maintained an ERA of 2.66. This week, he struck out three in three perfect innings against Salem.

On the DL:

  • LHP Eric Skoglund since July 20, right elbow.

A Lexington Legends (52-72)

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A pair of 2015 draftees led the Legends' bats this week. Second baseman Austin Bailey, drafted out of the University of San Diego, hit three doubles and a home run.

Outfielder Anderson Miller, from Western Kentucky University, has 11 total doubles as a professional ballplayer. Four of them came this week. Through 42 games across three levels, Miller is batting .297/.328/.430.

Lefty Foster Griffin struck out seven batters in six innings Saturday, and allowed two runs while picking up the win.

On the DL:

  • Shortstop Corey Toups, since Sunday.

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