Jimmy Sherfy isn't built nor look like your typical closer. He's barely 6-0 (and more like 5-10) and is thin at 170 pounds. He has long, flowing blond hair. He has a funky herky, jerky delivery that hardly fits any classic mechanical profiles. But don't be fooled by the looks, he's a closer all the way. He'd been closing for Oregon for 2 years and winding up a 2nd Team All American. After being taken in the 10th round he now joins an impressive roster of closers up and down the Dbacks organization. He deserved to go higher than the 10th round but a stress fracture in his elbow at the end of his sophomore season probably scared lots of people away. The Dbacks took a chance on him in the 10th round and he didn't sign until just before the deadline.
His professional career is off to a solid start. He struck out the side last night for his 2nd save in 3 games and really looks the part. I compare him to Sergio Romo with a fastball. He throws anywhere from the low to mid 90s, but it's his devastating slider that makes him a frightening bullpen candidate. He's your basic fastball-slider reliever and he still hasn't turned 22 yet. I see him hanging around in Hillsboro for a few more weeks but I expect him to get a taste of a higher level well before this season runs out. He has a real chance to go all the way if he can stay healthy.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Andrew Barbosa, Visalia 6 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 10 K, 0 ER
2 Stars:Juan Rivera, Reno 4 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR (4), 3 RBI
1 Star:Matt Davidson, Reno 2 for 3, 2 BB, 3 R, 1 HR (16), 2 RBI
0 Stars:Felipe Perez, Missoula 4.1 IP, 10 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 10 R, 5 ER
Triple A: Reno 10 @ Las Vegas 12.Charles Brewer didn't have it last night as he couldn't get out of the 3rd inning when Las Vegas scored 10 runs. The offense kept scoring runs the whole game in an effort to overcome the huge deficit, but it was not to be. Juan Rivera went 4 for with 3 RBI in his bid to carry the offense. Matt Davidson is having a torrid July and went 2 for 3 with his 16th home run. Mike Jacobs hit his 12th home run in 36 games.
Double A: Mobile 1 @ Birmingham 3.David Holmberg had a very "un-Holmberg-like" game last night allowing just 1 run over 5 innings, but he allowed 4 walks along with 4 hits. Holmberg is not known for walking guys so it's not a pitching line we're used to seeing from him. The offense only came up with 1 run of its own and the bullpen couldn't keep the score locked down. Nick Evans led the 5-hit attack with 2 doubles and an RBI.
High A: Visalia 6 Stockton 5.Andrew Barbosa had perhaps his finest start as a professional with 6 shutout innings on just 1 hit and 3 walks while striking out 10. It's the kind of performance in the California League that provides hints of a real pitching prospect. Consistency to perform at the level is what will provide actual evidence of such. Barbosa didn't get rewarded for his effort as the bullpen surrendered 5 runs over the final 3 innings to send the game into extra innings long after Barbosa was gone. The offense won it in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the 11th inning when Tom Belza singled home Evan Marzilli with 2 outs. Belza went 3 for 5 with a triple and 3 RBI. David Peralta also had 3 hits including a double and an RBI.
Low A: South Bend - Off Day
Short Season A: Hillsboro 9 @ Salem-Keizer 6. 1st round pick Braden Shipley made his 5th start of the year and as in his others has yet to get through 3 innings. He got through 2.2 innings allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits while striking out 3. He has 12 Ks and 4 walks in 9.1 innings thus far. The offense came through with 9 runs on 13 hits led by George Roberts with 2 hits and 4 RBI. Jimmy Sherfy struck out the side in the 9th for his 2nd save.
Rookie: Missoula 7 @ Idaho Falls 12. Felipe Perez had a rare poor start getting knocked out in the 5th inning after allowing 10 runs (5 earned). The offense battled to try and get back in it led by Colin Bray with 3 hits including a double. He's hitting .305 on the season. Stryker Trahan went 2 for 3 with a walk, a double and 2 runs scored. Following a shaky June in which he posted a .661 OPS, Trahan is having a powerhouse July with a .317 average, 10 RBI and a .956 OPS.
AZL Rookie: Dbacks 0 @ Padres 5. Brad Keller hit his first bump in the road pitching just 3 innings and allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 3 walks. The offense did nothing collecting just 4 singles and no walks.