Jarren Duran has more games with three or more hits (five) than he does hitless games (four) through the 21 he’s played for Class A Advanced Salem in 2019. As a frame of reference, when Mookie Betts played 51 games with Salem in 2013, he had six games with three or more hits (and 13 hitless games).
Duran had his fourth hitless game (0-for-3) in Salem’s 15-7 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs). But he was still productive, knocking in two runs and working three walks. Even after an 0-for-3 day, Duran’s average still sits at .393 while his OPS rests at a comfortable .981.
The 2018 seventh-round pick shouldn’t be sticking around Salem too much longer.
Although, another hitless game and Duran may not have the highest average in Salem. Ryan Fitzgerald went 4-for-6 against Myrtle Beach and boosted his average up to .375. However, the shortstop will likely be stuck with Salem longer than Duran with shortstop C.J. Chatham still tearing things up for Double-A Portland (.344 average and .887 OPS).
Houck dominates again
Speaking of Double-A Portland, Tanner Houck had himself another strong outing, throwing six scoreless innings against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets). The 2017 first-round pick struck out six while scattering five hits and a walk.
Houck hasn’t given up a run in back-to-back outings, with his scoreless streak stretching 13 innings, reaching into his five-inning, one-run start against the Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies). This strong stretch has brought Houck’s ERA down to 3.60 after giving up seven runs over four innings in his first start of 2019.