Sunday 4/2 Action: Nashville Sees Janson Junk's Crew Debut (2:05 Central)

[Jim Goulart]

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Sunday, lineup updates, etc.

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As an MLB.TV subscriber, looking forward to watching there with Jeff Hem on the call, as the MLB.TV package now incorporates all the MiLB games.

Reminder, the other three affiliates open on Friday April 7th.

[Joseph Zarr]

We can all breathe a sweet sigh of relief: Big Jon Singleton is back in the Sounds lineup. It is a joyous day.

[Ro Mueller]

Nashville enters the day with a 2-0 record and goes for the home series 3-game sweep over Louisville. Starting RHP Janson Junk makes his official organizational debut, after recording a 4.64 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.4 K/9 in 73 2/3 IP for AAA Salt Lake in the high-scoring PCL last year (league average 5.39 ERA, though his team's ERA was 4.70). Sal Frelick's regular season on-base streak which carried over from last year is now 43 games.

[Ro Mueller]

1 hour ago, Joseph Zarr said:

We can all breathe a sweet sigh of relief: Big Jon Singleton is back in the Sounds lineup. It is a joyous day.

I suspect that Manager Rick Sweet received a memo from above that he needs to make sure his top 3 catchers get plenty of at-bats, as each of Jackson, Navaretto and Henry have DH'd in the first three games.

[Joseph Zarr]

11 minutes ago, damuelle said:

I suspect that Manager Rick Sweet received a memo from above that he needs to make sure his top 3 catchers get plenty of at-bats, as each of Jackson, Navaretto and Henry have DH'd in the first three games.

I was thinking the same. I was also thinking there is a memo to give Toro and Alvarez as many looks as possible. The infield, defensively, is going to need the work. This isn't 2022, I can tell you that 🤭 This is also why I was stating last night: let's give Hiura some more looks at 2B to keep his bat active and working. Or, in the very least, give Dorrian some meaningful reps as well. Singleton deserves the lion's share of reps at 1B imho because, well, he's an awesome first baseman. Lotta season left, obviously.  We'll just have to see how the chips fall. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Junk pitches a scoreless top half of the first. A first pitch deep fly out to the left field warning track. A fly out to Frelick in right field. And, a shallow pop up off of Joey Votto's bat to Andruw Monasterio in the fringe outfield grass beyond short off an effective off speed breaker. An effective first inning of work off the mound. More to come.

[Joseph Zarr]

The Sounds answer the fly out pop up bell by nearly replicating the Bats first frame: Frelick shallow pop up to the third base dirt, Naquin fly out to left, and a Toro deep fly out to the warning track in right. It's on to the second frame. Old Brewer, RHP Chase Anderson is on the hill for the Bats - always nice to see him on the mound.

[Joseph Zarr]

In classic umpire fashion, he's not giving Junk the outside stripe against righties but he's certainly giving Anderson the benefit of the doubt against lefties. I never get it. Regardless, fast paced game early. Both pitchers are hitting the zone. We are one out away from the 3rd. Junk ended his second frame with a fantastic breaking curveball for a strike three swing and miss.

[Joseph Zarr]

After a Peyton Henry flare single to shallow right field, Eddie Alvarez works a full count walk after an 0-2 start off Anderson. Men on first and second base, now, with two outs. Monasterio will try to knock them across home plate.

[Joseph Zarr]

Monasterio delivers with an rbi line drive single to center field. Alvarez with some adept base running rounding second to draw the throw to third base as he makes it safely back to second and Peyton Henry scores the run. 1-0 Sounds and Navarreto looks to add to the lead. Still two down.

[Joseph Zarr]

Navarreto rips a sharp line drive single skipping off the deep dirt beyond third base into left field. Alvarez beats the throw home but Navarreto is thrown out at second base as he tried to stretch the misfire home into a free bag. 2-0 Sounds as we head to the 3rd inning. Great work at the dish in the 2nd inning there from our Sounds.

[Joseph Zarr]

After a high chopper infield hit to third base (Toro incapable of bare-handing the bounce) Junk gets the strike him out throw him out play to grab two outs. Navarreto and his stellar arm from home plate at it again early here in 2023 as he nabs his first runner with a beautiful throw right to second base. Alvarez follows by rushing a ground ball to his right, and botching the pick up allowing a Siani to reach first base. On the ensuing AB, Junk sees a well hit grounder up the middle ricocheting off his glove hand. We have runners on first and second base off Alvarez's error and Votto at the dish. Let's hope Junk can reach deep and get the All Star. He has him on an 0-2 count with two foul balls.

[Joseph Zarr]

Votto worked the count full - laying off two very tantalizing and fantastic pitches (a borderline 94 plus heater inside and just high and a beautiful slider down in the zone and into the dirt) - and Junk gets him swinging on a curveball up and outside the upper right corner of the zone. What you love about the Votto AB? Junk didn't give him a single pitch to hit in the zone. Everything bordering or beyond. That is what you want to see with a dangerous bat like Votto's. On to the bottom of the third frame.

[Joseph Zarr]

Junk faces his first test in the 4th frame. With two down he walks his second batter of the game and on a 2-1 pitch gives a rope double to the deep center right grass on a center cut heater. The lead reduced to 2-1 Sounds, Toro makes a fine stab of a well hit liner off a center cut curveball (a mistake pitch, honestly) and throws the runner out at first. On to the bottom half.

[Joseph Zarr]

It would appear Junk's day is finished after 5 complete IP. He ends on a beautiful high breaking ball on a 3-2 pitch to grab his fifth punch out. I wouldn't say he was particularly sharp but he was effective and we got to see all his offerings. A fine first outing all in all.

[Joseph Zarr]

LHP Clayton Andrews gets his first action of the 2023 season and it's a rude greeting. A first pitch inside heater to Joey Votto is roped through the center infield for a single off Alvarez's glove. The ensuing batter rips an opposite field double deep to the wall in left center. It's a 2-2 game. Zero outs. Junk will not get a decision.

[Joseph Zarr]

Andrews calms his nerves and delivers preventing further damage. He induces a chopper down the third base line and then grabs a swinging strikeout and really dials his off-speed stuff to end the frame on a weak dribbler in front of the mound. It's 2-2 now and on to the Sounds bottom of the 6th.

[Joseph Zarr]

Big Jon missed his first HR earlier by a matter of inches up the barrel on an inside pitch. His next AB he rips an absolute dart deep and high off the CF wall to dead center and legs out a double with an incredible slide at second base. He advances to third base on a wild pitch but Skye Bolt pops up lazily to short. Two down now and Peyton Henry will try to bring him home.

[Joseph Zarr]

Henry can't come through and Singleton is stranded. He hits a chopper up the middle and is thrown out easily at first base. RHP Cam Robinson is on now for his first action of 2023. Let's hope he has his best stuff!

[Joseph Zarr]

With runners on first and second base, and one down, Frelick hits a rope but right at the SS sitting deep behind and to the left of second base. Alvarez is double off second base quite easily. On to the 8th frame now and it's still 2-2. Robinson is on for his second frame.

[Joseph Zarr]

LHP Ehtan Small, in his first action in 2023, comes on to strike out Joey Votto on a high heater. One down for Small and the lead off runner (single off of Robinson to CF) still on first base.

[Joseph Zarr]

Small is throwing darts with his heater today through two batters. Two consecutive batters. Only heat. Sitting 92 but touching 95. Two straight K's to start his 2023. You love to see it!

[Joseph Zarr]

Do NOT run on Navarreto, folks. I've been saying it for awhile. With a lead runner on first base and two down, Navarreto throws out the Reds runner by 3 feet. He has such an accurate throw to second base. Wonderful stuff.

[Joseph Zarr]

With Ethan Small completing his fine work, RHP JC Mejía will see his first action of 2023. Let's hope he can keep it a 2-2 ball game giving the Sounds a chance to walk it off yet again.

[Joseph Zarr]

The Bats now have three high chopper infield hits today. Quite something. Just balls smashed into the ground and catapulting a good 20 feet in the air. Unreal. The Bats lead off their 9th frame with a man on first base.