First it was 18 year old Gennarino "Hot Stuff' Lucchetti throwing 9 hitless innings on May 7 against the Barry's Bay Orioles (A, BAF) for a 1-0 win with only an error ruining what could have been a perfect game. Now it's 17 year old Bartolo Gonzalez on May 22 against the Wisconsin Rapids Rangers (A, MAD) with yet another no hitter that could have been a perfect game if not for errors.
Lucchetti, who has since earned a promotion to AA, dominated throughout the game allowing just 1 base runner on an error by 3B Yasuhiro Kobayashi. He faced one above the minimum amount of batters striking out 9 hitters and walking none on 116 pitches. The offense in this game was mostly generated in the 3rd inning after David Watson got a single and later stole 2nd base and then moved to third base on a throwing error on a run and hit that ended in a strikeout. Next up came 2B Julio Caraballo hit a line drive single to bring in Watson.
On the season, Lucchetti has earned himself a promotion to AA. Last year in his first professional year as a 17 year old in A ball, he finished 9-14 with a 2.09 ERA in 32 starts covering 210.2 innings. He struck out nearly a batter per inning with 200 Ks. He followed that up with a return to A ball as an 18 year old and after going 2-4 including a no hitter and a 1.80 ERA in 7 starts, the Looters organization wanted to challenge Lucchetti with a promotion to AA. So far he's having a bit of growing pains with 2 starts giving up 5 runs in both outtings in 4.2 innings. Looters management still feels good about him and will give him some time to work out his kinks and challenge him.
Gonzalez dominated in his no hitter as well, and has been for some time now after his no hitter has now come in the middle of 19.2 scoreless innings. Gonzalez improved to 5-1 in his no hitter throwing a conservative 93 pitches en route to striking out 11 batters and allowing no hits. His only error was caused by SS Julio Caraballo. The Plumstead Eagles (A, NEW) won this game 6-0 as their offense generated 9 hits and 3 walks in the game. The offensive star was 19 year old DH Manny Quinones who has also had a marvelous season so far hitting .301/.351/.452 for a 176 OPS+ in pitching friendly Plumstead. Quinones hit his 6th homer in this game and won the MSL Player of the Week award after earlier in the month winning the MSL Batter of the Month award for April.
Gonzalez had a bit different career than Lucchetti so far. In 2013, he exclusively worked out of the bullpen with 45 appearances and a 2-6 record in 45.1 innings. He compiled a less impressive 4.37 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in that season. However, after a conversion to a starter in 2014 sparked out of his 3 pitch combo, he has made 9 starts with a 6-1 record and 1.09 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. He's also struck out 52 in 66 innings. He's clearly handled his conversion to starter well, and with his three pitch combo the Looters organization hopes he continues playing well. Given his young age, the Looters will likely leave him in A ball all season, but may get a spot start or two at AA if injuries necessitate it.
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