Acevedo’s gem gives Thunder 3rd straight win over Reading
TRENTON >> Glance at Domingo Acevedo’s numbers in his first eight starts at High-A and it’s hard to believe you’re watching the same pitcher at Double-A.
The pitcher who was 0-4 with a 4.57 ERA and a .290 batting average against has been sensational since trading muggy Tampa nights for cool Trenton evenings.
In fact, he looks even better than the No. 13 rated prospect in the Yankees’ organization.
Acevedo dazzled in his second start with the Thunder, a 1-0 victory over Reading on Wednesday night, completing 7 1/3 innings of three-hit ball with nine strikeouts.
It was the kind of performance that has the organization’s brass believing the 6-foot-7 right-hander might have a future place in the major league rotation.
Acevedo, 23, has a fastball that consistently sits in the upper-90s with a change-up and developing slider. He hasn’t allowed a run in 13 2/3 innings with the Thunder.
At one point on Wednesday night, he retired 15 straight Reading batters. His biggest asset to date, other than his imposing physique, has been command of the strike zone. Even at High-A where he struggled for win/loss results, Acevedo fanned 52 and walked just nine in 41 1/3 innings.
While that may suggest he was getting too much of the plate at times, Double-A opponents haven’t figured him out. Albeit a small sample size, he’s conceded seven hits during his time on the mound.
The Thunder (28-16) produced the only run they needed in the first inning after Thairo Estrada led off with a single and Jake Cave doubled him home.
Trenton can complete a fourgame sweep of its EL East rival on Thursday morning (10:30 a.m. first pitch) when they send Nestor Cortes (2-0, 3.18) to the mound against Drew Anderson (3-1, 5.26).