Our second live look of the season as Erie hosts Binghamton. 

For the first time during our April travels to Erie, it was warm. The SeaWolves were preparing for their home opener following the solar eclipse. Heading into Tuesday’s game, the team’s biggest strength, akin to the eclipse, was their pitching. They boasted a streak of 24 innings, during which they surrendered just one run.

That continued with their second shutout in the last four games with the Double-A debut of RHP Wilkel Hernandez. Our radar gun was having some issues, but what we were able to gather was his fastball was 92-93 and his command of slider on righties was able to generate a few swings and misses.

After settling down, Andrew Magno, along with Tim Naughton and Joel Peguero, combined for five innings of scoreless relief. Peguero worked a quick inning, throwing seven pitches, with the radar clocking him at around 97-98 mph, based on the limited data available. His fastball showed good movement, but he primarily relied on fastballs, with few secondary pitches observed.

In terms of run scoring, Eliezer Alfonzo accounted for two of Erie’s four hits. Along with newcomer Stephen Scott, he forms one of the more formidable catching tandems I’ve seen so far. Alfonzo hit a looper to center before crushing his first Double-A home run in the eighth inning, giving Erie an extra run cushion.

Eliezer Alfonzo with his first Double-A home run. A no doubter to right. pic.twitter.com/hGypH189EP

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 10, 2024

Day 2: The Double-A debut of Troy Melton

Heading into the afternoon start on Wednesday, SeaWolves pitching allowed just one run over 35 innings of work. Melton, who said after the game, he said it was a combination of not pitching since early September and missing glove side on lefties and away on righties, battled through the first two innings with runners in scoring position. In the first, he was able to get a pair of strikeouts to end the inning.

Troy Melton gets his first two Double-A strikeouts as he strikes out the final two batters he faced in the first. pic.twitter.com/k9boIwPCuA

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 10, 2024

Then, his defense started up a double play to get the first two outs in the second.

Troy Melton breaks a bat to start a double play. pic.twitter.com/e1aF54fNnJ

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 10, 2024

Overall, I thought Melton got away with a few pitches that could have done some damage, but as Chris Brown pointed out to me, the start was similar to his first one at West Michigan. I think he will continue to adjust at this level well, able to generate swings and misses against a veteran Rumble Ponies team.

Hao-Yu Lee adjusting to Double-A well

Lee, who is off to a good start in his Double-A debut, (.350/.350/.550) has not drawn a walk yet in 20 at-bats, but there were a few at-bats where he was fouling off everything to stay alive. After the game on Wednesday, through his translator,” I am always hunting for fastballs” and when he does, he has been able to generate loud contact so far.

The adjustment he is making from High-A to Double-A involves working on early recognition of fastballs and breaking balls, a process that began when he was playing in the Arizona Fall League. Another thing he worked on this off-season was getting more lean and aggressive on stealing bases, which always has been a part of his game but making sure he is better setup with his posture for success.

Hao-Yu Lee with the unconventional double as Alex Ramirez loses it in centerfield. pic.twitter.com/ZuaXjbfFHW

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 10, 2024

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