For those who think it is still early, by mid-week the minor league season will be closing in on the 25 percent mark in the schedule. Thus far, the Great Lakes Loons of the Class-A Midwest League have not had the type of season that they hoped for on the heels of their championship season in 2016.

The Loons presently are lodged in sixth place, a full seven games behind the front running Dayton Dragons. They are five games below .500 at 13-17, although they have posted a 10-8 record at home in Dow Diamond and have won four of their last five games.

A quick look at the league statistics reveal why the Great Lakes squad has struggled to keep up with the league leaders in their first 30 games.

Offensively the team batting average is near the bottom of the pack with a .217 batting average and a similar status in most other offensive categories. The lack of offense brings back shades of the Loons 2016 offensive struggles so all is not lost.

As is usually the case and as is supposed to happen, most of the players on the 2016 Midwest League champion Great Lakes Loons have since been promoted.
(Photo credit – Theophil Syslo)

On the mound the Loons pitching staff occupies the middle of the pack with an aggregate ERA of 4.18 and a WHIP of 1.35. However, the starting pitching has shown definite signs of life in the month of May and the relief pitching is also on the upswing.

As always, regardless of how a team is going, there are individual players who are producing at a high level. For the Loons, the hot bats presently belong to a pair of 19-year-old players.

Outfielder Carlos Rincon is hitting .323 with a .390 OBP. He leads the league with eight home runs and ranks third with a 1.034 OPS as well as second with a .644 slugging percentage. He has driven in 20 runs which are the fifth most in the league.

Carlos Rincon has been absolutely tearing it up for the Loons at the quarter mark of the 2017 season.
(Photo courtesy of Mike Janes – Four Seam Images)

Shortstop Brendon Davis is hitting .289 and has posted a .410 OBP which is the seventh best mark in the league. Fourteen of his 28 base hits have been for extra bases including 10 doubles, one triple and three home runs. Davis has walked an impressive 16 times.

A pair of 19-year-old right-handers have also made a first quarter impression on Dodger management.

Dustin May was selected by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. In his inaugural season at the Class-A level he has posted a 2.96 ERA along with a WHIP of 1.07. In 24.1 innings, he has recorded 20 strikeouts and issued four walks.

A.J. Alexy was an 11th round selection by the Dodgers in the 2016 June draft. In 2017 with the Loons he has posted a 1.47 ERA and a WHIP of 0.65. In 18.1 innings, he has struck out 23 hitters and walked but five.

Left-hander Devin Smeltzer has been a bit of a surprise for the Loons not only with his success on the mound but his demeanor while at work. The 21-year-old fifth-round selection from 2016 is all business, getting the ball and quickly returning it to the catcher. He has posted a 2.96 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP – the result of walking only three hitters in 27.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 39 hitters, including 10 in his last appearance of 4.1 innings.

Now might be an optimum time to start heating up the bats to support the improving pitching as the Loons left for Kane County, Illinois following their Sunday game. The Captains hold down first place in the Western Division of the Midwest League.