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Cardinals Minor-League Roundup: Daniel Poncedeleon Makes Case for Promotion

By Patrick Karraker

Mar 12, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon (95) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon (95) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tommy Pham had a spectacular performance on Friday, but the most impressive effort across the Cardinals’ system came from a Double-A starting pitcher.

Other than the obvious excitement surrounding the start of the short-season State College Spikes’ 2016 season on Friday, there were a few more notable events around the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor-league system. Tommy Pham had a breakout performance for the Memphis Redbirds that could get him back on pace to recover the form he had in 2015, while Double-A starter Daniel Poncedeleon made another strong case for a midseason promotion to Memphis with a lights-out start for Springfield.

Triple-A Memphis won 7-6 over Iowa

  • Tommy Pham was the star of the night for the Redbirds, moving back to center field and going 2-for-4 with a walk. Pham had a three-run homer in the second inning that put Memphis up 7-1 and clinched the victory. After a very cold start to his stint at Memphis, Pham is now 4 for his last 8 with two homers.
  • A multitude of other Redbirds hitters also had spectacular performances; Jose Martinez (3-for-5 with a double), Carlos Peguero (2-for-4 with a walk), Michael McKenry (2-for-3 with a homer and a walk), and Breyvic Valera (1-for-2 with two walks) all reached base three times.
  • Starter Deck McGuire got the win but had a very mediocre performance, allowing three earned runs on six hits and five walks through six innings. McGuire had allowed just two earned runs in his past three starts prior to Friday.

Double-A Springfield won 2-0 over Northwest Arkansas

  • Starter Daniel Poncedeleon, who’s making a strong case for a promotion to Triple-A, had another spectacular start. In eight and a third shutout innings, Poncedeleon struck out nine while giving up just five hits and walking two. Poncedeleon has now given up just two earned runs over his last 31 innings.
  • First baseman Luke Voit was the only Springfield hitter to reach base multiple times, going 3-for-4 with a double.

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High-A Palm Beach was off for the second straight day as their All-Star break takes place.

Class A Peoria won 4-3 over Burlington

  • The Chiefs won on an 11th inning walk-off single from Thomas Spitz, who had come on as a pinch runner for DH Chris Chinea in the ninth.
  • Center fielder Magneuris Sierra had a solo homer in the fifth inning and went 2-for-5, while Chinea went 2-for-4.
  • Catcher Brian O’Keefe had his sixth multi-hit game of the month, going 2-for-5.
  • 2015 first-rounder Jake Woodford had a solid start, giving up two earned runs on six hits and no walks through six innings. After Jorge Rodriguez lost the Chiefs’ lead in the eighth inning, Steven De La Cruz and Tyler Bray contributed three scoreless innings of relief to help the Chiefs to victory.

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Short Season Class A State College lost 4-1 to Williamsport

  • Right fielder Ricardo Bautista was the only Spikes hitter to reach base twice, collecting a double and a walk while going 1-for-3. DH Bladimil Franco, first baseman Ryan McCarvel, and third baseman Danny Hudzina (who was playing in his first pro game after being drafted last weekend) also doubled on Friday.
  • Righty Dailyn Martinez gave up four runs (two earned) on nine hits and no walks while striking out seven in five and two-thirds innings. Gerwuins Velazco and Greg Tomchick both followed Martinez with scoreless relief absences.
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