The two Ryans, Fraser and Casteel, helped their respective teams to a combined 11-4 record during the past seven days while Cole Brand had his first stumble in 10 appearances.
After earning a pair of saves the previous week, Fraser did the same this week as the Brooklyn Cyclones improved to a New York-Penn League best 24-11 on the Class A Short Season.
The former Walker Valley and University of Memphis standout converted both of his save opportunities as the Cyclones went 6-1 this past week. Now with five saves on the year, Fraser hurled 1 2/3 innings, striking out a pair and not allowing a base runner in his two chances.
Fraser lowered his earned run average to 0.63 and his WHIP (walks/hits ratio per innings pitched) to 0.84. He has struck out 23 and given up just seven free passes in 14 2/3 innings pitched.
The 6-foot-4 right-hander has now been in 11 games, allowing just a half-dozen hits and one earned run. Opposing batters are hitting .125 against the New York Met farmhand.
Casteel continued his rebound from a mini-slump a couple of weeks ago, going 7-for-16 this past week with a pair of runs batted in.
Playing for the Casper (Wyo.) Ghosts, Casteel was in the lineup four times last week. So far this Rookie League season, the Colorado Rockies’ catching prospect is hitting .318 (21-for-66) with a .348 on-base percentage.
The former Bradley Central and Cleveland State standout has scored four times, walked three and even stolen his first professional base.
The Ghosts improved to 16-16 and moved into third place in the South Division of the Pioneer League race.
After getting off to a tremendous start to his career, Brand hit a rough patch this week, getting just one out and suffering his first professional loss.
As his St. Louis Cardinal Rookie League team faced the Houston Astros Gulf Coast League squad, Brand took the hill with a runner on base and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday.
The Cardinals led 5-0 going into the inning, but had already given up three runs in the frame before Brand got the call.
Having not allowed an earned run in his first 10 innings of pro ball, the former Bear gave up a pair of doubles, two singles and three runs before getting the final out.
The blown save ballooned Brand’s ERA to 2.61 and his WHIP to 1.06 as his pitching record evened at 1-1. He has a pair of “holds” to his credit and eight strikeouts in 10 appearances.
The Cardinals are now 13-13 on the year and in second place in the GCL East Division.
