Minor League Ball Gameday, Thursday, April 6th

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the Minor League Ball Gameday discussion thread for Thursday, April 6th, 2017. Today is Opening Day in the Minor Leagues. There have already been several weather postponements impacting the International, Eastern, South Atlantic, and Midwest Leagues but the other circuits should get their games in.

****Minor League Baseball Schedule

****Major League Baseball Scoreboard

****Beyond the Boxscore’s excellent daily MLB recap

YESTERDAY’S PROSPECT PERFORMANCES OF NOTE

****Oakland Athletics rookie Jharel Cotton gave up eight hits and five runs in 4.1 innings against the Los Angeles Angels, taking the loss in a 5-0 defeat. I retain confidence in him. Fellow rookie Frankie Montas pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in relief.

****Cleveland Indians rookie Shawn Armstrong picked up a relief victory by striking out one hitter in the Tribe’s 9-6 win over the Texas Rangers. Full profile on him later today.

DAILY RECOMMENDED READING

****Audrey Stark at Beyond the Boxscore says that the St. Louis Cardinals six-year contract extension for Stephen Piscotty lays the groundwork for the future success of the franchise.

****In contrast, Dave Cameron at Fangraphs believes that the young superstar contract extension strategy may be lose to extinction.

***Nicolas Stellini at Fangraphs takes a close look at Dylan Bundy’s first start against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. Will Bundy bud into a true ace for the Orioles?