Some context on Aguillar and Rayl from the team's beat writer
By David S. Glasier
DGlasier@News-Herald.com
Winning matters in the minor leagues, but development matters more.
That was the point worth remembering Thursday as stout efforts by starting pitcher Mike Rayl and slugging first baseman Jesus Aguilar took much of the sting out of the Captains' 4-2 loss to South Bend.
Rayl had another extremely impressive outing Thursday. The 22-year-old right-hander [sic: he's a lefty] was perfect through six innings, striking out seven, before giving up a leadoff single to South Bend's Mike Freeman in the top of the seventh inning.
He retired the next two batters before running into the only opponent he didn't overmatch, a pitch limit established by the parent club Indians.
With his ace lefty [correct this time] having made 91 pitches, six past the "limit'' of 85, Captains manager Ted Kubiak summoned reliever Joey Mihalic.
In his previous start Saturday at Fort Wayne, Rayl gave up one hit in six innings with eight strikeouts.
Thanks to a double play, he faced the minimum of 18 batters.
He followed up Saturday's tour de force by retiring the first 18 batters he faced Thursday. Just as impressive was the fact he got through the two outings without issuing a walk.
"He was outstanding. It's just too bad we didn't get the win for him,'' Kubiak said.
With the no-decision, Rayl's record stayed at 5-2. His ERA sank from 1.71 to a Midwest League-low 1.51. He's emerged as Lake County's No. 1 starter and as one of the brighter pitching prospects in the Indians' farm system.
In 13 starts covering 64 innings, Rayl has given up 13 runs, 11 of them earned, on 39 hits. He has 70 strikeouts and has allowed 10 walks. Opponents are batting .175 against the Indians' 15th-round pick in the June 2009 draft.
"Hopefully, the other pitchers are paying attention to him out there,'' Kubiak said of the 6-foot-5, 180-pound southpaw. "He's got great mechanics and the aggressive demeanor you need to have.''
Rayl has a fastball that sits between 89 to 91 miles-per-hour. He also employs a curveball, sinker and change-up."I felt like my stuff has been better this season than it was (Thursday), but I commanded the ball pretty well,'' Rayl said.
When apprised of Kubiak's remark about his aggressive presence on the mound, Rayl smiled.
"I'm going up there to get them out. That's why I hate walking people,'' Rayl said.
Rayl's breakout performances this season beg comparisons to Indians starter and former Captain Josh Tomlin. They use a similar pitch mix and aggressively pound the strike zone."He's in the big leagues, so you want to be compared to a guy like that,'' Rayl said.
Aguilar, who turned 21 on Thursday, is blossoming as one of the best power hitters in the Indians' farm system.
The 6-foot-3, 257-pound [I had read 241, and that sounded big. At 257 he's huge!] Venezuelan slammed his 15th home run Thursday, a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth inning that staked the Captains to a 2-0 lead. He also singled in the bottom of the eighth and is batting .284. Aguilar leads the Captains with 51 RBI.
"I feel very good at the plate right now,'' Aguilar said.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2007, Aguilar has the build and bearing of a born slugger. He also shows great promise with the glove.
"His defense is awesome, and his power is only going to get better,'' said Captains hitting coach Jim Rickon. "He's maturing as a hitter.''
Thursday's game slipped away from the Captains when the SilverHawks got to Mihalic (0-1, 7.27 ERA) for four runs in the top of the eighth inning.
The Captains slipped to 4-3 in the second half with the loss. South Bend improved to 4-3 with the comeback victory.