{"id":662825,"date":"2026-04-04T14:19:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T14:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/662825\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T14:19:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T14:19:30","slug":"dodgers-minors-sterling-patick-jesus-tillero-emil-morales-shine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/662825\/","title":{"rendered":"Dodgers minors: Sterling Patick, Jesus Tillero, Emil Morales shine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">After a low-scoring first game in High-A, the other three Dodgers affiliates all engaged in high-scoring affairs on the first day of all four affiliates playing in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">For a second straight night, a Dodgers affiliate got a strong opening day start from a player drafted on the third day in 2023. One day <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/los-angeles-dodgers-prospects\/112448\/josue-depaula-luke-fox-brendan-tunink\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">after 17th-rounder Luke Fox shined<\/a> for Double-A Tulsa, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/dodgers-mlb-draft\/2023\/7\/11\/23790001\/dodgers-mlb-draft-2023-day-3-college-pitchers-dj-uiagalelei\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">18th-rounder Sterling Patick<\/a> struck out seven in five scoreless frames for High-A Great Lakes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Patick allowed lone singles in the first and fourth innings and walked nobody. Fort Wayne did not put a runner in scoring position off the left-hander until a two-out double in the fifth inning, but Patick got out of his only real jam with a lineout to right field to end his night. He turns 21 in June.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Jesus Tillero didn\u2019t start, but he struck out eight in five scoreless innings, allowing only two singles in Class-A Ontario\u2019s blowout win. An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/2023\/1\/16\/23556315\/dodgers-international-signing-period-2023-tracker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">international signing out of Venezuela in 2023<\/a>, the right-hander did well in his first taste of Class-A last year, posting a 3.09 ERA with Rancho Cucamonga, but with a 12.9-percent walk rate. On Friday night he walked nobody and retired 15 of his 17 batters faced. Tillero doesn\u2019t turn 20 until May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Comets scored seven runs in the first two innings, and it held up to beat the Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics).<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Zach Ehrhard had a two-run triple. Ryan Ward had a two-run single in a three-RBI night, and scored two runs. Hyeseong Kim and Ryan Fitzgerald batted first and second, and each one reached base twice and scored two runs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Ryder was the first of the Ryan brothers to start for the Comets this weekend, and struck out five in his five innings, allowing one run in the first inning and nothing else.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Drillers pitchers walked a whopping 15 batters and fell behind early in a loss to the San Antonio Missions (Padres).<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Adam Serwinowski was wild in his season debut with six walks, including two of them to open the second inning before a double and home run. In all, the left-hander allowed five runs in his 3 2\/3 innings, with three strikeouts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Maddux Bruns made the first relief appearance of his professional career. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/mlb-draft\/2021\/7\/11\/22572907\/dodgers-mlb-draft-first-maddux-bruns\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dodgers\u2019 first-round pick from 2021<\/a> started his first 77 minor league games before Friday, when he struck out four in his first two innings scoreless but, keeping with the theme of the night for Drillers pitchers, also walked three, then allowed three hits and three runs in his third inning of work, recording just one out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Nick Nastrini reached the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 2024 but it\u2019s in question whether he ever makes it back. The 26-year-old right-hander followed Bruns in the seventh inning on Friday and walked all three batters he faced, throwing just one strike. The former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/mlb-draft\/2021\/7\/12\/22574360\/los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-draft-nick-nastrini\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">fourth-round pick of the Dodgers in 2021<\/a> who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/2023\/7\/28\/23811588\/dodgers-trade-trayce-thompson-nick-nastrini-jordan-leasure-white-sox-lance-lynn-joe-kelly\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">was sent to Chicago in the Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly trade in 2023<\/a>, Nastrini last season in Triple-A walked more than he struck out, including 18 walks and 10 strikeouts in his final nine innings in Charlotte and then Jacksonville before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/2025\/7\/12\/24466217\/dodgers-roster-nick-nastrini-waivers-noah-davis-dfa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">re-joining the Dodgers last July on waivers<\/a>. Nastrini last year with Oklahoma City walked seven of his 10 batters faced and threw three wild pitches.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Kendall George had three infield singles and stole second base after all three hits. Josue De Paula walked three times, singled home a run, and for the second straight night stole a base. Zyhir Hope doubled.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">First baseman Joe Vetrano had two hits for Tulsa, including the Drillers\u2019 first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the eighth inning. Once trailing 11-2, Tulsa scored three runs in the seventh, three more in the eighth, and had the tying runs on base in the ninth to make the final score closer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Loons exchanged runs with the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, with Great Lakes riding the odd innings to a 2-1 victory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">First baseman Cameron Decker hit a solo home run for the Loons\u2019 first run of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Third baseman Logan Wagner led off the seventh with a double, then after an infield single and hit by pitch, catcher Victor Rodrigues walked for the game-winning RBI.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Jacob Frost had a wild ride in his professional debut, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/dodgers-mlb-draft\/2025\/7\/14\/24467743\/dodgers-mlb-draft-jacob-frost-10th-round\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the 2025 10th-round draft pick<\/a> walking three and allowing a run in his two innings, with his two strikeouts. By the timing of the runs scored, Frost earned the win. Logan Tabeling retired six of his seven batters faced with two strikeouts, closing out the game with a two-inning save.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Tower Buzzers put up crooked numbers in five different innings in a rout of the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres).<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Shortstop Emil Morales had four singles, with three runs scored and three RBI, and also stole a base. Leadoff man Jaron Elkins walked twice, singled, stole two bases, and scored four runs. Joendry Vargas was the designated hitter on Friday and hit an RBI double to go with two walks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Ontario batters provided a lesson in patience early in facing Kruz Schoolcraft, the San Diego Padres\u2019 first-round draft pick last year making his professional debut. The left-hander retired only three of his 11 batters faced, and was pulled after walking three batters and allowing a single to open the second inning. In all, four Tower Buzzers walked against Schoolcraft and plated six runs against him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Cam Leiter, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/dodgers-mlb-draft\/2025\/7\/13\/24466917\/dodgers-mlb-draft-cam-leiter-2nd-round\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">drafted by the Dodgers in the second round last year<\/a> out of Florida State, had a strong professional debut by retiring nine of 10 batters faced with three strikeouts in three scoreless innings. It was <a href=\"https:\/\/seminoles.com\/sports\/baseball\/stats\/2024\/louisville\/boxscore\/13751\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the first game for Leiter in two years and a week<\/a>, as shoulder surgery wiped out his 2025 season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Matt Lanzendorfer, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/dodgers-mlb-draft\/2025\/7\/14\/24467831\/dodgers-mlb-draft-college-pitchers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a 15th-round draft pick last year out of Virginia<\/a>, retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to close out the win in his professional debut.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Triple-A: Jake Eder, acquired <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truebluela.com\/dodgers-roster\/112570\/jake-eder-trade-nationals-jake-cousins\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">from the Washington Nationals by trade on Wednesday<\/a>, was activated by the Comets on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">High-A: On Thursday, Great Lakes placed shortstop Jordan Thompson on the 7-day injured list.<\/p>\n<p>10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Zach Root) vs. Fort Wayne (Kleiber Olmedo)5 p.m.: Tulsa (Patrick Copen) vs. San Antonio (Ian Koenig)6:35 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Lake Elsinore (TBA)7:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (River Ryan) at Las Vegas (Mason Barnett)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After a low-scoring first game in High-A, the other three Dodgers affiliates all engaged in high-scoring affairs on&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":662826,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2406],"tags":[5,39,38621,41194,1165,4332,4333,774,57,3224,4331,4],"class_list":{"0":"post-662825","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles-dodgers","8":"tag-baseball","9":"tag-dodgers","10":"tag-dodgers-minor-league-news","11":"tag-dodgers-prospects","12":"tag-la","13":"tag-la-dodgers","14":"tag-ladodgers","15":"tag-los-angeles","16":"tag-los-angeles-dodgers","17":"tag-losangeles","18":"tag-losangelesdodgers","19":"tag-mlb"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116346877598596114","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/662825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=662825"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/662825\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/662826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=662825"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=662825"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=662825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}