Minor League News: Caughel Named California League Pitcher of the Week
Caughel was named the California League Pitcher of the Week after tossing seven shutout innings on Saturday. The right-hander allowed just three hits and a walk, though he did hit two batters, and struck out eight.
Caughel missed a month and a half with a strained oblique earlier this season, but has shown no ill effects since returning to the mound. A Stetson alum, Caughel was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 35th round of the 2011 draft but elected to return to school.
He wound up improving his stock to be taken 12 rounds higher the following year, signing as a 23rd rounder with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his debut, Caughel pitched for both of the Dodgers’ rookie league affiliates, the Dodgers of the Arizona League and the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League, and fared very well.
In a total of 59.2 innings, Caughel posted a 3.32 ERA with 43 strikeouts and just 11 walks. The following season, he made five starts for the Great Lakes Loons and was quickly promoted to Rancho Cucamonga, where he held his own by posting a 4.01 ERA.
In 2014, Caughel has improved his second time through the California League. His ERA has dipped from 4.01 to 3.81 this season, and he’s lowered both his walk and home runs allowed rates.
The right-hander has been especially tough since returning from the disabled list, allowing just one run over his previous 13 innings while striking out a batter an inning. In 52 frames this year, Caughel struck out 45 batters and walked just six, while surrendering a measly four home runs. Coming into the season, Caughel ranked as the 45th best prospect in the Dodgers’ system.
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