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WVC in the Minors: Matt Wotherspoon striking out the opponent

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RailRiders Weekend Feature: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre cupping its way to success

<p>MOOSIC &#8212; When the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders called up Gleyber Torres a week ago, there was a lot of hype that came along with the move.</p><p>And through three games in Triple-A, Torres has lived up to the expectations. He owns a .333 batting average paired with three walks, an RBI and a stolen base.</p><p>The New York Yankees top prospect has started each game at third base and has hit third for the RailRiders. With Tyler Wade&#8217;s ability to move around the baseball field, it wouldn&#8217;t be a surprise if Torres saw some time at shortstop before the RailRiders return home.</p><p>While many Yankees fans are calling for Torres to replace a slumping Chase Headley, who was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the ninth as the tying run Friday night, Yankees general manager Brain Cashman slowed down the train Thursday at a HOPE Week event at Yankee Stadium.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not looking at Gleyber Torres right now on the major-league side,&#8221; Cashman said Thursday, via the New York Daily News. &#8220;I&#8217;m just looking at Gleyber taking the next step at Triple-A Scranton. Just like when we were faced with, &#8216;Are you going to bring Gleyber up because Didi (Gregorius) is down?&#8217; the answer was, &#8216;No, we aren&#8217;t going to interrupt his player-development process.&#8217;&#8221;</p><p><strong>Adams holding down fort</strong></p><p>Even though Chance Adams is just 22 years old and the RailRiders starting rotation already includes the likes of Luis Cessa, who has seen time with the Yankees, the righty has taken a strong hold of the top spot in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre rotation.</p><p>Making three starts, Adams sports a 2-1 record with a 3.0 ERA. In 17 innings pitched, Adams has allowed just four runs on 10 hits and five walks.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s fun. I like it here a lot,&#8221; Adams said of his first impressions of Triple-A ball. &#8220;It&#8217;s definitely an increase in talent here and stuff like that.&#8221;</p><p>As one of the younger pitchers on the RailRiders staff, Adams is making sure to soak in and observe the veterans of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre staff as much as possible.</p><p>&#8220;I just kind of do my own thing,&#8221; Adams said. &#8220;I watch and see, kind of learn like that.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Frazier going yard</strong></p><p>Clint Frazier has found his stroke as of late.</p><p>Homering in each of the last three games, not only has the Yankees No. 2 prospect taken over the team lead with his nine home runs, but his 16 doubles and 29 RBI are also team highs.</p><p>Frazier also leads the International League in doubles.</p><p><strong>Fowler tripling in Triple-A</strong></p><p>RailRiders outfielder Dustin Fowler has quietly made a name for himself this season.</p><p>With top prospects Torres, Frazier and Adams all on the roster, Fowler might be the most impressive of the quartet so far. Heading into Friday night&#8217;s game in Toledo, Fowler ranked among the International League&#8217;s best in hits (T-4th, 51), slugging percentage (2nd, .563), extra-base hits (2nd, 24), triples (1st, 7) and total bases (2nd, 98).</p><p>The 22-year-old is on pace to easily surpass Shane Victorino&#8217;s single-season franchise record of 16 triples, which the former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons outfielder during the 2005 season. Fowler&#8217;s on pace for 23.</p><p>&#8220;I come out of the (batter&#8217;s) box, obviously, wanting a triple the whole time, but I think it&#8217;s just &#8212; especially nights here &#8212; it&#8217;s a big ballpark,&#8221; Fowler said. &#8220;I see the ball well here. Big gaps and if you come out of the box hard. It&#8217;s pretty easy if you really try out of the box. I think I&#8217;m just fortunate I hit them here when I have the chance to do it.&#8221;</p><p>Fowler&#8217;s swing is made for PNC Field, which is known as a pitcher&#8217;s ballpark. Six of his seven triples have come at home.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Torres </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_GleyberTorres-mug-CMYK2017527113457313.jpg</photo0><caption0>Torres </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By DJ Eberle</p><p>djeberle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @ByDJEberle</p></shirttailMeta></div>

RailRiders Weekend Notebook: Gleyber Torres making an immediate impact