Blake Aita Named Cardinal Chronicle MiLB Pitcher of the Week

The Cardinal Chronicle
Blake Aita Named Cardinal Chronicle MiLB Pitcher of the Week
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Blake Aita did not need flash to make his case.

He just needed two baseballs, two starts, and ten scoreless innings.

The Peoria right-hander has been named The Cardinal Chronicle MiLB Pitcher of the Week for games played Tuesday, May 12, through Sunday, May 17, after delivering two scoreless five-inning starts in the same week.

That is how a pitcher takes control of an award race.

Aita opened his week Tuesday with five scoreless innings, allowing four hits, striking out four, and walking none. It was the kind of outing every manager appreciates — efficient, clean, and steady. No drama. No free bases. Just a starting pitcher doing his job.

Then, as if one strong outing was not enough, Aita came back Sunday and did it again.

Against Beloit, he worked five more scoreless innings, allowing three hits, one walk, and striking out two. It was not a strikeout parade, and it did not need to be. Aita controlled the game, limited damage, and gave Peoria another quality start.

For the week, his line was hard to argue with: 10 innings, no runs, seven hits, one walk, and six strikeouts.

That is pitching.

In today’s game, it is easy to get carried away with velocity, spin rates, and pitch-shape charts. Those things matter, but the old scoreboard still tells the truth. Aita took the mound twice and did not allow a run. He made hitters earn their way on base. He stayed in command. He gave his club a chance.

That is how starters build trust.

Aita’s development has become an interesting thread in the Cardinals’ lower-minor pitching picture. He works with a four-pitch mix and has shown the ability to keep hitters uncomfortable, but this week was less about scouting language and more about simple results. Twice he got the baseball. Twice he put up zeroes.

There were other pitchers who deserved consideration. Brandt Thompson continues to show steady value. Cade Crossland has been trending in the right direction. Hunter Dobbins, Liam Doyle, and Randel Clemente all had moments worth noting.

But no pitcher in the system matched Aita’s combination of workload and run prevention this week.

Two starts. Ten scoreless innings. One clear choice.

Blake Aita is The Cardinal Chronicle MiLB Pitcher of the Week.

Honorable Mentions: Brandt Thompson, Cade Crossland, Hunter Dobbins, Liam Doyle, Randel Clemente.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports
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