MiLB Pitcher of the Day: Yhoiker Fajardo

The Cardinal Chronicle
Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Yhoiker Fajardo
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Yhoiker Fajardo gave Peoria the kind of start that deserved a better finish.

Fajardo is The Cardinal Chronicle’s Minor League Pitcher of the Day after working five strong innings in the Chiefs’ 8-2 loss to the Dayton Dragons on Tuesday night at Dozer Park.

The final score got away from Peoria late, but that should not bury what Fajardo did.

The right-hander matched a season high with five innings, allowing one run on two hits while walking three and striking out six. Dayton got to him for a solo home run in the second inning, but that was the only damage he allowed.

For five innings, Fajardo gave Peoria a chance.

That is the job.

The Chiefs trailed 1-0 when Fajardo left the game, and for much of the night, this had the feel of a tight pitchers’ duel. Peoria was still within striking distance, and Fajardo’s work on the mound was the biggest reason why.

He was not perfect. The three walks added some traffic. But he limited hits, missed bats, and kept the game from opening up while the Chiefs tried to find their offense.

That matters.

At the minor league level, the win-loss result attached to the team does not always tell the story of the pitcher’s night. Fajardo’s line was strong. Five innings. One run. Two hits. Six strikeouts. That is a starting pitcher giving his club a real opportunity.

Peoria eventually got on the board in the seventh inning when Jalin Flores hit his ninth home run of the season, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Jack Gurevitch later added an RBI double in the eighth, but Dayton’s power took over late. The Dragons hit four home runs in the game, including a grand slam in the ninth, and pulled away.

That late damage changed the scoreboard.

It did not change Fajardo’s outing.

Luis Gastelum deserves mention after throwing two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in Memphis’ 12-5 win over Nashville. The Palm Beach pitching staff also deserves mention after holding Jupiter to three hits in a 14-1 win.

But Fajardo had the best starting line of the night.

Five innings.

One run.

Two hits.

Six strikeouts.

That earns the honor.

For Fajardo, this was the kind of outing that belongs in the development file. He gave Peoria length, kept the ballgame close, and showed the swing-and-miss ability that makes a start worth tracking even when the final score does not cooperate.

Old School Take

The box score says Peoria lost 8-2.

The pitching line says Yhoiker Fajardo did his job.

A starter cannot control what happens after he leaves the mound. He can only give his team a chance.

Fajardo did that Tuesday.

Five strong innings.

Six strikeouts.

One run allowed.

That is why Yhoiker Fajardo is The Cardinal Chronicle Minor League Pitcher of the Day.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
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Photo Credit: Yhoiker Fajardo, Peoria Chiefs | MiLB