GLENDALE — The following are updates on area athletes in minor league baseball.
Trevor Bell (Crescenta Valley, 2005) Cedar Rapids Kernels, starting pitcher: Bell has been sharp of late and is unbeaten in is last nine starts, four of which were victories for the right-hander.
In his last outing, a 7-2 win over the Wisconsin T-Rattlers, Bell (4-2) went four innings, allowing two earned-runs on four hits while striking out 10 batters. The 10 strikeouts tied a team-high on the season.
During his last 10 outings, Bell holds a 3.31 earned-run average with 45 strikeouts and 12 walks in 51 1/3 innings pitched.
On the season, Bell has made 11 starts and sports a 3.81 ERA in 56 2/3 innings for Cedar Rapids (9-10 in the second-half standings), a class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Jason Botts (Glendale Community College, 2000) Oklahoma Red Hawks, outfielder: Botts has clearly found his comfort zone in recent weeks.
His previous 10 games saw the former Vaquero go on a hot streak, posting a .395 average along with 15 hits, six home runs and 13 runs batted in.
In six of those contests, Botts, who is currently batting .320 on the year, recorded at least two hits.
Botts has served as the Redhawks' most productive hitter with his 106 hits, 13 home runs, 71 RBIs, 62 runs, 33 doubles, four triples, 186 total bases and 64 walks all serving as team-highs.
The Redhawks (44-46), the Texas Rangers' triple-A franchise, have hit a bit of a lull of late, losing five in a row, but remain only 2 1/2 games out of first place in the Pacific Coast League South division.
Brandon Higelin (Crescenta Valley, 2001) Lake Elsinore Storm, relief pitcher: Pitching out of the bullpen, the former Falcon has had mixed results.
Despite surrendering nine runs in his last 10 appearances, the lefty has also had five scoreless appearances, giving him a 6.94 ERA during that span.
In his latest outing on July 8, Higelin surrendered three hits and three earned runs in 1/3 of an inning. Higelin holds a 5.23 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 43 hits allowed in 26 appearances and 32 2/3 innings pitched for the season.
Lake Elsinore (11-10 in the second half) is four games out of first in the California League South Division.
Al Quintana (Glendale Community College, 2002) Dunedin Blue Jays, third baseman: In semi-regular playing time, Quintana has produced ordinary results.
He currently boasts a .245 batting average along with 27 hits, 14 runs and 10 RBIs in 110 at bats. His biggest struggles at the dish have come against right-handers, against whom he is batting just .188. That is in contrast to his .341 average against right-handers.
On June 3, the third baseman hit his first home run of the season, as he finished with two hits and three runs in the game.
Dunedin (14-8 in the second half) is currently tied with Tampa for first place in the Florida State League.
Matt Hirsh (St. Francis, 2000) York Revolution, starting pitcher: Hirsh has seen some tough times this year on the mound.
The former Golden Knight has a 1-8 record and 8.05 ERA in 14 appearances.
In 38 innings, Hirsh has surrendered 46 hits and 34 earned runs, while opponents are batting .311 against him.
York (26-37) is currently in last place in the Independent League South division.
