LAKEWOOD, N.J. — The Lakewood BlueClaws have flaunted the youngest pitching staff in the South Atlantic League, the place that serves as a player’s first exposure to the rigors of a full professional season. They have graduated two lefties, Ranger Suarez and JoJo Romero, to high-A Clearwater. Sixto Sanchez is the organization’s top pitching prospect.
And Adonis Medina has struck out 27.1 percent of the batters he’s faced, just a tick below Suarez’s and Romero’s rates. That is notable because Medina, who is 20, struck out a mere 12.8 percent last season in rookie ball.
“I’m concentrating more on the strike zone,” Medina said through an interpreter.