By George Farelli
Canadian Baseball Network
We know it is baseball season, but there is still some hockey being played we are told.

Remember when Doug Harvey was early in his string of winning the NHL Norris Trophy as the best defenceman seven times. People suggested that the Norris award be re-named the Doug Harvey trophy.

And the same for Bobby Orr early in his run of eight consecutive Norris trophy wins and how it should be the Bobby Orr trophy.

Well, how about the Canadian Baseball Network’s minor league pitcher of the year honours. It’s an honour we have not named after anyone, unlike the top minor league hitter award which was named after The Honourable Mr. Justice Randall Echlin. 

RHP Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC) has twice won top pitching honour. And with seven scoreless for triple-A Lehigh Valley against Pawtucket, Pivetta is the Canadian Baseball Network Player of the Week, the best of the 50 Canucks playing affiliated ball of in foreign lands.

Pivetta pitched a complete-game shut out needing only 85 pitches (56 strikes) in a 6-0 win at McCoy Stadium in Rhode Island. The righty put up seven zeros facing former major leaguers Rusney Castillo, Matt Dominguez, Allen Craig, Bryce Brentz, Dan Butler, Deven Marrero, Junior Lake, along with Ryan Court and Sam Travis. 

Pivetta allowed a triple to Lake, three singles to Dominguez and one to Brenta. He did not walk a man and struck out five.

The former Victoria HarbourCat has made two starts this season both against Pawtucket allowing two runs -- one earned -- in 13 innings while striking out 13 and now issuing a walk. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Washington Nationals from New Mexico Junior College. 

Besides Pivetta winning twice -- in 2014 and last year sharing the honour with Jameson Taillon (The Woodlands, Tex.) -- and James Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) Brewers winning twice, the other previous winners are Scott Diamond (Guelph, Ont.) Braves; and John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) Brewers; Scott Mathieson (Langley, BC) Phillies; Mark Hardy (Campbell River, BC) Padres; Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) Twins, Adam Loewen (Surrey, BC) Phillies and Shane Dawson (Drayton Valley, Alta.) Blue Jays.
 
Offensive Performances
Player / Class / Team    AB    R    H    HR    RBI    AVG
Matt Hague - AAA Rochester    21    4    9    1    3    .429
Jim Adduci - AAA Toledo    21    9    8    1    1    .381
Jacob Robson - A West Michigan    25    5    9    -    2    .360
Daniel Pinero - A West Michigan    23    1    8    -    2    .348
Cole Bauml - A West Michigan    24    2    8    1    4    .333
Jordan Procyshen - AA Portland    10    1    3    -    1    .300
(Minimum 10 AB’s required)                    
 
Pitching Performances
NICK PIVETTA  RHP - AAA LEHIGH VALLEY IRON PIGS
APP  IP  H  R  ER  BB  K  W-L  SV  WHIP  WK ERA
1   7.0  5   -   -    -   5   1-0   -    0.71    0.00
 
No doubt the Pawtucket Red Sox are hoping they’ve seen the last of Pivetta for awhile. This week on April 15th he made his second start of the season against the Red Sox, and the result was a 6-0 shutout win. Pivetta threw seven scorelesss innings, surrendered five base hits while striking out five Pawtucket batters, to pick up his second win of the year. This start improved his Triple A International League record to 2-0 with a neat 0.69 ERA. 

MIKE SOROKA RHP - AA MISSISSIPPI BRAVES
APP  IP  H  R  ER  BB  K  W-L  SV  WHIP  WK ERA
1   6.2  3  1   1    -   7  1-0    -    0.48    1.45
 
For the second week in a row Soroka made an excellent start for the Braves. On April 15th in a 3-1 win over Tennessee Smokies he pitched 6 2/3 innings, gave up just three base hits and one earned run while striking out seven Smokies batters. This effort earned him his second win of the young season, and improved his Double A Southern League record to 2-0, with a 0.77 Earned Run Average. 

JESEN THERRIEN  RHP - AA READING FIGHTIN’ PHILS
APP  IP  H  R  ER  BB  K  W-L  SV  WHIP  WK ERA
4   4.0  2   2   1    -   7     -   -    0.50    2.25
 
Working out of the bullpen for Reading, Jesen Therrien had a very busy and successful week, making four appearances in relief. It began on April 12th in a 5-3 loss to New Hampshire
Fisher Cats, he pitched one scoreless gave up one hit while striking out two batters, but was not involved in the decision. On April 13th in a 6-3 win over Richmond Flying Squirrels, he threw one scoreless inning gave up zero hits to earn his first Hold of the season. On April 17th in a 6-3 loss to Akron Rubber Ducks, he tossed 1 1/3 innings, gave up one base hit and one earned run, while striking out two Akron hitters and earned another Hold. On April 18th in an 8-6 victory over Akron, he pitched 2/3 inning gave up zero hits, to secure his third Hold of the week. These four outings improved his Double A Eastern League record in six appearances, to 0-1, with three Holds and a 4.50 ERA.
 
 
Player Moves     
LHP Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) - Moved by Atlanta Braves to Triple A Gwinnett Braves from Rookie Class Danville Braves.
 
RHP Jared Mortensen (Abbotsford, BC) - Moved by the Houston Astros to Single A Tri City Valley Cats from Triple A Fresno Grizzlies.
 
INF Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) - Placed on the Disabled List by Toronto Blue
Jays at Single A Dunedin Blue Jays.
 

RHP Karl Gelinas (Iberville, Que.) - Released by Pericos de Puebla in the Mexican League.
 
RHP C.J. Lewington (Calgary, AB) - Free Agent signs with the High Desert Yardbirds IND Pecos League.