American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report name Lake Country DockHounds right-hander Angel Ventura Pitcher of the Week for Week 10.

Lake Country DockHounds Right-Hander Angel Ventura Named Pitcher of the Week

On Monday, This Week in the Association and the Minor League Sports Report named Lake Country DockHounds right-hander Angel Ventura as the American Association Pitcher of the Week for Week 10. Ventura made one start during the week, but it was a brilliant one, tossing a four-hit shutout.

It was a spectacular performance by Ventura, who came off the disabled list to make the start on July 20. The right-hander had struggled this season, beginning the year with the Sioux Falls Canaries before being traded to Lake Country where he was 0-2 with an 11.70 ERA through his first three starts.

Ventura was put on the disabled list, but returned to toss an absolute gem, leading the DockHounds to a 5-0 victory over the Kane County Cougars. The right-hander was in complete command of this contest from the start, retiring the first seven batters of the game. He gave up singles in the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh innings.

Ventura gave up a two-out single to Nick Anderson in the seventh, who was then thrown out trying to steal. The right-hander then retired the next six batters to finish off the contest for his first shutout in 59 appearances in the American Association.

Angel Ventura did not walk a batter in the contest, allowing four hits while striking out seven. Of his 106 pitches, 74 went for strikes.

Ventura began his career with the Milwaukee Brewers organization, pitching eight seasons and reaching AAA-Colorado Springs. In 2019, he joined the Milwaukee Milkmen, going 6-10 with a 2.76 ERA in 20 starts. The next season he stayed in Milwaukee, but was dealt to the Sioux Falls Canaries in 2021. After starting the season 1-4 this year, he was traded to Lake Country. The right-hander has a 36-33 record in eight minor league seasons and is 21-26 in the American Association.

Ventura is the second Lake Country pitcher to be named American Association Pitcher of the Week. Ty Culbreth earned the honor in Week 6.

2022 American Association Pitchers of the Week

Week 1 – Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Alex DuBord
Week 2 – Buddy Baumann, Lincoln Saltdogs
Week 3 – Myles Smith, Milwaukee Milkmen
Week 4 – Ryan Tapani, Kane County Cougars
Week 5 – Patrick Ledet, Sioux City Explorers
Week 6 – Ty Culbreth, Sioux Falls Canaries
Week 7 – Duncan Snider, Lake Country DockHounds
Week 8 – Vance Worley, Kane County Cougars
Week 9 – Matt Hall, Kansas City Monarchs

By Robert Pannier