Inspiring performance earns Shuckers’ Woodruff Southern League honors, again

Brandon Woodruff pitched through his emotions Sunday.

Just over a week after his older brother, Blake, died in an ATV accident, Woodruff returned to the Biloxi Shuckers and pitched a gem. In Sunday’s 1-0 win at Pensacola, not only did the former Wheeler High and Mississippi State standout strike out nine batters, but he also accounted for the game’s only run by swatting his first professional homer in the third inning.

For his effort, Woodruff picked up his second consecutive Southern League Pitcher of the Week honor.

In Woodruff’s six shutout innings he did not issue a walk and flirted with a perfect game as the Blue Wahoos didn’t record a hit until the fifth inning.

“That’s an amazing thing for me that he was pitching with a heavy heart. It was a really incredible feat,” Pensacola manager Pat Kelly told MiLB.com. “... “He has got great stuff - a 97-mile-per-hour fastball, a really good slider and a changeup.

“I want to know what he’s doing in this league.”

Blue Wahoos pitcher Rookie Davis, who started earlier in the series, took to Twitter to commend Woodruff for his outing.

“Brandon Woodruff... Most gutsy thing I’ve ever seen on a baseball field tonight. So much respect your way man...”

Woodruff has been hot recently, pushing his scoreless streak to 17 1/3 innings. In four July starts, Woodruff is 3-1 with a 0.36 ERA, boasting 32 strikeouts and three walks in 23 2/3 innings.

“Woodruff is a bulldog out there” Shuckers manager Mike Guerrero told MiLB.com. “What we saw today is how he pitches, with that fire, and he wants to beat you. He has (the stuff) and he’s going after you.”

Between High-A Brevard County and Biloxi, Woodruff is 9-7 with a 2.89 ERA. His 117 strikeouts rank seventh in all of Minor League Baseball.

Roster moves: The Shuckers’ roster appears to be headed for a bit of a shakeup. First baseman and Southern League all-star Garrett Cooper tweeted Monday that he’s getting promoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Cooper has been a bright spot for a Shuckers offense that has struggled of late, hitting .299 with four homers, 49 RBIs and an on-base plus slugging percentage of .768.

Former Biloxi standout Jorge Lopez appears headed back to the Coast. The right-hander’s MiLB.com profile was updated Monday to reflect an assignment to Biloxi. Lopez was a standout for the Shuckers a year ago, boasting a 12-5 record with a 2.26 ERA before making his MLB debut. This season has not been as kind to Lopez, who was 1-7 with a 6.81 ERA in 16 starts. The 23-year-old has struck out 66 against 55 walks in 79 1/3 innings, with opponents hitting .312 off of him.

The club has not officially announced the moves. Other transactions are also anticipated.

The Shuckers return to action Tuesday for a two-game set at Mobile before hosting the BayBears Thursday-Saturday. All three home games are set for 7:10 p.m. starts.

This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Inspiring performance earns Shuckers’ Woodruff Southern League honors, again."