Morning coffee: Bleier earns Eastern League honor, Auburn roster taking shape

Double-A Harrisburg left-handed pitcher Richard Bleier has been named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week.

He had his best start of the season against New Britain. Bleier gave up only two singles in eight shutout innings to notch his third win of the season as the Senators beat the New Britain Rock Cats, 1-0. Bleier also walked only one batter and struck out a season-high seven batters.

Bleier is 4-1 with a 2.64 ERA in nine games this season, seven of those starts. He has allowed only three walks in 44 1/3 innings.

Also, right-hander Paolo Espino transferred from Triple-A Syracuse back to Harrisburg. He made an impressive spot start for Syracuse, going seven shutout innings for his first win. He allowed four hits with no walks and struck out three.

The short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays roster is starting to take shape, according to MiLB.com.

Some of the pitchers James Bourque, John Feliz, Anderson Martinez, Michael Sylvestri, Chase McDowell, Luis Torres and Deion Williams.

Adderling Ruiz is one of the catchers. Infielders include Diomedes Eusebio, Bryan Mejia and Chris Riopedre, plus two left-handed batters Cody Gunter and Jose Marmolejos.

Check out my capsule on Marmolejos from spring training.

Marmolejos hit .283 in 39 games for Hagerstown with 12 doubles, three triples, four homers and 20 RBIs. He had 33 strikeouts and walked only five times. The Nationals like his left-handed bat and ability to hit from the middle of the order, but he just needs to work on his patience and pitch selection, as do many prospects do at this level.

So far there are three outfielders on the roster: Brian Langlios and left-handed hitters Matthew Page and Clay Williamson.

The manager is Gary Cathcart and the coach is Andruth Ramirez. The hitting coach is Amaury Garcia and the pitching coach is former Nationals hurler Tim Redding.

Auburn season begins June 19 at Batavia. The have a minicamp beginning mid-June.

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Tony Gwynn Jr. had an RBI double in Syracuse's 3-1 loss at Norfolk. Emmanuel Burris had two stolen bases in the game. The Chiefs are 17-28.

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High Single-A Potomac has a doubleheader scheduled tonight at home against Wilmington. Left-hander Mathew Spann and right-hander Tyler Mapes toe the rubber for the P-Nats, beginning at 5:05 p.m.