Cup of Coffee: Brown shines for Salem in pro debut; Valera fans seven in Greenville

4/3 Cup of Coffee: While Worcester's game in St. Paul was postponed, Greenville and Salem opened their seasons at home on Thursday. Juan Valera struck out seven, and Freili Encarnacion homered, but the Drive ultimately fell to Greensboro in extras. In Salem, Dylan Brown (pictured) got the RidgeYaks era off to a promising start by delivering five scoreless innings and a win in his professional debut. 

A reminder that Portland opens its season on the road against Somerset (NYY) on Friday evening.

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This game was postponed due to inclement weather. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on a date still to be determined.

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Juan Valera got the start in Greenville's season opener and went 3 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits (including one homer), two walks, and seven strikeouts. The 19-year-old righty threw 53 pitches (32 strikes) and generated 13 whiffs. Joey Gartrell, making his High-A debut, took over out of the bullpen and struck out a pair over 2 1/3 scoreless frames of relief. Steven Brooks, also making his High-A debut, struck out three across two innings of one-run ball. Jay Allmer, who took the loss, and PJ Labriola combined to surrender six runs (four earned) in extras.

Offensively, Greenville was held scoreless until there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Freili Encarnacion got his side on the board with a game-tying three-run shot for his first home run of the season and lone hit of the night. Jack Winnay went 2 for 5 with two runs scored, while Isaiah Jackson drove in one run and scored another. Yoeilin Cespedes doubled and drew one walk in his High-A debut.

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Dylan Brown earned the win in his professional debut for Salem. The 2025 eighth-rounder out of Old Dominion got the start and tossed five scoreless innings, scattering just two hits and no walks while striking out six of the 16 batters he faced. He threw 52 pitches (40 strikes) and generated nine whiffs. Fellow 2025 draftee Patrick Galle took over out of the bullpen and allowed one run in two innings of relief. Gilbel Galvan surrendered three additional runs over the contest's final two frames but held on to secure the victory.

At the plate, Skylar King got his first full season in pro ball off to an encouraging start by going 2 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs. D'Angelo Ortiz also went 2 for 4 with a pair of stolen bases. Starlyn Nunez went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and one stolen base out of the leadoff spot. Batting behind him, Enddy Azocar drove in one run and scored another. Luke Heyman (making his professional debut) and Ilan Fernandez (making his full-season debut) combined for five walks and two runs scored. Andrews Opata drew one walk and swiped one bag in his pro debut as well.

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Player of the Day: Dylan Brown gets the nod for his performance on the mound in Salem. The 21-year-old left-hander was clearly dialed in for his first professional start, as he faced just one over the minimum across five efficient innings of work. He is currently ranked as the No. 60 prospect in the organization after receiving a $229,000 signing bonus last July.