Dash send another to Double-A

The White Sox announced two roster moves Friday morning that affect the Dash, which has been a trend lately. Winston-Salem has made plenty of moves, like this set or this one or all of these. Winston-Salem sends Jon Bachanov to Double-A Birmingham and receives Bryan Blough. Both men are relievers, although Bachanov recently returned to the bullpen after a stretch in the starting rotation.

Jon Bachanov compiled a 6-2 record in 18 appearances for the Dash (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).

Jon Bachanov advances to the Double-A level for the first time in his career. Bachanov has persevered through an elbow injury that caused him to miss all of the 2008 season. He was drafted by the Angels in the supplemental round of the 2007 draft but did not make his first professional appearance until 2009. The White Sox signed him before last season, and Bachanov split his time between the starting rotation and bullpen for Kannapolis.

This year, Bachanov was one of the Dash’s most reliable pitchers. He began in the bullpen and made eight appearances in relief. The right-hander’s first start occurred May 10 when he pitched three innings in game two of a doubleheader against Frederick.

Bachanov’s magnum opus occurred five days later. Making the start in another back-half of a twin ball, Bachanov fired six scoreless innings, striking out a season-high nine batters. After nine starts he was placed back in the bullpen and made one final relief appearance, picking up the win after striking out three batters in two innings of work.

Bryan Blough arrives in Winston-Salem after making one appearance with the Dash last year. On August 31, Blough pitched an inning and a third against Salem, allowing five hits and two runs. Extended time in Winston-Salem should allow Blough to ease more comfortably into High-A baseball.

Blough was drafted in the 18th round of the 2011 draft out of Kennesaw State University. He also spent two years at Middle Georgia College, where he led the team in strikeouts his sophomore season.

During the first half of 2012 the right-hander made 26 appearances out of the bullpen for Kannapolis. He struck out 30 batters in 37 and one-third innings while converting six of 11 save opportunities.

-Mike