Allen Webster had a rough final three starts for the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2011. Some attributed it to fatigue because of a career-high in innings pitched (145), but when the 2012 season began, things were supposed to be back to normal.

Not so fast.

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Webster has struggled mightily this season — and it’s both concerning and perplexing.

Mike Newman of Scouting The Sally watched Webster’s April 26th start against Diamondbacks top prospect Trevor Bauer, and he had good things to say about him, at least early on in the start (questions courtesy of prospect whore and “Dugout Blues” podcast co-host, Jared Massey).

Outpitching Bauer RT @LADugout: @ScoutingtheSAL How’s Webster looking?

— Mike Newman (@ScoutingtheSAL) April 27, 2012

Good.

Sitting 94-96 with life RT @LADugout: @ScoutingtheSAL How’s Webster looking?

— Mike Newman (@ScoutingtheSAL) April 27, 2012

Also good (great, actually).

But then this happened:

Don’t get too excited. He’s falling apart in the 4th RT @LADugout: @ScoutingtheSAL Whoa, very good news. Thanks Mike.

— Mike Newman (@ScoutingtheSAL) April 27, 2012

He still managed to make it through five innings, but he didn’t have a good ending to his outing: 6 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.

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So, what the hell is wrong with the Dodgers second or third best prospect? It appears his mechanics are too clean.

John Manuel of Baseball America had this to say in a May 2nd chat when asked by a reader about Webster’s struggles:

“Thanks for the baton here Nathan. I just happened to talk to a scout about Webster this week who saw one of the outings you’re referencing, in the “got hit around” department. If I recall correctly, he thought the arm action almost was too clean, no deception, and hitters were getting great looks at Webster’s fastball. He was concerned because he’d seen Webster better in the past; doesn’t sound like it’s a matter of his pure stuff being down. David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press just wrote about pitching coach Chuck Crim wanting to speed up his tempo and improve his mound presence. I know the Dodgers think highly of Crim, so I’d trust Chuck to pull him out of it.”

Since that time though, Webster hasn’t fared any better:

3 G (2 GS), 0-1, 9 1/3 IP, 16 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 11.57 ERA

That is UGLY. So ugly that Webster actually relieved Ethan Martin on Tuesday night. I’d say that move could be to limit innings, but Webster hasn’t thrown more than six in any game this season (twice), and has thrown as few as 3 1/3 innings (twice).

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Looking at his peripherals, his walk, strikeout, and home run numbers are on par with his career averages:

2012: 7.8 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 2.14 K/BB, 0.3 HR/9
Career: 8.3 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 2.32 K/BB, 0.4 HR/9

Webster’s FIP is actually better this season than it was in 2011 at Chattanooga (3.65 to 4.05). His groundout-to-flyout ratio is a little lower than last season with the Lookouts (1.84 to 2.10), but it’s still a good rate.

These numbers would lead you to believe he’s been a lot better than his 7.27 ERA and 1.93 WHIP, but here we are on May 18th and Webster is still getting consistently rocked (at least he’s keeping the ball in the yard).

So besides the clean mechanics speculation, what gives?

Webster’s hits per nine innings is where things get scary. He’s allowing 13.8 H/9, which isn’t going to get the job done. When a guy gives up that many hits, it’s hard to say he’s been unlucky, but that’s what his .425 BABIP says.

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So overall, it’s been a number of things for Webster. His velocity and stuff seem to be just fine, which is a positive. However, he basically needs to work on being more deceptive, less hittable, and less unlucky. If he’s more deceptive, he becomes harder to hit, so those two should take care of each other, and his luck should regress to the mean eventually.

There’s still reason to have a lot of hope for the 22-year-old. With teammate Nate Eovaldi ahead of him in the pecking order, and guys like Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang, and Ted Lilly signed through the 2013 season, there isn’t much pressure on Webster to be rushed to the majors. As such, he has time to develop and make adjustments, but the key with any prospect is to show progress, and he hasn’t adjusted to advanced ball yet.

Pitching was the story this week with the Dodgers minor-league system, despite giving up more runs than scored at all but one level. Some strong performances by Chris Reed, Garrett Gould, and Ethan Martin weren’t enough to make the cut.

The Isotopes checked in with the best record at 3-3, while the Lookouts scored the most runs this week with 40.

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Albuquerque Isotopes (3-3)

Runs Scored: 22
Runs Allowed: 26

Player Of The Week

Tim Federowicz – C

It was a quiet week offensively for Albuquerque, but everyone’s favorite backup catcher topped this week’s offensive performer list. Federowicz went 7-for-19 (.368) with two doubles, three RBI, and three runs scored. Federowicz has a nice triple slash through 21 games with the Isotopes: .299/.360/.468.

Pitcher Of The Week

Will Savage – RHP

Savage started two games this week and posted quality starts in both, leading to a solid week — and not just by Pacific Coast League standards: 1-0 W-L, 12 IP, 8 H, 4 R (earned), 2 BB, 5 K. He isn’t much of a prospect at this point as a 27-year-old, but he has thrown well with the ‘Topes so far. The two starts were the first for him this season.

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Chattanooga Lookouts (3-4)

Runs Scored: 40
Runs Allowed: 39

Player Of The Week

Rafael Ynoa – 2B

Ynoa led the Lookouts offense this week, going 8-for-24 (.333) with a double, two RBI, two runs scored, a walk, and two stolen bases. The 24-year-old came into the week riding a 4-for-5 day on April 22nd, so he was definitely on a hot streak. His line stands at .299/.347/.373 for the season.

Pitcher Of The Week

Matt Magill – RHP

Magill made two starts for the Lookouts this week and won them both. His line for the week: 14 IP, 11 H, 2 R (earned), 5 BB, 13 K. Magill’s stuff has always been a question because of his fringe-average fastball, but his off-speed stuff is keeping Southern League hitters off-balance. His 10.73 K/9 is best on the team and trails only James Paxton (Seattle) and Trevor Bauer (Arizona) among starting pitchers with 20 or more innings pitched.

He was also named Southern League Pitcher Of The Week, so I think I’m spot-on with this choice.

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Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (2-5)

Runs Scored: 21
Runs Allowed: 32

Player Of The Week

C.J. Retherford – 3B

Before you get excited, Retherford had a great week as a 26-year-old in High-A. Still, he went 8-for-22 (.364) with three doubles, two RBI, four runs scored, and three walks.

It was a rough week offensively, as the team averaged just three runs per game. With Leon Landry and Joc Pederson out, and guys like Jonathan Garcia and Austin Gallagher struggling (the former more than the latter), it’s going to be a long season for the Quakes at this rate.

Pitcher Of The Week

Andres Santiago – RHP

Santiago had himself a great game on Sunday, which, when coupled with his “meh” start from Tuesday, gives him the slight edge on Garrett Gould. Gould, while dominant in relief of an ineffective Ronald Belisario on Saturday (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 12K), had a poor start on April 23rd (3 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 7 K), letting Santiago pass him.

Santiago, 22, went 6 2/3 innings on Sunday, allowed two hits and struck out 11. His line for the week is as follows: 1-1 W-L, 11 2/3 IP, 13 H, 5 R (earned), 1 BB, 18 K. He now owns a sparkling 2.22 ERA in 24 1/3 innings.

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Great Lakes Loons (3-4)

Runs Scored: 27
Runs Allowed: 37

Player Of The Week

Devin Shines – OF

Shines, the 5’9″ outfielder from Oklahoma State University, went 6-for-20 (.300) this week with a home run, four RBI, and a run scored. As you could probably already tell, it was a light week offensively throughout the Dodgers system, and Low-A was no exception. After today’s game, Shines’ triple slash is a respectable .277/.338/.462. In a pitcher’s league, that’s not too bad, but he is doing it as a 22-soon-to-be-23-year-old, so take it with a grain of salt.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jose Dominguez – RHP

This was a tough one between Dominguez and Arismendy Ozoria, who had a solid week himself. But Dominguez threw four scoreless innings, allowed no hits, two walks, and struck out four. He’s a favorite of Jared Massey at LA Dugout, who thinks he’s being stretched out to possibly go into the Loons’ rotation.

After today’s game (4 IP, 1 H, 6 K), Dominguez, 21, has a 1.83 ERA, a 10.5 K/9, a 1.92 ground ball to fly ball ratio, and a .130 opponents batting average on the season.

Scott Wingo bats against the Visalia Rawhide on April 20th at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga.

Overall, it was a decent week for the minor league affiliates of the Dodgers.

The AAA Isotopes checked in the best record and the best offensive performer, but the A+ Quakes had the best pitcher, just edging out the AA Lookouts.

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Albuquerque Isotopes (6-1)

Runs Scored: 55
Runs Allowed: 40

Player Of The Week

Alex Castellanos – 2B/OF

Castellanos continued his torrid start, going 11-for-25 (.440) with four home runs, eight RBI, nine runs scored, a double, two triples, four walks, and three stolen bases. If he keeps this up, he’s going to force the Dodgers to give him a shot in the majors. His line through 17 games is as follows: .371/.483/.757, four home runs, seven doubles, four triples, seven stolen bases, 18 runs scored, and 12 walks.

Pitcher Of The Week

Cole St. Clair – LHP

St. Clair threw five innings of scoreless relief for the ‘Topes this week. He struck out four, walked three, gave up two hits, and, most importantly, zero runs. With the Dodgers lefty-deficient in the majors, St. Clair could get a look sooner rather than later.

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Chattanooga Lookouts (3-4)

Runs Scored: 35
Runs Allowed: 31

Player Of The Week

Blake Smith – OF

Smith got off to an absolutely miserable start (3-for-27), but he finished this week 9-for-23 (.391) with a home run, a double, four RBI, eight runs scored, and three walks. He seems to be finally hitting his stride and still profiles as one of the best Dodger power prospects in the minors.

Pitcher Of The Week

Shawn Tolleson – RHP

Tolleson threw just 3 2/3 innings this week, but he struck out seven batters while allowing three hits. The performance dropped his career ERA to 0.95 in 106 1/3 innings.

With a low-90s fastball, wipeout cutter, and solid slider, Tolleson isn’t long for the Lookouts and should be among the first relievers called to Los Angeles when the team needs a bullpen arm.

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Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (3-4)

Runs Scored: 31
Runs Allowed: 30

Player Of The Week

Scott Wingo – 2B

Wingo only played in four games this week, but he played well. He went 5-for-13 (.385) with two triples, three runs scored, four walks, zero strikeouts, and three stolen bases.

The 2011 11th-round pick started off his season with a bang, and I was in person on Friday night to see his two triples, which were legit. As Jared Massey of LA Dugout described, he has long strides for being a shorter player (5’11″). Also, he made a nice pivot at second base.

Pitcher Of The Week

Chris Reed – LHP

Reed threw 13 innings in the week, seven of which he did Sunday in his best outing as a professional. He allowed four hits, zero runs, zero walks, and struck out eight. It was a masterful performance by the big lefty and it could be something for him to build on. He had a case of the walks on April 16th against San Jose (five), but still managed to throw six innings of three-run ball.

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Great Lakes Loons (4-3)

Runs Scored: 26
Runs Allowed: 24

Player Of The Week

James Baldwin – OF

Baldwin, who started the season 1-for-30, caught fire a bit this week, going 6-for-22 (.273) with four runs scored and four stolen bases. He’s still striking out too much (35.2 percent), but he’s showing just a little improvement at the plate.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jarret Martin – LHP

Martin was downright masterful at times for the Loons. One of the guys acquired in the Dana Eveland deal, Martin struck out 17 batters in 12 1/3 innings this week, posting a 0.73 ERA while allowing just four walks. Command is Martin’s biggest bugaboo, but it looks like he’s destined for a promotion before too long.