Random Images

While Freddie Freeman got his 2000th hit over the weekend in a Dodger uniform, odds are when he enters the Hall of Fame next decade, it'll be wearing a Braves cap. (This image is from a May 1st, 2018 game against the Mets in New York.)

Below:  Mickey Moniak was part of the Angels historic outburst Saturday, when they destroyed the Rockies 25-1.  The 2016 1st overall draft pick capped LA's 13-run 3rd inning with a two-run homer.  Moniak went 5-for-5 and finished with four extra-base hits as the Angels set a franchise record for most runs scored in a game.  

After struggling in his years with the Phillies -- with whose Reading farm club I first saw him in 2019 -- the Southern California native has impressed since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake City.


Since most of the games I attend these days are from the minors, I pay special attention to the players fast tracking it to the majors.  Just before an April '22 game, Binghamton Rumble Ponies broadcaster Jacob Wilkins told me to keep an eye on a couple of the Bowie infielders -- 2nd baseman Jordan Westburg (above) and 3rd baseman Gunnar Henderson (below). A year and two months later, they're among the wave of young talent that have turned the Orioles in a contending team.

Yeah, it's that guy again.  Elly de la Cruz, who graduated from Louisville to the Reds just after I saw him play against Syracuse, grabbed a headline Saturday when he became the first Cincinnati player to hit for the cycle since Eric Davis in 1989.  Ironically, Davis wore #44 for the Reds when he emerged as one of baseball's brightest stars.
(Update 4pm ET:  de la Cruz was just named the National League's Player of the Week.)

Finally... when I found the 2017 Spring Training Image I posted of Jorge Mateo, I saw some other future major leaguers.  This is my earliest imagine of Billy McKinney.  Part of the package of young players the Yankees received in the Aroldis Chapman trade, the outfielder made his big league debut in '18, before moving on to the Blue Jays, Brewers, Mets, Dodgers and A's -- before signing a minor league deal with the Yankees last winter.  Recalled following Aaron Judge's injury, McKinney has sparkled at times, hitting .300 with four home runs in 16 games and playing good defense at all three outfield positions.



 

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