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Ronny Mauricio had another impressive game Tuesday as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies hosted Akron's Rubber Ducks. The Mets top infield prospect used this swing for a home run down the right field line. Just ask the fan standing a few feet from me whether it was fair or foul.  

The switch-hitting shortstop's ticket to Queens might require a position change. He's blocked at by the locked-in-for-a-decade Francisco Lindor. Still, his bat and athleticism could easily translate to 3rd base or center field. Below, he stretches to pull in a pop-up.
Tuesday served up some perfect spring weather, the sun overtaking the clouds and temperatures in the mid 60s.
I didn't realize that Cleveland outfielder Josh Naylor has a kid brother. Noah "Bo" Naylor was the franchise's first round pick in 2018. His minor league career was interrupted by the pandemic-related shutdown of 2020. But from what I saw Tuesday, he appears to be back on track.
He touches home plate after leading off the game with a home run. Bo later singled, walked and scored another run as the Rubber Ducks (the AA Guardians) rolled to a 5-2 victory.

Finally, a nice slice of history:


On this date in 1956, Mickey Mantle becomes the player ever to homer from both sides of the plate in three different games. 

Batting righthanded, the switch hitter connects off Billy Pierce in the 5th inning, then forces extra innings when he sends a Dixie Howell pitch soaring in the 9th. The Yanks go on to beat the White Sox 8 - 7 in 10, at the original Comiskey Park. 

So, who'd held the old mark? Jim Russell, who did it with the Boston Braves (1948) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1950).



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