Tagged: JaCoby Jones

Swashbuckling at Slugger

Louisville Bats vs. Toledo Mud Hens (International League)

Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  Another beautiful day at the ballpark, and this time we had Pirates and Princesses on hand to entertain the kids.  Lily went through a Disney princess stage when she was younger, so I’m familiar with Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, but I don’t know the name of the newer one, the Frozen one.  As far as the pirates go, Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Hook were there for some looting and pillaging.

The Bats were hosting the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate, Toledo Mud Hens, so my allegiance was a little torn.  The Mud Hens, however, jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning, and really never looked back.  Tyler Collins hit a three run blast to help the Hens out in that first inning, as Toledo sent all nine hitters to the plate.  For the Bats, Dilson Herrera answered with a two-run homer of his own to cut into the lead in the second inning.  In the fourth inning, and Matt den Dekker triple, a JaCoby Jones double, and a Bats’ error restored the five run lead for the Mud Hens.  That was about it for the offence in the game, so Brian and I went to meet the pirates.  Lucky for us, the line was a lot shorter than the one for the princesses.

On the mound for the Bats,  Sal Romano took the loss, throwing five innings and allowing seven runs on 10 hits.  Matthew Boyd got the win for Toledo, pitching six innings and giving up two runs on five hits while striking out five.  FINAL:  Bats 2, Mud Hens 7.

Another fun day for Brian and I at the ballpark.  There were tons of kids at this game, especially girls, for the princesses, which made the line to run the bases really long.  Brian opted not to run, and really, he was just playing on the field the day before.  Rough loss for the Bats, but this one I didn’t mind as much…

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Jimenez and Gerber honored by Tigers

21325734839_de4b417391_zThe Detroit Tigers have named Joe Jimenez as their Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and outfielder Mike Gerber Player of the Year. Both players laced up their cleats in West Michigan this season, and both were instrumental in the Whitecaps winning the Midwest League Championship. The 20-year-old Jimenez posted a 1.47 ERA in 40 games with the ‘Caps this season, earning five wins and 17 saves. He struck out 71 batters in 43 innings of work, with a 0.79 WHIP. His 97-98 mph fastball and nasty slider made him the ‘Caps ‘go-to’ guy in late innings, especially in the playoffs. Jimenez was the Tigers’ lone representative at the All-Star Futures game this past July in Cincinnati, and will head back to his home of Puerto Rico to play winter ball.

19382532142_e7bd8a82c5_zGerber hit .292 this season in West Michigan, smacking 13 home runs and 76 RBI’s. He also added 31 doubles, 74 runs scored, and swiped 13 bases with a .822 OPS playing in 135 games this season. He also played eight games with the Whitecaps in 2014, hitting an impressive .387 with five RBI’s. Gerber, 22, was drafted by the Tigers in last seasons’ MLB Amateur Draft out of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in the 15th round. Ranked number 18 on Detroit’s prospect list, he’ll join fellow Whitecaps’ alums Austin Kubitza (last season’s Pitcher of the Year), Montreal Robertson, Dominic Ficociello (recently awarded a MiLB Gold Glove with a .996 fielding %), and Adam Ravenelle in the Arizona Fall League.  JaCoby Jones will also be representing the Tigers as a member of the AFL’s Scottsdale Scorpions. It was fun to watch Jimenez and Gerber play for West Michigan this season, and I’ll enjoy watching them climb the latter up the organization.

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball