A start of a new series for baseball fans begins today. Every day we will look at the best statistical games from the night prior in the minor leagues. Not only does this allow fans to get to know their favorite teams’ prospects but dynasty fantasy players can see a quick glimpse of who might be heating up.
Each day we will pick the three or four best statistical batting games and add honorable mentions at the end of the post. Every minor league baseball player is eligible from Single-A to Triple-A. Players can appear multiple days in a row. If we missed someone or something, let us know in our social media channels. Do you think someone else should have been made it in our Minor League Baseball Stars Of The Day? Let us know.
C.J. Alexander – Atlanta Braves – Double-A
The former 20th round pick of the Atlanta Braves had a night for himself and his Mississippi teammates in Double-A baseball. Alexander hit his third and fourth homeruns of the season after hitting 10 all of last year in the same league, with the same team. Alexander added a single and six runs batted in. On the season, Alexander is slashing .274/.329/.809 which is a lot better than his career averages of .234/.312/.697.
Alexander is in his age-25 season and needs to show improvement soon in order to become part of the Atlanta Braves’ future plans. As it stands, Alexander is slotted as a versatile bench bat able to play multiple defensive positions although the majority of his time has been spent at the hot corner.
Yohendrick Pinango – Chicago Cubs – High-A
The 20-year-old free agent signing of the Chicago Cubs put on a show last night in South Bend, Indiana. Pinango hit two homeruns on his way to six runs batted in and two runs scored. Pinango has not been successful playing in a league where most opponents are almost two and a half years older than him. One of his homeruns was a grandslam with an exit velocity of 108 miles per hour. This could be the baseball game Pinango needed to break out of his slump.
With career lines of .296/.356/.755, Pinango’s 2022 slash line leaves more to be desired as a pedestrian .235/.304/.706. Pinango projects as major league depth, a sort of Quad-A player. Although he has shown flashes of promise at the plate, an increase in competition has proven to be difficult through 112 plate appearances in the young 2022 season.
Sam Haggerty – Seattle Mariners – Triple-A
Although Sam Haggerty is not considered a prospect at the age of 28, his performance from last night must be mentioned. In five plate appearances, Haggerty recorded one official at-bat while scoring three runs and adding one hit (a double). Amazingly, Haggerty walked four times last night for Tacoma.
Haggerty will see some major league team as he has in past seasons. He is the prototypical emergency depth player where he excels in Triple-A but has yet to find sustained success or opportunity at the major league level. Currently, Haggerty is slashing .305/.375/.889 with five homeruns and a 19/10 K/BB ratio.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Wilfredo Flores – Philadelphia Phillies – Single-A: The 22-year-old went 3-4 with two runs scored, a double, one homerun and one walk. This should be Flores’ first full professional season after playing sparingly since signing with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018. Through 55 plate appearances, Flores is killing the competition by hitting .333/.382/.833 with a solid 7/4 K/BB ratio.
Have nominations? Nominate your favorite players by tagging @dmul37 on Twitter with #MILBStars. Is it a video of a spectacular catch or a hard hit moon shot? Either way, let us know.
