This Corpus Christi Thursday, a holiday in the Dominican Republic, let’s take a look at some Major League Baseball players who have caused news in the last few hours. They are not mega stars, but they pique the interest of the fan.
KODY CLEMENS: If the surname sounds familiar to you, he is the son of Roger Clemens, the legendary 7-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher who has been shunned by Hall of Fame voters for his (rumored) steroid use. The son, Kody, is an infielder for the Detroit Tigers and has several weeks with the senior team.
He has reached the majors at the age of 26, a little late by American custom. Yesterday he made a bit of noise because they pitched him in a game that was 12-0 against the White Sox, who finally won 13-0. Kody shot balloons and in one inning they gave him 3 hits and a walk, a run . In fact, it was on Monday that he had his first MLB hit after missing his first 17 at-bats. Now Kody is 2-for-23 at .087.
Historically, in any sport it is not easy for a son to equal or surpass his father when he has been a star. It happens, but in 1 out of 10 cases.
ROBINSON CANO. He has been playing for the El Paso team, triple A from San Diego. Excluding yesterday, in his first 9 at-bats he had 3 hits, including a double, driving in three runs, an average of .333, with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts… There is the question of what Canó is doing playing in the minors, if he is to get in shape and see if any other club calls him this month or in July… Because it looks like in San Diego, if they return him to the senior team, he won’t have much of a chance to play. During his time there, Canó went 11-74, with a .149 average, 1 HR, 4 RBIs and a .182 OBP.
ALBERT PUJOLS: He has seen action in 35 of the 64 St. Louis games, which is a lot considering that he is a designated hitter to face only left-handed pitching. In 105 at-bats he has 22 hits, a .210 average, 4 home runs, 16 RBIs, .315 OBP… St. Louis is 37-27 and has assumed first place in the Central Division.
WITH MACHINED: Manny Machado hit his 1,500th lifetime hit last night, and he’s doing very well in his career. He is 29 years old and is in his 11th season in the majors. Since he is so young, a projection can be made that he will reach 2,500 hits in 6 or 7 years, and who knows if he is closer to 3,000. It is not easy to predict the future. He has a 10-year, $300 million contract with San Diego, through 2028.
He was born in Miami, the son of a Dominican father.
NOMAR MAZARA: The veteran outfielder is still up with San Diego, after starting the season in triple A. Until yesterday, Mazara was 32-11, with an average of .344, no home runs and 5 RBIs, a good OPB of .464…
Last year, playing for Detroit, he went .276-3-1 and went into free agency. This year, in El Paso, he was hitting really well with a .367-7-27 line in 35 games.
INJURED: Jeremy Peña, shortstop for the Houston Astros, went on the disabled list yesterday… His average for the season is .277 with 9 home runs, 27 RBIs, and he adds 6 steals with no outs… His injury is in his big toe of the left foot.
STELLAR: Right-hander Tony Gonsolin continues to be the best performer for the Dodgers, above all others. On Tuesday, Gonsolin won again, he is 8-0 and 1.42, in 63.1 innings, only 23 hits and 60 strikeouts. He has allowed 4.5 hits per 9 innings, exceptional, and 8.5 strikeouts per 9 innings..
HOME RUNNERS: Earlier last night, Yankees judge Aaron Judge hit his 25th home run and is on track for an off-the-charts season. Will he make it to 60?
