Columbus Game Notes
April 7, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Columbus Clippers News Release
Yandy Diaz enters 2018 as the franchise leader in batting (.332), having won the IL Batting Title in 2017 and finishing 2nd in 2016. Diaz is also the franchise leader in OBP (.419), having led the IL in consecutive years (.454 last season was franchise record and highest in the IL since 1983). Of 216 IL batters to log at least 120PA last year, only Diaz accumulated more walks (60) than strikeouts (56).
Party in India-Napoli's
Mike Napoli began the season ranked 13th among active players with 267 Major League homers, to go with 87HR in the minors (6HR in 25 games at Triple-A). His grand slam in the 6th inning last night was his first since 9/6/13 at New York (AL) with Boston (had been 3x29 with the bases loaded between slams, all AB in the Majors). Napoli now leads the IL with 4RBI.
Working the Count
Last night the Clippers were the victims of 15K (on pace for a franchise record, 2,100K), but were also able to draw 9BB, forcing the Indy pitching staff to throw 210 pitches (Columbus pitchers threw 137 pitches). Only Greg Allen was able to avoid getting punched out last night, as he drew a pair of walks and got hit three times (accounts for 30% of HBP in the IL so far).
Hot Haase
Among the three hits collected by Eric Haase last night was a triple, his first since 7/5 of last year (23rd of career). Haase had five triples while in Akron last season, coming off a 2016 with Akron in which he had just one triple (had seven in 2015 with Lynchburg). Clipper catchers have produced five total triples in the last five seasons, led by a pair from Omir Santos in 2013.
Only nine Clippers on the active roster have seen time in a Columbus uniform before, including just one in the bullpen (Louis Head). Three such players, Eric Haase, Todd Hankins and Mike Papi, have each spent fewer than 50 days on the Columbus roster. The average age of the active roster is over 28 years old with nine players aged 30 or more.
He's #1
For the first time since the 2016 season, the #1 prospect in the organization will open in Columbus (Francisco Mejia). The last time the Clippers had a catcher as the #1 prospect was in 2010 (Carlos Santana). That year, Santana homered twice vs. Indianapolis on opening day and hit .316/.447/.597 with 13HR and 51RBI through 57 games before a permanent recall on 6/11/10.
Who Are These People
Despite missing two months of the season with a fractured hamate in his right hand, Greg Allen still managed 25SB between Cleveland and the minors. Columbus has not had a player with 25SB since Tyler Holt in 2015 and was led by Ronny Rodriguez with 15 last season. In 2017, after Bradley Zimmer's 9SB were recalled to Cleveland on 5/15, a month passed with Erik Kratz leading the team (2).
International League Stories from April 7, 2018
- Indians Blank Clippers Behind Eppler's Excellence - Indianapolis Indians
- Hens' Ninth-Inning Rally Spoiled by Bats' Walk-Off Single - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bats Walk-Off Mud Hens, 4-3 - Louisville Bats
- Robles Makes Presence Known in Chiefs 4-3 Win Saturday - Syracuse Mets
- Syracuse Edges RailRiders 4-3 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Pigs Take Opener in Pawtucket 3-1 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (0-1) vs. Columbus Clippers (1-0) - Indianapolis Indians
- Elias Cruises in Relief in Opening Day Loss - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Pigs Take Opener in Pawtucket 3-1 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Columbus Game Notes - Columbus Clippers
- Bisons/Red Wings Postponed Again Saturday - Buffalo Bisons
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Louisville Bats Start Time Moved to 5:30 PM Saturday - Louisville Bats
- Red Wings, Bisons Postponed Saturday - Rochester Red Wings
- Gwinnett Stripers Postponed in Norfolk Saturday - Gwinnett Stripers
- Tides and Gwinnett Postponed Saturday - Norfolk Tides
- Knights Postponed on Saturday in Durham, NC - Charlotte Knights
- Bulls and Knights Postponed on Saturday - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo at Rochester (3:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Mud Hens Win Season Opener at Louisville - Toledo Mud Hens
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