Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
In honor of the NFL Draft that concluded Saturday, you might be wondering who the lowest-drafted player to make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame. While the latest-draft member of the Pro Football Hall of Famer is offensive tackle Roosevelt Brown, taken in the 27th round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, baseball has one even later. That would be Mike Piazza, who was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 62nd round out of Miami Dade College in 1988, the 1,390th selection. Sure, he might have been helped by the fact that Tommy Lasorda, the manager of the Dodgers, was a friend of Piazza’s dad, but Piazza did all the work to make it through the minors and thrive in the majors.
Today’s Headlines
Alvarez + Altitude = Astros Avalanche
Playing in the Mile High City of Denver is one thing. Playing in Mexico City is another. At an altitude of 7,350 feet, you knew offense was going to be on center stage for the two-game Mexico City Series between the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies. Slugger Yordan Alvarez and his immense power stole the show, crushing not one, but two homers that traveled the exact same distance — 461 feet. The two blasts accounted for three RBIs as the Astros cruised past the Rockies 12-4. The offensive outburst, which featured 15 hits to match their season-best, came at the right time for the Astros, who were 7-26 entering the weekend.
Lift off in Mexico City! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/dkQrCcWQFG
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 27, 2024
YORGONE. pic.twitter.com/XK6XifMiUZ
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 28, 2024
Suarez Scoreless Streak Stopped
Sure, the Philadelphia Phillies have Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler at the top of their rotation. But left-hander Ranger Suárez has been their best pitcher so far this season. Suarez, who entered Saturday’s start with a 25-inning scoreless streak, blanked the San Diego Padres for 7.2 innings before yielding a solo homer in a 5-1 victory. Suarez improved to 5-0 while walking none and striking out eight. His ERA stands at 1.32 following Saturday’s outing. The Phillies have been on fire, winning 10 of their last 12.
The power lies on his side pic.twitter.com/yyvMcZyiTW
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 28, 2024
Kirby K’s Dozen
It was ’90s Night for the Seattle Mariners and George Kirby’s performance certainly made it feel like the age of dominant starting pitching. The right-hander struck out a career-best 12 and allowed just two hits over seven innings as the Mariners slipped past the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1. This came after his previous start was cut short due to arm soreness, but this was definitely vintage Kirby. The Mariners’ rotation has been scintillating, allowing two or fewer earned runs and striking out at least four in the last 15 games.
Oh, snap 😎
What a night for @gkirb98! #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/3hOX86IZ5X
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 28, 2024
Alonso Fourth-Fastest To 200 HRs
No one doubts Pete Alonso’s ability to hit the long ball, but when you reach big round numbers and are mentioned with only a few other great sluggers, the perspective starts to come into focus. Alonso, the two-time Home Run Derby champion, crushed the 200th of his career in the New York Mets‘ 7-4 setback to the St. Louis Cardinals. He hit the big round number in the fourth-fewest games in MLB history, behind Ryan Howard (658), Aaron Judge (671) and Ralph Kiner (706).
No. 200 got out in a hurry 🚀 pic.twitter.com/FfulLpzDch
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 27, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
True Back-to-Back Blasts
There are back-to-back home runs and then there are back-to-back home runs on back-to-back pitches. Cue up Baltimore Orioles teammates Adley Rutschman, who hit a solo shot on a 1-1 pitch with two outs in the fifth inning, and Ryan Mountcastle, who made it 5-0 against Oakland A’s left-hander JP Sears.
The @Orioles go back-to-back on back-to-back pitches! 💪 pic.twitter.com/xXYCRVYRfe
— MLB (@MLB) April 27, 2024
White Sox Walk It Off
There won’t be that many Chicago White Sox highlights this season, so make sure not to miss them when they happen. Andrew Benintendi hit a two-run walk-off homer in the 10th inning to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-7.
BENNY CALLED GAME! pic.twitter.com/ntnccz3hqy
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 28, 2024
Tip Of The Cap
The City Connect uniforms of the New York Mets made their on-field debut. While some have criticized them for being a little bit of a ripoff of their crosstown rival (particularly the black and white with pinstripes), the helmets certainly were top-notch with the Queensboro Bridge across the front, similar to the hats worn.
The Mets' City Connect batting helmets go way too hard 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6UKODXp1yI
— MLB (@MLB) April 27, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Baltimore Orioles right-handed starter Kyle Bradish (sprained right UCL) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list this week to make his season debut. Bradish made a rehab start Friday. Another potential addition to the Orioles’ rotation is left-hander John Means (strained left forearm), who is likely to be making his final rehab start Sunday.
⚾ Astros left-handed starter Framber Valdez (left elbow soreness) was activated from the 15-day IL and will start Sunday.
⚾ Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (right elbow inflammation) will be shut down indefinitely after feeling tightness following a bullpen session. Brash was on the verge of beginning a rehab assignment before this setback.
⚾ First baseman-outfielder Joey Gallo (sprained left AC joint) was put on the 10-day IL.
⚾ New York Mets right-handed reliever Drew Smith (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day IL. Outfielder Starling Marte was put on the bereavement list.
Articles You Should Read
MLB teams spiraling toward extended awfulness — Joel Sherman, New York Post
10 teen prospects with standout data — Ben Badler, Baseball America
Did Ted Williams’ 1946 homer go further than 502 feet? — Mike Petriello, MLB.com
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