Game: 4/12 Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Augusta GreenJackets
Final: Pelicans 2, GreenJackets 1 F/12
Summary: The Pelicans Kerry Wood Game
In total, the Pelicans struck out 20 batters in 12 innings. Porter Hodge started and threw 4 innings of no run ball, striking out 6, Luis Rodriguez threw 2 innings and struck out 2 batters, Reindl threw 2 innings and struck out 6 batters, Sheldon Reed threw 2 innings and struck out 4 batters, and Walker Powell threw 2 innings and struck out 2 batters while giving up the lone GreenJackets run. In the batters box, the young Pelicans had plenty of opportunities to drive in runs early on in the game. Pete Crow-Armstrong, James Triantos, and Kevin Alcantara (making his Pelicans debut) stranded 20 runners combined, but Kevin Alcantara singled in the game winning run for his first Pelicans hit.
Also, the MiLB.tv broadcast was down for the entirety of week 2, so I’m going off of the audio I listened to for this game.
Player of the Game: Kevin Alcantara
If you’ve read my prospect list you know that I am a big believer in Kevin Alcantara’s tools. Of all the players in Myrtle Beach this year, Alcantara might be the closest to a complete 5-tool packaged player. He had his ups and downs throughout the game, striking out a couple times on 4 pitches, but it still sounded like the moment wasn’t too much for him. We’ve seen in the past when young guys come to Myrtle Beach, they struggle against at the plate with competition that sometimes is 5 or 6 years older than them, but I don’t expect that to be the case with Alcantara. He’s going to be the starting Right Fielder for most of the Pelicans games this year, and I think once he gets more comfortable, we are going to see the tools Alcantara has really shine. Look how much fun he’s already having:
Who You Might Have Missed: Jacob Wetzel
Jacob Wetzel was the lone Pelican to record multiple hits during the game. I’ve noticed he has done a much better job so far this year hitting the ball in the air rather than the ground. During his full year in Myrtle Beach last year, Wetzel hit the ball on the ground often and it resulted with lots of base knocks. Wetzel does has some power potential–he hit 8 home runs in Myrtle Beach last year–and I would like to see Wetzel continue to put a little loft on the ball. I also like what he’s done on the base paths. Wetzel is on pace to swipe 48 bases this year, and he has yet to be thrown out. However, he won’t be in Myrtle Beach for long. Once, a spot opens up in South Bend, Wetzel will probably get a promotion.
Who to Keep an Eye On: Jake Reindl
Jake Reindl pitched for Myrtle Beach for the entirety of the 2021 season where he did not pitch to much success. Fast forward to this year and his first 2022 outing was the best possible outcome for Reindl. He commanded his pitches much better than last year while continuing to get lots of swings and misses. Five of his six strikeouts in his two innings of work came from swings and misses, and I’m looking forward to watching a new and improved Reindl take the mound for the Pelicans. Reindl is 25 years old, much older than the average player in low-A. I would expect the Cubs let him climb up multiple affiliates this year if he can show the organization that he can get outs at each affiliate he throws on.
Feature photo of Kevin Alcantara by Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22)
