Game: 6/12 Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Carolina Mudcats
Final: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 15, Mudcats 6
Summary: Kevin Alcantara is good at baseball
Yes, it’s the third straight game of the week going to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, but the birds are hot! Tyler Schlaffer had another serviceable outing for the Pelicans going 5 innings, giving up 2 ER, 3 hits, and 1 walk, 2 HR, while striking out 7 batters. Jose Miguel Gonzalez threw 3 innings of 1 run ball giving up 2 hits, walking 2 batters, and striking out 4. Johzan Oquendo threw the 9th innings, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 3.
As for the bats, the Pelicans batters continue to amaze. What the team has done offensively has been incredible. Kevin Alcantara highlighted the bats for this week’s game of the week going 4-6 with 2 home runs, a triple, and 8 RBIs. Ezequiel Pagan had 2 singles and 2 walks, Kevin Made had a single, 3 walks, and 3 runs, and Felix Stevens went 2-3 with a double and 2 walks.
Player of the Game: Kevin Alcantara
I’m having a hard time imagining a world where Kevin Alcantara doesn’t end up at a Brennen Davis level of prospect in the 20-50 range of all of baseball. Similar to Brennen Davis, Kevin Alcantara has shown that he can hit for power to all fields. Earlier in the week, Alcantara showed off an oppo taco, but during the game of the week he hit two almost identical moonshots off the scoreboard in left. The power already showing in the skinny 19 year old is really encouraging for his development. At some point we will probably see Alcantara get a shot to play in South Bend before 2023. And here’s a quick thought for everyone: we might see a South Bend Cubs outfield of Alcantara, PCA, and Owen Cassie this year. It’s going to be hard to pick a favorite Cubs minor league prospect in the next few years, but out of all the prospects in the system, Alcantara could have the highest rated power out of all of them.
Who You Might Have Missed: Felix Stevens is looking more comfortable
I would pay good money to see Felix Stevens and Jordan Nwogu arm wrestle or do the Oklahoma drill. The right batter would give Nwogu a good run for most likely to play defensive end after their baseball career is over. Stevens has the strength, but it hasn’t exactly transferred into light tower power or bat speed. However, Stevens is looking much comfortable at the plate now than he did earlier in the year. He is taking much better at bats, and this week’s game of the week is the first time he has gotten on base more than twice in a game. It’s a step in the right direction for Stevens who is 22 years old. If he is going to be a serious consideration for first base in the future he’ll need to continue to get on base and show off the power.
What to Keep an Eye On: Tyler Schlaffer giving up the long ball
Tyler Schalffer was an under the radar pitching prospect I was excited to watch throw this year. I thought there was a good chance for him to be a top of the rotation arm for the Pelicans this year and maybe be a number 5/ long reliever in a major league rotation down the road. However, Schlaffer has struggled more than any other starter for the Pelicans. This week’s game of the week game was one of Schlaffer’s better starts this year, but he also gave up two solo home runs. A low strikeout percentage of 22% combined with one of the higher fly ball percentages in the system of 37% doesn’t bode well for when he is promoted past Myrtle Beach. His HR/FB percentage is average, but with all the fly balls he gives up, some are bound to leave the yard. The long ball has been a problem for Schlaffer, and it’s something to keep an eye on.
Feature photo of Kevin Alcantara by Stephanie Lynn (@SRL590
