Unexpected but Appreciated

Baseball as launch angle verges on unwatchable.  If it weren’t for the feel-good stories, I don’t know if I’d bother.

Which is why  I so enjoy the story of Mike Yastrzemski.  The grandson of that Yastrzemski, this one was drafted by the Orioles in 2013 and languished in their system for six years before being dealt to the Giants.  Since his call up in late May, the 5’11” Yastrzemski has hit .259 with nine homeruns, including a walk-off against the Mets yesterday.  You gotta love it.   

The same goes for 25-year old Mike Brosseau of the Rays.  Also 5’11”, the undrafted Brosseau was called up in late June for what should’ve been a cup of coffee, only guess what?  The pride of Oakland University a little outside of Detroit can hit, to the tune of four homers to go with eleven RBIs and a .309 BA in just 55 at-bats.  You gotta love it.

And did I mention Adam Engel?  My favorite center fielder is back from the dead.  Called up for the weekend series in Tampa, Engel responded with six hits in three games, to push his batting average to a respectable .270.  If this keeps up, there may be hope for Daniel Palka.