(Photo Credit: Helene Haessler/MILB.com)
A day after the major league All-Star Game in San Diego, the top prospects in Triple-A and Double-A were on display. T.J. Rivera, Travis Taijeron, and Gabriel Ynoa represented the Las Vegas 51s for the Pacific Coast League All-Stars, and Matt Oberste, Tyler Pill, and Logan Taylor represented the Binghamton Mets for the Eastern League East All-Stars. Taijeron and Oberste were named as the most valuable player for their respective games.
Taijeron started at designated hitter and played the entire game. His two-run home run off Jason Wheeler in the second inning accounted for all of the PCL runs and was the only longball of the game. Rivera started at third base and went 1-3 with a double in the first inning. Ynoa relieved starter Brady Rogers to begin the third inning and allowed one hit in a scoreless frame.
Oberste was a major part in the EL East’s offensive breakout on Wednesday, as the third baseman went 4-5 with a double and four runs batted in. The team ultimately won 10-2 on 20 hits. Pill served up a home run to Orioles SS Garabez Rosa in the fourth inning, and Taylor continued his strong season by striking out two in the eighth.
The 51s are back in action on Thursday, as they’ll travel to Des Moines to face the Iowa Cubs. The B-Mets will host the Hartford Yard Goats for a weekend series.
I lucked into watching the AAA all star game: it was on at local bar. Travis looks good in jeans, I.e., he reminds me of Kirk. I know, not a good comparison; point is, dude is a stud athlete. To top it off, he’s performing. The homer he knocked was no joke; and another nail in my ageism conspiracy coffin. Give this guy and Rivera a real shot. They may not meet the formula (eg low s/o, high babip, smfh) to success crafted by an entire scouting industry; but, success comes in all flavors. I’m glad they gave RA a shot; out of necessity, I remember that team. Still, a shot; and that’s what Travis needs.