MLB
Jhonkensy Noel shows why he was called up with home run in first Major League at bat
The Cleveland Guardians’ latest prospect Jhonkensy Noel gets called up from AAA ball and wastes no time in showing why he belongs in the Show.
Just days ago, 22-year-old Dominican outfielder Jhonkensy Noel was playing AAA ball in Columbus, Ohio. Then he got the call. He was headed to the Show, to dress with the Cleveland Guardians for their game on Wednesday in Baltimore.
Opportunities come just once in life and Noel took his shot. In the top of the second, the young man got his first Major League at-bat. With two outs, he blasted a high 1-1 cutter into straightaway center field for a solo home run. It became his first major league at-bat, hit, RBI, and home run all in one.
As luck would have it, his AAA team was in the middle of a rain delay and were watching their team mate’s debut from their clubhouse. The joy was effusive.
The Guardians went on to lose the game 2-4 but Noel made his mark. His complete MLB career stats are 4 at-bats, 1 hit, 1 home run, 1 RBI, and a .250 average. Not a bad start to his career in the Show. Long may it continue.
The Cleveland Guardians fall to 51-27, but are still out front by a sizeable lead in the AL Central.
AL Central Standings
- Cleveland Guardians [51-27]
- Minnesota Twins [43-36] 8.5 GB
- Kansas City Royals [44-38] 9.0 GB
- Detroit Tigers [37-43] 15.0 GB
- Chicago White Sox [21-61] 32.0 GB