I woke up about 90 minutes before the start of the Spain-Netherlands game on Sunday (which was not a very interesting match of soccer, if you missed it – and yes, soccer can be interesting), but as it turns out, that was just in time to catch the TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby on CBS before the World Cup Final started. In the past, I've been skeptical about the appeal and validity of the continuation of the Home Run Derby at the Major League level, as well as the All-Star Game in itself (especially since it is still being used in the Hall of Fame selection process). For this, however, my interest was piqued. It was the final collegiate event to take place at Rosenblatt Stadium. It's an opportunity for the top power hitters in the nation to show off their wares (which is something that MLB teams will no doubt covet in coming drafts with the revival of quality pitching and mandatory drug testing). Not to mention that home runs are one of the most exciting parts of the sport.
The lineup was full of collegiate offensive studs, including the national leader in dingers, Fresno State’s Jordan Ribera, and his closest competition, Siena’s Dan Paolini. The list also included sophomore Matt Skole of Georgia Tech, nephew of our beloved (or maligned, depending on how you view his approach to small ball) skipper, Tony Skole.
A late invite to the competition was ETSU’s first baseman, Paul Hoilman. Hoilman may have caught a break in preparation, though, when Rosenblatt got absolutely poured on the afternoon of the competition. It would certainly seem that way, because Hoilman won the CHRD by a landslide.
Touch ‘Em All Paul got a rare opportunity to go yard at Rosenblatt Stadium before it’s demolished to make room for some penguins that no one in baseball really cares too much about, and he absolutely made the most of it. Hoilman went yard a dozen times in the final round, while Skole hit only one and Mr. Ribera went o’fer in the final round.
Even though the relevance of the home run derby in general has fallen into question, this was actually quite an impressive exhibition of power hitting. Well, on paper, anyway. Likely because of the rain, most of the hitters didn’t perform well at all. Only Hoilman, Skole, and Ribera went yard three or more times during the competition.
Omaha.com reported that Hoilman’s first hit ball was a line drive down the left field line that hit a kid shagging balls square in the mouth. The kid lost a couple of teeth, and Hoilman put the competition on hold and went down to check on the kid personally, which, to me, shows a lot of class.
What really got me excited, though, was how the commentators were absolutely gushing over Hoilman. They invited Andre Dawson to the booth and he had a good bit of praise for Paul, and by all indications, he’s returning for his senior season to keep his options for future employment open.
Paul is playing for the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League this summer. Through 22 contests, Hoilman is hitting a less-than-stellar .232 and has struck out 25 times, but also has seven doubles, a pair of home runs (the league leaders are tied at three) and has been walked thirteen times, one of the highest totals in the Cape Cod League.
Alumni Tracker time! Believe it or not, the Buccaneers have more than one alumnus to track in baseball. Chas Byrne turned pro after getting the call in the 16th round by Kansas City this year, and has been flat-out dominant with the nearby Burlington Royals. In thirteen full innings of work over six games, Byrne has allowed just six hits and one run, striking out sixteen batters while walking just two. He has a team-best WHIP of 0.62 and an equally impressive 0.69 ERA, as well as a pair of saves.
Honestly, this surprised me quite a bit. The move to the bullpen seems to have done him more than a little good, but I never would have expected such a drastic improvement. It could also be indicative of just how bad ETSU’s defense was last season, or the level of competition, but any way you slice it, it’s good to see Byrne putting on a strong performance in Burlington. If you live out that way, you may want to go see them play: you may not get many more chances to watch Byrne live.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Hall (2006) has clawed his way up another rung of the developmental ladder this season to AA, but he may be stuck with the Montgomery Biscuits for a while. With the Marlins’ AA affiliate, Hall has posted a 4-5 record, 3.35 ERA, 33 walks and 58 strikeouts in 94 full innings of work. Not bad, but a far cry from his stellar performance in A-advanced last season. At 26, he still has a little time, but it’s hard to see him doing much beyond the AA level.
In golf alumni news, Rhys Davies carded a three-over 74 to finish in a five-way tie for 21st place with a one-over 285. Davies earned USD $51,617 for his performance. Edoardo Molinari won the competition at twelve under par.
That’s all for Monday’s edition. On Friday, we’ll take a look at Scott Calabrese and Buccaneers FC!
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