This past Monday June 3 the Tennessee Smokies hosted a double header vs. the Jackson Generals. The Generals are the AA-Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Generals have quite a slew of top prospects especially #3 Prospect in all of MLB Taijuan Walker. I had seen Walker pitch last year for AA-Jackson and he was impressive but I was excited to hear I would get to see him again. Walker stands 6'4 and about 210 and he has an impressive stretch. he stayed a consistent 92 - 95 on his fastball and his breaking ball was sick you could see it break from a mile away. If you look at just numbers Walker doesn't look that impressive but for just 20 years old he is amazing.. So far this year Walker is 3-6 with a .267 ERA, and 68 SO in just 64 innings pitched but like I said those number don't do any justice to the pure talent this kid has.
Now back to the game, the first game was a pitching dual. As you know Walker was on the bump for the Generals and for the Smokies it was Kyle Hendrick. Hendrick wasn't on the Cubs preseason top 25 prospects at the begging of the year but he will be in the top 20 next year. Hendrick has been phenomenal this year he was even named the Cubs minor league pitcher of the month. So far this year he is 6-2, 230 ERA and 55 SO's. Hendricks really stole the show he pitched and complete game 7 inning shutout. (minor leagues play 7 innings when there is a double header.) Now in the second game it was more dominance by the Smokies. The Smokies sent A.J Morris out to start the game and then brought in Tony Zych and, Kevin Rhoderick. all 3 pitchers pitched pretty good only giving up one run to the Generals. The Generals sent James Gillheeney to the mound and lets just say it wasn't pretty the Smokies put up 4 runs on him in the 4th inning before he was pulled then they brought in Andrew Kittredge who didn't have much better luck when in the next inning he was taken deep by Cubs #12 prospect Christian Villanueva. The Smokies went on to win the 2nd game 7-1.
Generals Top Prospects
#2 SP Taijuan Walker
#17 OF Leon Landry
#20 2B/OF Jack Marder
#21 C John Hicks
#23 OF Julio Morban
#27 RHP Chance Ruffin
#30 LHP Anthony Fernandez
I am actually planning on attending 2 games this upcoming week when the Smokies take on the Mississippi Braves. I plan on attending the Thursday game where the Braves will have Brandon Beachy making a rehab start and on Saturday.
Generals Top Prospects
#2 SP Taijuan Walker
#17 OF Leon Landry
#20 2B/OF Jack Marder
#21 C John Hicks
#23 OF Julio Morban
#27 RHP Chance Ruffin
#30 LHP Anthony Fernandez
I am actually planning on attending 2 games this upcoming week when the Smokies take on the Mississippi Braves. I plan on attending the Thursday game where the Braves will have Brandon Beachy making a rehab start and on Saturday.