Heading into Spring Training this season, then Kansas City Royals' prospect, Brandon Finnegan had fans excited for what he could bring to the future of the organization. Now, a little over six months later, the first to play at the College World Series and MLB's World Series in the same season is finding that professional baseball may not come as easy as originally anticipated.
Finnegan, who made his Major League 363 days ago, was shipped to the Cincinnati Reds this past July as the center piece of a package that moved Johnny Cueto to the 2014 American League Champions. Prior to being dealt, the southpaw had a good statline of a 3-0 record, 2.96 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 14 MLB relief appearances. But, aside the fact, concern lied with his performances at Triple-A considering he was 0-2 with a humongous 7.07 ERA in 14 innings of PCL action. Which pitcher were the Reds receiving? Unfortunately, the latter.
In the Louisville Bats' (Triple-A) rotation, the former TCU star entered this evening's start winless in two decisions. Tonight did not break the trend.
From the get-go, the Columbus Clippers entered the batter's box with confidence against the 22-year-old and began the game with two hits (from Tyler Holt and Erik Gonzalez respectively). Later in the frame, Cleveland Indians' prospect Jesus Aguilar plated the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to give his team an early lead.
Despite Finnegan struggling initially, he did bounce back in his second inning of work by striking out the side after surrendering a lead-off double to Yandy Diaz. Yet, the top of the Clippers' lineup continued to give the Louisville starter fits as he walked Tyler Holt and Erik Gonzalez to start the third. Once again Jesus Aguilar was up with runners on base, and again the 2015 Triple-A All-Star capitalized by roping a two-RBI double down the right field line. Luckily, with a runner on second and no outs, Finnegan received a huge defensive play from catcher Chris Berset, who caught an Adam Moore pop-up in foul territory and fired the ball to third baseman Kris Negron in plenty of time to place the tag on the advancing Aguilar.
Nevertheless, the heads-up play by Berset eventually chased Brandon Finnegan in the fifth inning as none other than Jesus Aguilar was coming to the plate with runners on the corners. Though a new pitcher (Miguel Celestano) was giving the offerings, the power hitting first baseman singled home Tyler Holt (reached by base on balls) to close the former Royals' line at four earned runs in 4.1 innings of work.
The Louisville Bats will try to break their eight-game losing streak tomorrow night at 6:05 PM EST as they conclude their two game set against the Clippers.