"That ball is gone! Kyle Skipworth has done it again with a home run for the fifth day in a row."
If Cincinnati Reds' farmhand Kyle Skipworth was not known for his power prior to this season, then "the cat is out of the bag" now considering he almost broke a nineteen-year-old Southern League (Double-A) record for consecutive games with a round-tripper set by former Chicago Cub and 15 year MLB veteran Derek Lee in 1996.
Although disappointment did come when the 25-year-old came only one game short of the mark, there is no way he can feel dejected now as the Reds' have recalled the catcher to take the roster spot of Johnny Cueto, who was dealt to the Kansas City Royals yesterday afternoon.
Skipworth, who was selected by the Miami Marlins with the six overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, signed with Cincinnati last offseason after seven years in the deep blue waters of Miami's organization. During his long tenure in the system, the California native smacked 82 home runs, including 21 in 116 games with Double-A Jacksonville, and batted the very low average of .215 while receiving one Major League call-up in which he went 0-3 at the dish.
Earlier in 2015, the high school product was recalled by Reds' general manager Walt Jocketty yet did not see any action behind the plate or in the batter's box before being optioned. This time he not only hopes to see some time on the field during his stint but a chance to collect the first Major League hit of his career.
So far this season, Skipworth is batting .219 with 9 home runs and 20 RBIs in 51 games between Pensacola (Double-A) and Louisville (Triple-A) after a .216, 10 HR, 30 RBI season at New Orleans (Triple-A). With Cincinnati, he will serve as the third string catcher behind both Tucker Barnhart and Brayan Peña.