Plenty of rookies made their MLB debuts this season, but none were as eventful as Cleveland Guardians prospect Jhonkensy Noel’s first at bat.
Facing Baltimore Orioles starter Grayson Rodriguez in the second inning on Wednesday, Noel held off the first pitch for ball 1. Then a 97 mph fastball entered the zone where Noel fouled, losing his bat. As in, it slipped from his hands.
That sweet moment got even better on the next pitch, when Noel hit another 97 mph fastball into the home bullpen at Camden Yards.
Among the spectators was the Guardian’s Triple-A team in Columbus, who were on a rain break watching their recent teammate open his MLB career with a home run.
That’s a first career hit and home run for Noel, who finished the day 1-for-4 with that home run and two strikeouts. However, the Orioles won 4-2, as Rodriguez recovered from the home run and pitched seven innings with two earned runs allowed.
Noel is ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the Cleveland system by MLB Pipeline, with his strength obviously rated as his best tool. Before his call-up, he was hitting .295/.359/.578 with 18 home runs in 65 games for Columbus.
