Hogs in the Bigs, Week 6 Review

If this MLB season were a film trilogy, this really feels like we’re at the part of The Empire Strikes Back where Luke Skywalker is dangling in the air shaft, about to make what looks like a suicidal leap.

Five of the nine 2020 Pro Hogs are currently on the Injury List, and an additional one just got dropped down to the “alternate training site.” It’s pretty dark right now.

Brian Anderson (Miami Marlins) – .221 BA, 4 HR, 12 R, 18 RBI

Anderson’s batting average has continued to dip, and he’s 0-fer his last eleven. He did have a nice day on Tuesday, scoring two runs and knocking in two more in a doubleheader sweep of the Mets.

Previous Week: Anderson’s bat has slowed dramatically, going 4-for-31 in his last ten games and seeing his batting average drop precipitously. He’ll need to figure it out as the Fish make their run down the stretch.

Jalen Beeks (Tampa Bay Rays) – 1-1, 3.26 ERA, 26 K, 1 Save

Bad news struck Jalen pretty hard, when he tore his ulnar collateral ligament. He’s done for the year and will undergo Tommy John surgery. So he’s done for 2021, too. May he keep his head up, get after recovery, and come back stronger than ever.

Previous Week: Beeks had an excellent week on the mound. In three games, he gave up nothing but a walk, while striking out four. He also picked up his second career save. His Rays now lead the American League East, and Jalen has certainly been a big part of this run.

Andrew Benintendi (Boston Red Sox) – .103 BA, 4 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB

Our boy is still feeling that strain in his ribs, so he’s still out for awhile.

Previous Week: Benny’s still on the IL, and the Red Sox’ manager, Ron Roenicke, says he’s still “a ways away” from being ready. He may find himself on the trading block over the next week, and maybe that’ll provide him with a fresh start.

Brett Eibner (Miami Marlins) – 0-0, 20.25 ERA, 1 K

After pitching okay in his first relief appearance, Eibner struggled mightily through a third of an inning, giving up three runs. The Marlins have sent him down to their alternate training site. Hopefully, he gets another chance before the season is out.

Previous Week: Welcome back, Brett Eibner! Hogs fans were used to seeing him play center field and pitcher in his time in Fayetteville, but until last week, Eibner had only ever seen time in the MLB as a position player. His transition to pitcher was slowed by a Tommy John surgery in 2018, but he’s fought his way back. In one inning, Eibner got into trouble with the bases loaded but managed to hold on.

Logan Forsythe (Miami Marlins) – .118 BA, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI; 0-0, 9.00 ERA

Forsythe went down with an oblique strain and was placed on the 60-day IL. He’s done for the year.

Previous Week: Offensively, Logan had a slight improvement over last week, striking out only once (as opposed to six times last week) and getting a hit and an RBI (as opposed to nothing and nada last week). He still provides some much-needed depth (offense, defense, and now pitching) for a Miami team looking to make a run to the postseason.

Dallas Keuchel (Chicago White Sox) – 5-2, 2.70 ERA, 26 K

Keuchel had another quality start last week, going six innings and allowing two runs to the Pirates on Wednesday. His seven Ks is his second highest output this season. The White Sox are tied for first in the deepest division in baseball this year. Big D’s going to be pitching in some big games in September.

Previous Week: Dallas Keuchel absolutely ruined the crosstown rival Cubs on Friday night, allowing a run only in his eighth and final inning, and long after it would do any good. His strikeout numbers aren’t impressive, but he’s good at that “cagey lefty” thing.

James McCann (Chicago White Sox) – .340 BA, 3 HR, 9 R, 8 RBI

McCann got a hit, a run, and an RBI in both of the games he played in this week, but most importantly, he became the first Hog to catch a no-hitter when he caught Lucas Giolito’s big night.

Previous Week: It’s almost a cliché at this point, but McCann is producing in limited opportunities, getting at least a hit in each of the three games he started this week, scoring twice more and knocking in another run. Stating the obvious, he’s the best back-up catcher in the entirety of baseball.

Drew Smyly (San Francisco Giants) – 0-0, 3.24 ERA, 11 K

Drew is finally almost done with rehab. After throwing two bullpen sessions last week, he’ll head to the Giants’ alternate training site to face live batters. If all goes well, he’ll be back to pitching in games as early as the weekend.

Previous Week: Smyly is hoping to start throwing off a mound this week, in his long road back to being game ready. He’s still a couple weeks away.

Ryne Stanek (Miami Marlins) – 0-0, 27.00 ERA, 1 K

This Week: Ryne’s been on the IL since August 4th for an undisclosed reason. No news has been reported since. So...idk?

Previous Week: Ryne’s been on the IL since August 4th for an undisclosed reason. No news has been reported since. So...idk?

I feel like we could use some more good news. Here’s something positive from a future Hog Big Leaguer.

Thanks for reading. Go ahead and follow @ArkansasFight on Twitter. For Hog reactions and puns from the guy who wanted to call this feature “Pigs in the Bigs”, follow @lukecdavis.