Roache, Correa make homer history

Sunday's game between Class A Wisconsin and Quad Cities was most notable for the powerful firsts displayed by two of last year's first-round picks.

Victor Roache, the 28th overall selection in the 2012 Draft by Milwaukee, knocked a two-run shot in his very first at-bat as a pro. And Carlos Correa, last year's top overall pick, put together his first two-homer game.

Correa's River Bandits went on to top Roache's Timber Rattlers, 12-5, but, all things considered, it might have been the more memorable game for Roache.

"That felt really good. I had a little butterflies, but mainly I wanted to go up there and just get the bat on the ball, hopefully drive one. Thankfully it got up and got out of here."

Roache became the second-to-last position player from the 2012 Draft's first round to make his pro debut.

The 21-year-old led the NCAA with 30 homers at Georgia Southern University as a sophomore in 2011. Ahead of the Draft, though, the outfielder broke his wrist last February, ending his season. Sunday was his first time out on a field in a competitive game since then.

"It was a very long process, long and slow, total of seven months recovery and rehab," Roache said of the process. "I was ready to go in Spring Training, swinging the bat well. And then my hamstring kind of tightened up on me the last couple days and I went to extended spring training just to make sure it was 100 percent."

Roache added that he was more than ready to make his debut with Wisconsin.

"Since I was drafted last year I haven't had a pro at-bat, so I was chomping at the bit," he noted. "Being a competitor, loving to play the game, it's tough having to sit out and watch. Sitting out a week or so is one thing, but sitting out seven months is tough. I'm just happy to get back out there and enjoy the game."

Correa had one homer in his first 10 games coming into Sunday's contest for the Astros affiliate.

"It felt great. You work in the cage, put the work in every single day. It gives me confidence obviously to just keep working on your plan and do what you're doing," he said. "The first one was on a fastball down the middle and I hit it to center field. The second one was a 2-2 slider, I knew that one was gone."

After the power outburst, Correa is hitting .256/.396/.535 in 11 games for the River Bandits.

"It's been a great start to the season for the team, I feel good. It's a long season so you just keep working," the 18-year-old said.

On Sunday, Correa finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs, four runs scored and a walk. Roache wound up 1-for-3 with a walk, two RBIs and two runs.