Triple the power for Captains' Soto
As significant a feat as hitting three home runs in one game may be, not everyone was surprised at Junior Soto's offensive explosion on Saturday night, least of all his hitting coach.Soto homered in each of his last three at-bats, including a game-tying shot in the ninth, as Class A
As significant a feat as hitting three home runs in one game may be, not everyone was surprised at
Soto homered in each of his last three at-bats, including a game-tying shot in the ninth, as Class A Lake County rallied for a 5-3, 10-inning win over South Bend at Four Winds Field.
Gameday box score
The 20-year-old entered with two homers in 17 games and six in his first 133 professional contests. He became the second Captain this season to go deep three times in one game, joining
"Junior spent a lot of time down in extended [spring training] working on his craft and getting into stronger positions to hit. Since he's been here, he's swinging with great intent and confidence," Captains hitting coach
Playing his 18th game above Rookie ball, Soto started his night inauspiciously by striking out in the first. The outfielder took starter
"Just having a good approach and just trying to hit the ball hard," Toole said of Soto. "As a hitter, you're always trying to do that. He found pitches he could hit and hit hard, and tonight they found the seats.
"It's exciting to watch, and not just because of tonight. Watching the way he works and the way he goes about things is a treat. The adjustments he's made since Spring Training is not only super-exciting for our squad but for the organization. He's given a jolt to our lineup on offense and defense since he's been here. Anytime you've got a talent like that as a hitting coach, it makes going to the cages and the games a lot of fun"
Signed by the Indians as an undrafted free agent in 2013, Soto hit .282/.319/.506 with two long balls and 12 RBIs in 26 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League last summer. The native of the Dominican Republic was assigned to Lake County on May 24 and batted .346 in his first nine games in the Midwest League. Soto entered Saturday in a 3-for-29 slump but emerged with his second three-hit game and fourth multi-hit effort of the year.
"He's a kid that's been swinging the bat well, especially in terms of hard contact," Toole said. "Whether it's in the gap, over the wall or right at somebody doesn't really matter. Just hit the ball as hard as you can, as often as you can.
"Junior's a big, lanky, strong kid. These kinds of results are possible with someone like that, and tonight we saw it. It's a credit to the hard work he's put in."
Lake County's
Michael Avallone is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MavalloneMiLB.