India records first Double-A three-hit game
Jonathan India is handling the jump to Double-A just fine over his first three games.Cincinnati's No. 3 prospect notched his first three-hit game in the Southern League, scoring twice and driving in a run, in Chattanooga's 9-1 win over Birmingham on Wednesday at Regions Field.
Cincinnati's No. 3 prospect notched his first three-hit game in the Southern League, scoring twice and driving in a run, in Chattanooga's 9-1 win over Birmingham on Wednesday at Regions Field.
"It felt great," India said. "I'm just seeing the ball well."
With two outs in the first inning, the fifth overall selection in the 2018 Draft beat out an infield single to third base on a 2-2 pitch by Barons southpaw
"He was a crafty lefty, trying to make you chase, trying to make you ground out," India said. "I was letting him make a mistake and when he made a mistake, I was trying to make him pay."
In the fourth, the right-handed hitter lined Parke's 3-1 offering into center field for an RBI single. India led off the sixth against White Sox No. 14 prospect
Gameday box score
It was first multi-hit game since being promoted to Double-A from Class A Advanced Daytona Beach on Monday.
India missed a week earlier this month with a tweaked right hamstring and played four more games with the Tortugas before moving up.
"They didn't want to rush me back or anything, didn't want to make it worse," he said. "We were able to take it day by day. I was fine, but they were keeping me on a strict rehab schedule."
MLB.com's 40th-ranked prospect has gone 5-for-10 in three games for the Lookouts with three runs scored and an RBI. In 87 Florida State League games, India batted .256/.346/.410 with 28 extra-base hits -- including eight homers -- 50 runs, 30 RBIs and seven stolen bases.
So far, India's hasn't felt overwhelmed in the Southern League, despite the improved level of talent he's faced.
"The pitchers are more polished," India said. "They just know how to pitch. They just command the ball well. That's what I've noticed and I'm adjusting to it."
He's also noticed something else, the quality of Double-A ballparks.
"Where I'm at now is beautiful and we get a lot of fans," he said.
India said he met his new coaches and manager during Spring Training, but with his fast start at the plate, they haven't had much to say beyond "good job out there."
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The 6-foot-1, 200-pound third baseman hit .240 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 44 games between Rookie-level Greeneville, Rookie Advanced Billings and Class A Dayton in his first professional season.
Reds No. 24 prospect
"Big league power," India said of Isabel.
Shlomo Sprung is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @sprungonsports</a