South Bend Cubs outfielder Eloy Jimenez shone in another showcase game Sunday, less than a month after being named the Top Star in this year’s Midwest League All-Star Game.
Jimenez didn’t enter the All-Star Futures Game until the 6th inning, but he had enough time to make a solid case for being named the MVP of the contest. He didn’t get the nod — Boston Red Sox prospect Yoan Moncada earned the honor by hitting the go-ahead homer for the World Team in the 8th inning — but Jimenez doubled, crushed a three-run homer, and made an impressive over-the-railing catch.
Jimenez is one of two current Midwest Leaguers who played in the Futures Game, with the other being Lansing Lugnuts LHP Angel Perdomo. Two others — former Lugnuts RHP Francisco Rios and former Lake County Captains catcher Francisco Mejia — started this season in the Midwest League.
Perdomo pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up two runs on two walks and two doubles (by former Quad Cities River Bandits shortstop Alex Bregman and former Captains outfielder Clint Frazier). He was relieved by Rios, who allowed one run on three hits in 1.1 innings.
Mejia singled and scored in the game. He has an active 33-game hitting streak that began in the Midwest League. During that stretch, the Indians prospect also collected hits in the Midwest League All-Star Game and the All-Star Futures Game, which of course don’t count toward his hitting streak.