- Screenshot 2023-12-23 090040.png (3.75 KiB) Viewed 895 times
All of this is happening despite this:
The recent slump has coincided with the loss of Helmut Grun to a bone bruise. He's still expected to be out about a week yet. In his stead, the Hustlers promoted Michael Pedorzolli from AAA Milwaukee. With Milwaukee, the veteran first baseman was absolutely raking (.411/.458/.574/1.032 in 129 at-bats). He started very slow with the Hustlers but has had a couple of good games of late. "I like his at-bats," said manager Henry Rectenberg. "He's a nice addition to our club. We'll find some spots for him even after Helmut returns."
Speaking of slow starts, rookie outfielder Keith Jahnke started off extremely cold in both of his first two callups. He slashed .182/.308/.182/.490 in April, and .242/.306/.303/.609 in June with the Hustlers. "We all knew he'd eventually break out," said Rectenberg. "Way too much talent not to." Break out he did. Upon being recalled in June, he then slashed .319/.346/.489/.836 for June, and has started out July with a vengeance (.404/.417/.468/.885). His emergence has pushed the veteran Kidane Ata mostly to the bench. Ata, signed to a one year $8.5M contract with a team option for 2058 in the offseason, was the Hustlers' lone All-Star last year at age 39 but has found his age 40 year to be rougher going (.249 .298 .400 .698 with a 0-1 WAR). "I will do whatever is best for the team," said the veteran Ata. "I remain in good spirits. God is good."
