April 17th, 2019 at 10:00 am 
by Lauren Jennings - Connor Wong and the Case of Extra Base Hits
It’s not every day that you see a player with a .182 average who also leads their team in home runs and is second in doubles, but Rancho Cucamonga Quakes catcher Connor Wong has done just hat to start the 2019 season.
As he has this year, Wong also got off to a home run filled start last season. In 2018, Wong hit 19 home runs in just 102 games, tying him for third in the California League.
This year, he is in a five-way tie for most him runs (4), less than three full weeks into the season.
In addition to his four home runs, Wong has hit two doubles, which rounds out his hits for the season as of April 15.
(Photo credit – Lauren Jennings)
In total, Wong has six extra base hits on the season in 33 at bats. No singles or triples, just home runs and doubles.
His patience at the plate also appears to be paying off as he has walked eight times.
- The Ball That Might Never Land
Casey Golden of the Lancaster JetHawks (Colorado Rockies Class A Advanced affiliate), hit a ball over the trees that makeup the backdrop of the Quakes outfield. According to the JetHawks, “The ball traveled an estimated 450 feet and left his bat at 112 mph.” It was Golden’s fourth home run of 2019.
- Good Luck Charm or Pure Coincidence?
Outfielder Starling Heredia has played in nine games for the Quakes this season, however, he has only recorded hits in games yours truly has attended. On April 12, Heredia entered the game as a pinch hitter and knocked a single to left for his first hit of the season. On April 13, he hit his first home run of the year, a two-run shot to left. Lastly, he went 3-3 on April 14 with two singles and his first triple.
(Photo credit – Lauren Jennings)
- Position. Player. Pitching.
For the first time this season, the Quakes used a position player to pitch. Infielder Brandon Montgomery came in with two outs in the top of the ninth inning of game number four of the series hoping to limit any further damage by the JetHawks. Montgomery needed just one pitch to get the final out of the inning. The batter flew out to center.
- Aggressive Base Running, but….
Having now seen the Quakes play in three games, I’ve made some observations about their approach to base running. Last year, they were aggressive with any and all players on the base paths advancing on a sac fly so long as it was far enough out to do so. I’m noticing that pattern has stuck around this year, which is definitely good for the team and increases the chances of scoring.
However, as with the parent club Los Angeles Dodgers, the Quakes tend to a leave a lot of runners on when innings end. They get runners in scoring position, but often need big hits to bring them home. Of course, home runs, triples and doubles can’t always be the answer. Small ball could certainly help, but the aggressive base running is a good start. In addition to taking the initiative on running, Quakes players are also stealing more bases. The team leads the league with 27 steals and outfielder Brayan Morales leads the league individually with seven.
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I don’t know why the current Dodger philosophy largely discourages smart aggressive baserunning. Best Dodger teams have always made it a staple of their offensive approach. Matter of fact, had they done more of that in the 2017 and 2018 WS they probably would’ve wound up winning at least one of those already. At least Bellinger’s finally gotten it this season and now he’s looking at an NL MVP campaign as a result.
Speaking of the Quakes, I think OF prospect Donovan Casey might be ready for a Tulsa promotion at any moment now. Dating back to last season when he came back in the second half from a leg injury sustained early on in the first half, he hasn’t stopped raking with the bat! For someone that was originally a two-way player prior to being drafted, this is VERY good news. And last year’s 6th round pick/LHP Bryan Warzek had the best outing of the young season by any Quakes starter last night: 5 NO-HIT innings with 8 Ks (did walk 4 though, so he’ll have to watch that as he continues to progress). Not sure if starting’s in his long-term future, but I do like what he showed in that game especially…
Matter of fact, had they done more of that in the 2017 and 2018 WS they probably would’ve wound up winning at least one of those already.
Show me your factual evidence, please?
I’m in agreeance with the fact that they should be more active on the basepaths, even if I disagree with your not so factual statement.
I’m not gonna do your work for you, lol. You can look it up on the internet and find out for yourself. That said, I don’t mind if you disagree with me on that particular sticking point. I’ve been watching this Dodger ballclub closely for the past seven years so at the very least I know what I’M talking about.
I have missed 3 games in 11 years myself. I didn’t say you weren’t a knowledgeable fan…But you started off with the sentiment that what you say, is indeed the fact. It is not indeed fact and you cannot prove that it is so. That’s all.
Matter of fact. I truly enjoy your wisdom.
As for why analytics guys don’t value the running game, highly…I would indeed have to look that up once again, I have forgotten what it said the first time.
Matter of fact (at least to me) implies that what you are about to profess, bestows validity within it.
More matters of fact. The Dodgers won today and the sunshine caused havoc on several of the balls hit into the sky.
Manuel, I have stated before and will so again, that you make a lot of valid comments. You obviously watch a lot of baseball and from what it looks like not just the big league squad. I commend you for this and admire the passion.