A pair of Los Angeles Dodgers prospects led their respective clubs to victory as Alex De Jesus hit for the cycle for the High-A Great Lakes Loons in a 13-4 victory, and Jacob Amaya slugged a grand slam in the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers’ 12-8 win.
De Jesus started his night with a double during the bottom of the first inning to drive in Jorbit Vivas in the process to put the Loons up 1-0. Amaya then came around to score on a double from Jose Ramos.
The Dodgers’ No. 20 prospect hit his third home run of the season in the third inning, which extended the Loons’ lead to five. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were able to quiet his bat in the fourth when De Jesus flied out to center field.
De Jesus then got the hardest part of the cycle out of the way with a two-run triple in the fifth inning, putting the Loons up 11-0. He then scored when Ramos singled to left field.
The cycle was completed with a leadoff single in the seventh before De Jesus came around to score the Loons’ 13th run of the game. He was then retired again in the eighth inning when he struck out on three pitches to end his night.
Here’s the highlights!! https://t.co/s09JtaytOC pic.twitter.com/MPugbuea1l
— Los Pepinillos Picantes Del Norte (@greatlakesloons) June 17, 2022
De Jesus finished the day 4-for-6 with four runs scored and four RBI, raising his average to .310 and his on-base plus slugging to .971.
Amaya, who was making his third start for the OKC Dodgers after being promoted from Double-A Tulsa, entered the game still looking for his first Triple-A hit after going 0-for-3 in each of his previous two games.
It's beautiful. pic.twitter.com/WRMAxCedu6
— Oklahoma City Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) June 17, 2022
The Dodgers’ No. 19 prospect was swinging a hot bat for the Drillers prior to his promotion, hitting .264/.370/.500 with nine home runs. Amaya has never been known for his offensive skills, so it was an encouraging sign to see his power breakout and the Dodgers decided to test him with a higher level of competition.
Although he lined out in his first at-bat in the second inning and grounded out in the fourth, Amaya was given a big opportunity in the fifth.
Jake Lamb singled, Jason Martin was hit by a pitch, and Ryan Noda reached base by grounding into a force out with Miguel Vargas thrown out at the plate to load the bases for Amaya.
With two outs and OKC trailing by one, he took the count to 2-2, and on the sixth pitch he saw, Amaya blasted the pitch to left field for a grand slam and his first hit as a member of the club.
Amaya added a single in the ninth inning to finish his day 2-for-4 with five RBI and one run scored.
Dodgers don’t have set timetable for Dustin May’s return
Dustin May was emerging as a key contributor for the Dodgers last season before suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, which required Tommy John surgery.
May has been projected to be out until some time after the All-Star break, and his absence — along with eventual return — is more of a focal point now that the Dodgers rotation took a hit last week as Walker Buehler was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained right flexor tendon.
His absence has naturally raised questions as to how the Dodgers starting rotation will remain afloat. May figures to be one potential answer, but president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said there still isn’t a clear picture for May’s return.
Make sure to follow Dodger Blue on Instagram! It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
