DENVER – For Brennen Davis, hitting around Coors Field was a huge opportunity to shine on offense, very different from the parks he usually plays in.
“Currently I play in Knoxville, Tennessee,” said the outfielder of the Chicago Cubs affiliate in category Double A. “It is evident.”
The 21-year-old hit two home runs and was named the MVP in Sunday’s 8-3 NL win over the American in the Future All-Star Game.
Cuban José Barrero, from Cincinnati; Michael Toglia, from Colorado; and Francisco Alvarez of the Mets also hit home runs in the young talent showcase game at Coors Field, which at 5,186 feet is the highest in the majors. The home run derby will be held there on Monday and the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
Barrero played 24 games for the Reds last year under the name José García and changed his name in May in honor of his mother, who died of COVID. The 23-year-old Cuban hit a solo home run in the first inning when he hit a fastball by Cole Winn of Texas, who took the loss.
Last year’s edition of the Future Stars Game was canceled, like all minor league seasons, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the start of the current minor league campaign was postponed for a month until May 4. Many prospects resented it.
“My body is still not used to playing,” said 22-year-old infielder Jeter Downs of Boston affiliate Triple-A, who hit a two-run double off Ethan Small of Milwaukee in the seventh and final inning. . “I still feel like I have a long way to go.”
Toglia, a 22-year-old player who plays for Class A Spokane and familiar with Coors Field from his time with the Rockies system, was cheered on by many of the 49,012 fans in attendance, by far the largest crowd before him. who has played.
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