Eloy Jimenez, Charlotte Knights struggling as they prepare to take on Durham Bulls
Those who thought that Eloy Jimenez’s entry into the Charlotte Knights lineup would have immediate returns have instead been forced to be patient.
Both the player and the team have struggled in Jimenez’s time in the minors. The Chicago White Sox outfielder, who won a Silver Slugger award at 23 years old, has been recovering in the minors after tearing his hamstring in late April.
He started a rehab assignment with Charlotte on May 28 that was paused soon after — he returned to the baseball field on June 21 after a two-week hiatus.
The 25-year-old’s first six games back have been underwhelming as he rehabs and recovers. He went 4-for-21 with no extra-base hits, no walks and six strikeouts in the Knights’ series against the Worcester Red Sox.
The team went 1-5 in the six-game set. The Knights were shut out in the first two games and had just one positive moment — a 12-2 win that was followed up by a 3-2 loss.
Next is a home contest against the in-state rival Durham Bulls.
KNIGHTS-BULLS SERIES AT A GLANCE
Charlotte has a stiff home test against the No. 4 team in the International League standings.
The Bulls are coming off a 4-2 series victory over Jacksonville and have had success against the Knights. The teams last met in late May, when Durham steamrolled the local team, winning five of six games.
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Durham Player to Watch
Pitcher Kevin Herget, who’s bounced around the minor leagues, has found a home in Durham. He’s started in seven of his eight appearances, pitching to a crisp 2.14 ERA. He’s struck out 44 batters in 42 innings while walking just four.
In his last start, a win over Jacksonville, Herget pitched five scoreless innings and struck out four batters.
Knights Players to Watch
2B - Yolbert Sanchez
Sanchez has been flailing at the plate. His batting average dropped by 12 points in the Red Sox series as he went 5-for-25 with no extra-base hits. He’s a key player for the White Sox, their No. 13 prospect and a former international signee, but he’s struggling mightily right now.
A strong series against the Bulls could set him up to turn around his season, during which he’s batting .277, but with just a .330 slugging percentage.
RF - Micker Adolfo
Adolfo is another player who needs to find his rhythm. Despite being signed as an international free agent in 2013, he’s just 25 years old. Just a year after he had a .831 OPS, his batting numbers have dipped.
Adolfo is batting just .242 this year with a .684 OPS. He went 3-16 in the last series and is on track for his worst statistical season since 2016.
P- Davis Martin
Martin last pitched in the Knights’ 3-2 loss against the Red Sox where he delivered Charlotte a much-needed four scoreless innings. It’s a solid bounce-back outing for a player who just got sent down by the big-league club and is looking to find his way back.
