The Dominican Summer League is under way, and I'll review the roster once we're clear of the big draft stories (and also once it becomes clear who's getting the playing time).
On an otherwise quiet night, Jonathan Lee talked to Ti'Quan Forbes, who made himself interesting over the month of May by hitting .310/.348/.471. He's played all around the infield while cutting his strikeout rate from 27 percent to 15 percent from last year to this one.
Q. Describe your professional baseball journey.
A. "I went to Columbia High School in Columbia, Miss. I played baseball, basketball and football growing up. I ended up getting drafted for baseball (Forbes was voted as the best prospect in Mississippi his senior high school season), so I went with that. I was going to go to Ole Miss but got drafted instead in 2014. I got drafted by Texas, and ended up getting traded to the White Sox. It's a good organization, so I'm here, trying to get better. I have a great group of guys I'm playing with and (we) have one of the nicest ballparks out there, so I'm enjoying my time here."
Q. How has it been acclimating to a place (Winston-Salem) you have never been before?
A. "Coming out of Columbia, Mississippi, this looks to me like a big league stadium! The town is great, the fans are great. I'm lucky to be able to play here in High-A ball."
Q. What is it like playing with guys like Micker (Adolfo) and Blake (Rutherford). One day when all you guys are in Chicago, you can look back on Winston-Salem and say, remember when we were in Winston?
A. "I live with Blake here in Winston and I room with Micker on the road. Those guys are great. We play video games, always laughing, always having fun. We keep each other going, we all have each other's back, for sure."
Q. Is becoming a versatile player important to you?
A. "I've been playing 3B, SS, and 2B this season, so its good to play multiple positions, so it keeps me moving around, keeps me on my feet. I think that's something that could carry me into the big leagues."
Q. What motivates you every day, what are the biggest aspects of your game you feel you need to work on?
A. "When I go back home and think about where I've come from and this is where I am now, it's like, dang. (Baseball) is something I love to do, I try to come to the ballpark and learn something new every day. I just have fun, do my best, and play hard."
Q. What's it like playing for a Manager with the resume of Omar Vizquel?
A. "If you ever watch baseball, you know (Omar) won numerous Gold Gloves. He's a role model to so many of us, he's someone you look up to in the baseball world. For him to be my manager, I just take in everything and learn. I'm always asking him questions, always picking his brain, I got lucky."
Jacksonville 9, Birmingham 2
- Zack Collins doubled, singled and struck out twice.
- Eloy Jimenez's hit streak ended at 13 games after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Seby Zavala went 1-for-4.
- Jameson Fisher singled twice, walked and struck out.
- Tito Polo was 0-for-2 with a walk, HBP and a stolen base.
- Dane Dunning: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 1 WP.
DSL White Sox 8, DSL Padres 5 (10 innings, June 2)
- Jefferson Mendoza went 0-for-2 with a walk.
DSL Padres 11, DSL White Sox 2 (June 4)
- Jefferson Mendoza 1-for-2 with two walks.
