The Charlotte Knights opened the season at home, winning two of three against a tough Memphis Redbirds' squad. Memphis took the opener 9-1 on Friday before an Adam Haseley two-run homer walked off a 5-4 win on Saturday in the bottom of the ninth. There was more late-game magic on Sunday as Zach Remillard scored what proved to be the game winner in the bottom of the eighth on a heads-up dirt-ball read of a wild pitch.
Here are some takeaways from the three-game set.
PITCHING: Improved
The stat lines may not have reflected it but Nate Fisher and Jesse Scholtens turned in solid starts. Then, in his first start of the year, Davis Martin gave up four runs in his first two innings before settling in and tossing three shutout frames. All three starters were dominant at times, commanding fastballs and landing breaking pitches fairly consistently.
Several relievers also had strong outings, including: JB Olson, Franklin German, Sammy Peralta, Tanner Banks, Kenyan Middleton, Lane Ramsey, Nicholas Padilla and John Parke.
It is all very encouraging.
OBSERVATIONS: Jake Burger at first base & team defense
The Knights’ defense looked very average the past two seasons but appears to be much improved in 2023.
Yolbert Sanchez filled in at third base when Jake Burger played first base in two of the games, and did so quite adeptly. Erik Gonzalez and Lenyn Sosa were solid in the middle infield, and we’ve already seen diving catches in the outfield by Victor Reyes and Jake Marisnik as well as an outfield assist by Reyes.
It was a rough opening weekend for Burger at first base, including breaking for a ball in the hole that he had no chance of getting and dropping a throw on a bang-bang play for an error. Fortunately, Burger redeemed himself with some solid plays at third in the series finale.
THE OFFENSE: Looking for power
The lineup appears a bit heavy on line-drive hitters. Fortunately, though, most of those guys are experienced, high-contact hitters, like Sanchez, Sosa and Remillard.
Power hitters include Burger, Reyes and Carlos Perez. Reyes is locked in and having a big impact on the lineup right out of the gate.
Replacing Mark Payton at the top of the batting order is Haseley. They are giant shoes to fill, but the former first-round pick of the Phillies looks up to the challenge. Haseley appears vastly improved from a year ago, following a strong Spring Training with two two-hit games, two home runs, a double and two stolen bases in three attempts.
NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
Justin Jirschele is running the team and the players couldn’t be happier. Not that they didn’t like Wes Helms and Julio Mosquera, but Jirschele has known several of the Knights’ players for years as both manager and players worked their way through the White Sox system together.
Still to be known is the division of labor for the Knights’ two pitching coaches, Donnie Veal and Matt Zaleski. Veal handled the mound visits over the weekend and both players stood beside the starting pitchers as they warmed up pre-game.
OLD FRIENDS ALERT
The Knights head to Columbus to battle the Guardians’ affiliate for six games. Included on the Clippers’ roster are former Knights Jason Bilous, pitcher, and catcher Zack Collins.
