MLB Alumni Weekly Recap: 4/6 - 4/1204/13/2023 8:24 AM Article By: Michael Lane Kyle Freeland Thriving in Coors Coors Field is notoriously a difficult place for pitchers to succeed, but so far this season Kyle Freeland (Hyannis ‘13) is doing just that for the Rockies. Freeland made two starts at Coors last week, allowing just two earned runs over 12.2 innings and striking out five batters in each start. Freeland has a 0.96 ERA through three starts this season. Despite the Coors Effect, Freeland previously finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting during the 2018 season. Adley Heating Up Adley Rutschman (Falmouth ‘18) is red hot at the plate. During the Orioles six games last week, Rutschman slashed .526/.654/.895 with two home runs and four RBI. Since 1999, only two catchers have won the MVP award, Joe Mauer in 2009 and Buster Posey (Y-D ‘06/’07) in 2012. It’s early in the season, but Rutschman has a serious chance to be in the conversation for AL MVP in the near future. In his second season at the major league level, Rutschman appears to be reaching his ceiling early. Corbin Burnes Bounces Back Corbin Burnes (Orleans ‘15) started the season slow, allowing 10 runs over 9.1 innings in his first two starts of the season. In his third start Tuesday night, Burnes pitched like the Cy Young candidate he is. Burnes threw eight scoreless innings, striking out eight batters, and allowing just three hits. The Brewers as a team have started off the season strong, sitting in first place in the NL Central. Alec Bohm’s Loves This Place Due to injuries suffered by Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins (Falmouth ‘13), the Phillies lineup will need some guys to step up and contribute in larger roles. Alec Bohm (Falmouth ‘17) is doing just that so far this season. During the Phillies six-game homestand last week, Bohm hit .320 with two home runs and eight RBI. As a whole, Bohm is slashing .333/.388/.578 on the season. Bohm appears to be finding his stride at Citizens Bank Park and could be a key piece for the Phillies in 2023. Weekly Walk-offs Three Cape League alumni had walk-off hits this week for their respective teams. Bryson Stott (Wareham ‘18) was the first, with a walk-off single Saturday against the Reds. Stott’s single finished off a ninth-inning comeback for the Phillies, after they entered it trailing 2-0. Sean Murphy’s (Orleans ‘15) first home run as an Atlanta Brave was a two-run walk-off home run Monday night. The walk-off home run came on the first pitch, after the Braves had fallen behind 4-3 in the top half of the ninth. Nico Hoerner (Y-D ‘17) had his first signature moment with the Cubs, delivering a walk-off single Monday night that sent Wrigley Field into a frenzy. His postgame interview, with Go Cubs Go playing in the background, is a must-watch video.
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