April “Knotables”: Part 1
The first month of the 2017 season is in the books and the Charlotte Knights wrapped things up with a win on the final day — 3–1 over the Clippers on April 30. Overall, the Knights posted an 11–11 record, including an impressive 7–2 record at home in April. Let’s take a look back at some “Knotables”.
Yoan Moncada finished the first month of the season hitting .314 (27-for-86) with 16 runs scored, four home runs, seven RBIs, and six stolen bases. Moncada, who entered the season ranked as Chicago’s top prospect, finished the month with a seven-game hitting streak. Over that seven-game stretch to conclude the season’s first month, he hit .367 (11-for-30).
Moncada is currently third in the International League in hits (27), second in runs scored (16), and tied for second in stolen bases (6). In the final
month of April, Moncada’s two-run single in the fifth inning led the Knights to a 3–1 win. A few other items of note during Moncada’s first month of the 2017 season include a .409 batting average when ahead in the count, a .429 batting average with two home runs in the first inning, and a .341 batting average in 11 games as the team’s number two hitter.
Reynaldo Lopez wrapped things up in the month of April with three consecutive solid starts — earning a win in each of the last two starts. Lopez, 23, went 2–0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last three starts. On April 30, Lopez allowed one run on three hits over six innings en route to his second win of the season.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Lopez also struck out 10 batters in a game on April 11 in Durham. He entered the 2017 season ranked as the number three prospect in Chicago’s system by Baseball America. Lopez was obtained by the Chicago White Sox on December 7, 2016 with Charlotte teammate Lucas Giolito and Dane Dunning from the Washington Nationals for outfielder Adam Eaton. Eaton was recently lost for the season with an ACL tear.
Carson Fulmer made a total of four solid starts during the month of April. Over his last two starts, Fulmer was sharp, which included back-to-back starts of six innings and just one run allowed. He has allowed just two runs over his last two starts (12.0 IP) and has held lefties to a .194 (7-for-36) batting average this season. Over his last seven starts, he has compiled a 2.37 ERA over 38.0 innings pitched. Over that stretch, Fulmer has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 32 hits while striking out 33 batters.
We’ll take a look at a few more players on Tuesday. Stay tuned!
