Brooks Hatch Blog: 2015 Knights’ MVP Madrigal Signs With ChiSox

Happy Tuesday, everyone, from the world-wide headquarters (WWHQ) of the Corvallis Knights, your 2016-2017 West Coast League champions!

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Infielder Nick Madrigal (pictured, above), our 2015 MVP and the No. 4 pick of the 2018 MLB first-year player draft out of Oregon State, signed a deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to MLB Network reporter Jon Heyman. Terms of the contract were not disclosed; the suggested signing bonus slot for No. 4 is $6,411,400.

Reports from Chicago indicate Madrigal will be assigned to Winston-Salem, Chicago’s affiliate in the high-A Carolina League.

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Remember, our eight-game homestand ends tonight when we host the Utah Marshalls on our annual Oregon State Credit Union Fireworks Night. It’s a 2Towns Tuesday, with special discounts on hard cider and $2 tacos. Note the special 7:15 p.m. starting time.

We are idle on Wednesday. We head to Bellingham for two games with the Bells on Thursday and Friday before hosting Victoria on July 7-9 in a rematch of the 2017 WCL Championship Series.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks returned alum Jimmie Sherfy (2011) back to triple-A Reno on Sunday after a brief stay in the majors. He gave up one run – the first of his major-league career – in his lone appearance, a two-inning stint against San Francisco on June 30.

The Cleveland Indians recalled reliever Marc Rzepczynski (2006) from triple-A Columbus on Sunday. They signed him as a free agent on June 18 after he was DFAed by Seattle on June 1.

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Monday’s crowd of 1,122 for our 5-4 win over the Mid-Valley Southpaws raised total attendance to 19,743 in 14 dates, an average of 1,412 per opening.

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Wisconsin (A Midwest, Brewers) first baseman KJ Harrison (2015) was 2-for-4 with a grand slam and four RBIs in a 9-3 win over Cedar Rapids on Monday night to earn Corvallis Knights Minor League Player of the Day honors. He played at Oregon State.

Honorable mention goes to:

• Delmarva (A South Atlantic, Orioles) pitcher Cameron Bishop (2015-16) threw seven innings of shutout ball and had five strikeouts in a 4-3 loss to Lakewood. He allowed four hits and lowered his ERA to 2.96, but was not involved in the decision. He played at UC Irvine.

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UC San Diego senior-to-be outfielder Zander Clarke of the Portland Pickles and Campbellsville senior-to-be pitcher Mikey Hooper of the Bend Elks were selected as the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player and Pitcher of the Week for June 25-July 1 by commissioner Rob Neyer.

Clarke went 15-for-26 (.577) with seven runs scored, three stolen bases, three  doubles, four home runs and 16 RBIs for the South’s first-place club, the Portland Pickles. Entering Monday’s action, Clarke is hitting .458 with six doubles, four homers and 19 RBIs.

Hooper tossed seven shutout innings at Wenatchee on June 28th to earn the win, as the Elks topped the Sox 5-0. Mikey allowed only two hits while walking none and striking out five. Hooper is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA for the season.

For more details, please click here.

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That’s all for today. Have a great week, and remember that today’s game starts at 7:15 p.m. See you at the ballpark tonight, and back here on Friday.