Northwest League Wrap-up; Schwarber Slugs, Placido Dominates

Jun 15, 2013; Omaha, NE, USA; Indiana Hoosiers runner Kyle Schwarber (10) is tagged out in the third inning by the Louisville Cardinals catcher Shane Crain (41) during the College World Series game at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs may have shocked the baseball world by taking Indiana’s Kyle Schwarber with the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, but the 23 year old catcher left opposing pitchers stunned in his first week of professional baseball. Schwarber went 12 for 20 with four home runs, a double, and a triple in his first week for the Boise Hawks, Chicago’s Northwest League affiliate. That was his last week with the Hawks, though. While other first round draftees are still negotiating signing bonuses, Schwarber is being promoted and will report to Class-A Kane County tomorrow.

Trea Turner, the Padres’ first round draft pick, also made his professional debut, although it wasn’t particularly memorable. The NC State grade went one for four with a walk and a pair of strikeouts as his team, the Eugene Emeralds, fell to the Spokane Indians by a score of six to four. It’s been a rough start for the Emeralds, who fell to 0-4 on the season. As for Turner, he is a plus runner and an above average defender. His glove will carry him to the majors, but don’t expect a showcase of offensive prowess, even in short season A-ball.

With the best debut on the other side of the ball was Hillsboro’s Anderson Placido, who struck out 12 over five and a third shutout innings Sunday as the Hills defeated the Everett  Aquasox 3-0. Placido, 20, was originally signed by the Indians and pitched for them in 2012, before being released. The Diamondbacks quickly scooped him up though, and after a successful campaign (2.59 ERA, 3.1 BB.9, 11.3 SO/9) in the Dominican Summer League last year , sent him to Hillsborough for 2014. A six foot tall, 190 pound lefty, he’s not a prospect, not yet, but he will try to make a name for himself this summer in the Northwest League.

Off the field, the Hillsboro Hills’ ballpark has been renamed to Ron Tonkin Field, after the recently deceased car magnate and local celebrity. The news comes in the wake of a ten year, 1.5 million dollar agreement between the City of Hilsboro and the Ron Tonkin family of dealerships.