Smith's bat heats up
EASTLAKE, Ohio -- Willmar native Jordan Smith is wielding a hot bat so far in June, and was named the Cleveland Indians Minor League Player of the Week on Tuesday. The Indians farmhand raised his batting average 40 points between Friday and Monday.
In four games, the Lake County Captains' outfielder went 10-for-16 with five doubles in home games against the Western Michigan Whitecaps of Grand Rapids and the Fort Wayne Tincaps.
Smith's average zipped from .265 on the last day of May to .305 after Monday's 4-3 win against the Tincaps. His 53 hits include 17 for extra bases.
The streak coincides with a visit by his younger sister, Hannah, an All-American volleyball player for Ridgewater College who will be attending Mayville State (N.D.) in the fall.
She told her parents before flying to Cleveland that Jordan will be hitting .300 by the time I get back. His parents Fran and Rachel found the boast amazing.
Smith has hit in 10 straight games since May 26 and is tied for the 12th in the Midwest League in batting average (.305).
He has three home runs this season, along with nine doubles, five triples, 22 RBIs and five stolen bases.
Jordan, who turns 22 in a month, is in his second year of professional baseball. The Captains play in the Class-A Midwest League in Eastlake, Ohio. His former teams include the Willmar Cardinals, St. Cloud State University and the Willmar Stingers.
The Willmar native was the Indians' ninth-round selection in the 2011 MLB draft.
The Captains took shore leave Tuesday.
