Tag: Kyle Higashioka

Frank Schwindel’s 35 MPH lob to Kyle Higashioka is the slowest MLB pitch to ever be hit for a home run

Not the way Frank Schwindel wanted to get into the MLB history books, that’s for sure.

Sunday was a rough one for the Chicago Cubs.

By the end of their afternoon bout against the New York Yankees, the visitors were leaving the Bronx with an 18-4 drubbing to their name. It was a tough day at the ballpark all around for the Cubs, but Frank Schwindel may have gotten the worst of it.

Schwindel’s usually the Cubs’ first baseman, but on Sunday he was tapped to pitch the eighth inning with how poorly Chicago’s bullpen was fairing. In his one inning of work, Schwindel allowed two hits and one comical home run to Kyle Higashioka that looked absolutely unreal.

The pitch that Higashioka took yard? A 35.1 MPH lob like you’ve never seen.

Not only that, the pitch was the slowest in MLB history to ever be taken for a home run. Seriously, look at that arc as it descends before Higashioka goes up to get it! You don’t often see that every day in baseball.

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Week 2 fantasy baseball start, sit or drop: Ohtani’s rollercoaster start and CJ Abrams kinda arrives

Shohei Ohtani just needed a few extra games to warm up. Trent Grisham, Patrick Corbin and Nick Pivetta still need a bit more time.

What a wild opening week for managers with Shohei Ohtani on their roster.

The two-way Japanese star offers plenty more rewards than risk in fantasy lineups, but for those who have to designate him as a pitcher or a hitter, the first matchup of the fantasy season initially left many thinking spring training ended too soon.

When the Los Angeles Angels gave Ohtani the ball on Opening Day, it seemed like the safer play would be to keep him in fantasy lineups as a hitter. The short spring meant he probably wouldn’t throw more than four innings and the visiting Houston Astros have a lineup that can make even the game’s best pitchers look like little leaguers.

So of course Ohtani went 4.2 innings with nine strikeouts, one walk, four hits and one earned run. At the same time, he went 0-4 at the dish with one strikeout. Ouch.

A week later Ohtani was back on the mound at the Texas Rangers getting shelled for six earned runs in 3.2 innings. He struck out five while allowing two walks, six hits and a home run. And in between those outings Ohtani slashed an anti-climatic .200/.231/.280 with 0 RBI and nine strikeouts. Double ouch.

How did Ohtani respond? First he gave his bat CPR. Then he launched three home runs in two games against Texas and busted the slump as only a reigning MVP can.

Yeah, he’s going to be just fine this season. Not that there was any doubt.

Here are a few other players with bigger question marks to begin the year and how to handle them.

All stats through Sunday, April 17