LB In MLB: Three Local Boys Hit Meaningful Show Homers

A trio of Moore League baseball alums have hit very meaningful Major League Baseball home runs in the last week.

JP Crawford hit his first career home run into the second deck of Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday. The Philadelphia Phillies shortstop started the season with a 1-for-25 hitting slump, but has been working hard.

“Me and [hitting coach John] Mallee have been putting in a lot of work in the cages before the game to prepare,” Crawford told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. “Just to finally see some results, it’s a good feeling.”

Crawford’s home run was registered at 105.2 mph, according to MLB Statcast.

NBC Sports Philadelphia on Twitter

J.P. Crawford absolutely crushes one for his first career HR! Phillies lead it, 2-0. https://t.co/WKkqkgnlhZ

“I don’t really remember it,” Crawford told Zolecki with a smile. “I kind of blacked out. But it felt good. I felt short, quick to the ball and put a good barrel on it.”

The Lakewood High alum pointed to the sky on his way home, and explained in an Instagram post that it was for his late high school teammate Tyler Leidholdt, who passed away this year.

Aaron Hicks returned from the disabled list with a bang for the New York Yankees with weekend. Not only did the Wilson High alum hit an inside-the-park home run in the second inning on Friday at Detroit, Hicks also hit another crucial home run in the sixth inning of a 8-6 victory. He is the first Yankee to hit an inside-the-parker and one over the fence in the same game since 1956.

YES Network on Twitter

Sometimes, keeping it inside the walls works too…it’s an inside-the-park two-run homer for Aaron Hicks! #YANKSonYES https://t.co/6WK4PjQ0FB

Hicks spent time on the DL last year, and told the NY Post last week that he didn’t think the recent rib injury wasn’t going to be that serious, but that’s he’s trying to find different ways to stay healthy.

“I was not excited about going on the DL but now it’s in the past,’’ Hicks said. “I try to be more flexible and really focus on my stretching and try to be loose every time I go on the field.”

Matt Duffy was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in a surprise move, and missed all of last season with an injury, but last week in Boston the Lakewood High alum hit his first home run since August 28, 2016.

Duffy told Sporting News earlier this month that he’s not trying to replace fellow Long Beach State Dirtbag Evan Longoria at third base. Longoria was traded to the San Fransisco Giants, who traded Duffy.

“We’re totally different players,” Duffy said. “I’m not going to try and be the best Evan Longoria. I’m going to try to be the best me. That’s kind of my approach every day.”