Hold My Log - 57.45 - Gaajlimitz Breaks Record

[7teen]

The record breaking watch began at the start of August and has concluded with history. Mynorli Gaajlimitz entered August needing 42 hits to break the Short-A season single season hits record. He entered the last 5 games of the Antigua Tikis's season needing 8 to tie the record and 9 to break it.

After going hitless for the first time all week in a home opener against Coxen Hole that left Gaajlimitz shy with those 5 games remaining, som worried. Most rejoiced because they knew Mynorli couldn't be held down for the long. The most disappointing part of that hitless opener was many fans had hoped to see the record at home, knowing Antigua had a 3-game road trip to conclude the season. In the final two games against Coxen Hole, Gaajlimitz went 2-4 in both contests, adding a pair of singles in the second contest and a double and a single in the finale. It meant going on the road needing 4 hits in the final series La Paz to tie the record.

Gaajlimitz got to work in the opener adding another pair of singles to his total and going 2-4 putting him 3 shy. In game 2, he gave the fans what they came to see. Gaajlimitz led off the game with a single between third and short (2 away). He later scored the first run of the game. He led the top of the 3rd inning off with yet another single, this time between 1st and 2nd (1 away). This hit tied him with the league record.

The record breaking hit came in the 5th, he yet again led the inning off and again laced a ground ball up the middle past second base. A brief celebration was had that included retrieving the ball and tossing it into the Antigua dugout. Gaajlimitz tipped his cap briefly and the game went on. It is Short-A by the way.

In the top of the 6th, unlike the previous at-bats, Gaajlimitz fell behind in the count. Facing an 0-2 pitch, Gaajlimitz hit a mirror image ground ball up the middle to his previous at-bats that found its way past the second baseman and into centerfield for hit #139. In the top of the 8th inning, a chorus of boos rang from the La Paz crowd. Not because Gaajlimitz came back up to the bat, but because the La Paz manager opted to intentionally walk Mynorli. But fans would be pleased to know Mynorli got one more plate appearance in the 9th inning, where, you guessed it, he ripped a single passed 1st and 2nd for another hit.

Gaajlimitz ended this record breaking night going 5-5 with 5 singles and a walk. The singles were registered as having exit velocities of 102.5, 95.6, 103.1, 103.8, and 107.5 respectively.

In the finale of the season, Gaajlimitz tacked on 3 more hits to finish the season with a record breaking 143 hits.

"He was a pleasure to coach this season" commented Antigua manager Wilson Rodriguez. "He was a man against boys down here. Which is funny to say considering he's still just a 17 year old kid. But that kid is going to be something to watch as his career unfolds. I've never seen anyone hit the ball so hard on the ground as he does. It wouldn't surprise me if he breaks some records in the BBA in the future as well."

Gaajlimitz not only broke the single season hits record but he also surpassed the total of singles hit in a season. The previous record was 104 held by Juan Soliz. Mynorli roped 124 singles this season. His other 19 hits included 13 doubles and 6 homeruns. HIs .453 batting average this season ends the year as the 4th best single season average in Short-A history.

[Lane]

exciting player for sure

[7teen]

exciting player for sure

If he develops like his potential, it'll be a fun and an interesting comparison between him and Dusty Rhodes. I don't recall Rhodes' potentials being quite as high as Gaajlimitz's are. And it seems Dusty's GAP was lower all along. I know it says 2 now but I don't think it was ever much higher.

[Dington]

Hard to believe a unicorn like this fell so far in the draft.

[RonCo]

I could have seen him #1. But then, I could have seen several players #1.