Jake Burger's promotion to Chicago opened up a corner infield spot in Charlotte, and Ti'Quan Forbes played well enough at Birmingham to seize the opportunity.
Forbes, a pro since 2014 when the Rangers drafted him in the second round out of Columbia High School in Mississippi, finally made his Triple-A debut seven years later. It wasn't clear whether he'd get the opportunity, as he appeared to be one of the players most harmed by a lost 2020, as he didn't get a chance to make up for a disappointing .242/.333/.327 season at Birmingham in 2019.
He rose to the level -- or the level fell to him -- this season. That puts him back on the track he set in 2018, when he posted career bests in most categories with Winston-Salem. This year's line looks like a logical continuation, albeit three years later:
- 2018 .273/.313/.391, 4.5% BB, 16% K
- 2021: .299/.356/.456, 5% BB, 28.1% K
The lack of a carrying tool remains an issue. He's played around the infield over his career, but mostly because he doesn't own any one position. His bat-to-ball abilities are playing up this time around, but a lot of his contact still ends up on the ground, so I'm not exactly sure what gets him to the majors. I suppose it also remains to be seen whether a move above would automatically bump him back down to Birmingham. For the time being, it's a nice reward for a little resilience.
Norfolk 2, Charlotte 1
- Luis González went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Yermín Mercedes was 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout.
- Ti'Quan Forbes made his Triple-A debut at first base, going 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Blake Rutherford had an unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance.
Chattanooga 3, Birmingham 1
- Romy Gonzalez went 1-for-3 with a walk.
- Micker Adolfo, 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Carlos Pérez was 0-for-2 with two walks.
- Blake Battenfield: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Greenville 11, Winston-Salem 1
- Yoelqui Céspedes went 2-for-4 with a homer, double and a strikeout.
- Yolbert Sanchez was 1-for-3 with a K.
- Lenyn Sosa, 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Luis Curbelo was 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.
Kannapolis 6, Charleston 4
- Jose Rodriguez had a big day: 3-for-5 with a homer, two doubles, three runs scored and three RBIs.
- Bryan Ramos was 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Luis Mieses went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- DJ Gladney was 3-for-4.
- Harvin Mendoza went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Caberea Weaver was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Chase Krogman, 0-for-3 with a walk.
