Normally when we talk about Cubs pitching prospect Porter Hodge around here, it’s about how he’s one of the breakout starting pitchers in the farm system.
The 21-year-old righty rose from Low-A to High-A at midseason, and his performance has only improved since then: 1.78 ERA over 35.1 IP at High-A South Bend, with a 32.6% K rate, a 10.9% BB rate, and just 0.51 HR/9. He is, as they say, A Guy.
This morning, sure, I wanted to acknowledge that he had another great start last night for the Cubs – 5.0 scoreless innings, 6 Ks, 1 BB, 3 H – but mostly I wanted to share the RIDICULOUS double-play he started amidst his outing:
Tonight's @LavenInsurance Defensive Play of the Game came courtesy of Porter Hodge on one of the most nifty twin killing's you're ever going to see! 🤩#SCtop10 @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/9EKi8Hkk1i— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) September 1, 2022
With his back foot, Hodge kicked the ball OUT OF THE AIR, turned and located it, caught it, and then threw to first for the double-play.
How much of that was intentional? Oh, I’m not sure. Can we just say he’s a star hacky sack player and it was all intentional?
The big question now is, who did it better? Hodge’s kick save, or the one current big leaguer Javier Assad pulled off a few years ago at Myrtle Beach:
Congratulations to former Bird Javier Assad who will make his MLB debut for the @Cubs today! @javierassad1 started 22 games Pelicans in 2019.
We can vouch for his defense, too. 😉 pic.twitter.com/NCXPPHF9BN— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) August 23, 2022
