The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

D’Shawn Knowles made his 2021 debut and Warren Saunders continued his efficient numbers at the plate in his current series in minor league baseball action.

Knowles, the Los Angeles Angels’ No.8 prospect, debuted with a single and stolen base for the Inland Empire 66ers the club’s Low A-affiliate, in their 1-0 loss to the Fresno Grizzlies.

Knowles singled to centrefield in his first at bat and went on to steal second in the same inning.

Both teams struggled offensively and took a 0-0 tie into the ninth when Fresno scored the go ahead run on a Mateo Gil RBI double.

Knowles last appeared with the Angels main club in Spring Training 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to baseball.

In the 2019 season Knowles spent time with the Orem Owlz and was named to the Pioneer League’s All-Star Game roster for their midseason matchup against the Class A Short Season Northwest League.

In 64 games, he hit .241 with a .310 OBP, .698 OPS with 61 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 28 RBI and five stolen bases.

“He can make hard contact to all fields from both sides of the plate, and even in 2019, showed an ability to work counts and draw walks. The Angels continue to encourage Knowles to use that plus speed more on the basepaths to become a threat to steal, something that improved at instructs, his MLB Pipeline prospect analysis said.

Saunders has been the most productive hitter in the lineup for the St. Lucie Mets thus far in their series with Daytona Tortugas.

Saunders has gone 5-9 as the team split the first two games of the series.

In game one Tuesday, he went 3-4 with a season high three RBI in a 14-9 loss. He followed 2-4 with another RBI in Wednesday’s 4-3 win.

The St Lucie Mets feature five of the Mets top 15 prospects in its farm system but Saunders has stood out hitting .277 with 18 hits, 11 RBI, a .365 OBP and .703 OPS.

Saunders last appeared with the GCL Mets in the 2019 season.

In 33 games, he hit .323 with a .783 OPS, 41 hits, 56 total bases, 20 RBI and scored 25 runs.