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Fonteboa hammers three in Home Run Derby
Eight of the MINK League’s best hitters — including the Nevada Griffons’ Jesse Fonteboa — squared off against each other in a Home Run Derby prior to the 2021 All-Star Game Thursday evening at Vivion Field in Jefferson City.
Fonteboa, who entered the contest tied with teammate Alec Telles for the league lead in home runs with five, was one of four representatives from the South Division of the MINK League and, after the four from the North went first, ended up being the last participant in the opening round.
Chillicothe Mudcats slugger Greyson Barrett opened things up by shutting out Ike Book of the St. Joseph Mustangs, 6-0, before Taylan Mullins-Ohm of the Clarinda A’s advanced past Patrick Norton of the Des Moines Peak Prospects.
The Joplin Outlaws’ Calen Protrasky was the first South Division competitor to move on, after he edged out Braden McGinnis of the Sedalia Bombers, 3-2.
Hamilton Anderson of the Jefferson City Renegades was Fonteboa’s match-up in their bracket, and he launched four dingers before recording his 10th and final out.
Fonteboa recorded eight outs before blasting his first homer to left-center field, a feat he repeated on the very next pitch. After his ninth out, Fonteboa crushed another one over the left-field fence to move within one homer with one out left. His next offering made it all the way to the warning track but failed to clear the fence — eliminating Fonteboa from semifinal contention.
In the round of four, Barrett blasted four homers, only to be bested by Mullins-Ohm’s five. Anderson then advanced to the finals against Mullins-Ohm by out-homering Protrasky 3-2 with one out left.
Mullins-Ohm opened the championship with six dingers, and Anderson came within striking distance by parking five of his own — but a line drive into the outfield ultimately gave the crown to Mullins-Ohm (who has hit one home run in the regular season so far).