Former Knights Outfielder Mitch Haniger Hits Way to Big Leagues.
August 17, 2016Sets Franchise Records in Big League Debut with Arizona
Left fielder Mitch Haniger made an unforgettable major-league debut last night when the former Corvallis Knights standout (2010) tripled, doubled and drove in three runs for the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 7-5 loss to the New York Mets at Chase Field in Phoenix.
The 25-year-old Cal Poly product became the first player in Diamondbacks history to drive in three runs in his MLB debut, and the first player in team history to have a triple as his first big-league hit.
"In minor-league baseball, you see a lot of crazy things happen," Haniger said afterward. "And I've seen a lot of crazy things happen the last couple years, so I definitely saw myself getting up here at some point.
"I don't think I would be here today if I didn't see myself in a big league uniform in my mind."
Haniger was recalled from triple-A Reno of the Pacific Coast League on Monday night, midway through the Aces game at Nashville. He flew back to Phoenix on Tuesday morning and was in the starting lineup that night.
Mitch struck out and grounded out in his first two at-bats, then slammed a two-run triple off Mets ace Noah Syndergaard in the sixth inning and then touched reliever Addison Reed for an RBI double in the seventh inning.
"[I was] just looking for a pitch up to drive with runners on first and third, trying to stay out of a double-play situation, get a ball up," Haniger said of his historic at-bat against Syndergaard in the sixth inning. "He threw me a slider, and I got extended pretty good," to deep right field.
Arizona Manager Chip Hale was extremely complimentary of Haniger, who hit .299 (40-134) with three homers, 18 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 38 games with the Knights in 2010 following his freshman season at Cal Poly.
"He looked good up there, every swing he took he was right on it," Hale said. "Just exactly as advertised from [Reno manager] Phil Nevin and everybody in the minor leagues. He knows how to play the game.
"He's really kind of put it together this year. Obviously his offensive numbers, he hit his way up here. His approach at the plate should carry over and be very successful.
"You kind of have to handicap everything with the PCL. But you look at what pitches they're swinging at and their swing path and it looks like he should be successful. But this is the toughest level and he's going to be facing the best pitchers in the world."
Haniger's parents, Walt and Judy, were at the game, as was his fiance.
"We were just hoping for a base hit tonight, just something to give him a little bit of confidence," Walt told an Arizona TV station late in the game after photographing a graphic of Mitch's photo and .500 batting average on the Chase Field scoreboard.
"We had to pinch ourselves all day: 'Is this really happening?'"
Added Judy: "It's something I've dreamed about since he was a 5-year-old boy. It's awesome."
Added Mitch: "I know my mom was probably pretty nervous so it was good to get her a hit. I was just looking for a good pitch to hit.
"That's been my approach and I just wanted to stick with that, whether it's in the minor leagues or the big leagues."
Haniger was the 2010 Big West Conference Freshman of the Year and the 2012 BWC Player of the Year at Cal Poly. With the Knights, he was first-team all-WCL and was rated as the WCL's No. 4 pro prospect by Perfect Game and the No. 5 pro prospect by Baseball America.
Tuesday's debut concluded a five-year climb through the minors for the Santa Clara, Calif., native.
After earning Big West Conference Player of the Year honors as a Cal Poly junior, he was selected in the first round by Milwaukee of the 2012 draft, and traded to Arizona in 2014.
Haniger played at Class A Visalia (California League) and at double-A Mobile (Southern League) in 2014 and 2015. He was not an every-day player at Mobile in 2015, so he asked to be demoted to Visalia, where he could start.
"Those are the kind of kids you like," Hale said. "It didn't matter where he was playing, he just wanted to play and get at-bats."
He started the 2016 season in Mobile but was promoted to Reno in June, where his career took off. Haniger hit .351 in 64 games with the Aces, with 18 doubles, 19 homers, 56 RBIs and an astronomical 1.134 OPA. He was named PCL Player of the Month for July, when he led all of affiliated baseball with 25 extra-base hits.
Including 55 games at Mobile, Haniger was hitting .325, with 24 homers, 32 doubles, and 86 RBIs, before his promotion.
"Everything we hear about him is great," Hale said. "I'm just excited to watch him play and see what he's got."
Haniger can play all three outfield positions. He started in center field today and went 1-for-4. Hale said he will receive ample playing time so the club can see if he figures in its 2017 plans.
Mitch became the third member of the 2010 Knights, and the tenth Knights alum, to play in a major league game this season.
Joining him in MLB from the 2010 club are Tampa Bay shortstop Matt Duffy and Detroit pitcher Matt Boyd. Pitchers Greg Mahle (2012, Angels), Matt Andriese (2009, Rays), Tyler Anderson (2009, Rockies), Josh Osich (2008, Giants), Marc Rzepczynski (2006, A's), Bud Norris (2005, Braves/Dodgers); and catcher Chris Stewart (2001, Pirates) have also played in MLB in 2016.
