Arizona State Slugger Joins Honkers
May 16, 2012
ROCHESTER, Minn. (May 15, 2012) -- The Honkers Baseball Club has added one more infielder to their roster in Arizona State University sophomore Michael Benjamin.
Benjamin, a 6’0”, 200-pound Queen Creek, Arizona native is enjoying a solid season thus far for the Sun Devils. In 31 games, Benjamin is hitting .354, the highest average on an ASU team that is ranked #19 in the nation, and he has also hit three homeruns and collected 21 RBIs.
On Saturday, May 12th against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Benjamin went 4 for 5 with a homerun and five RBIs to lead the Sun Devils to a 10-1 blowout win.
The former 45th round pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 2010 Major League Draft played in twelve games last year as a freshman and went 4 for 22 with a homerun and three RBIs.
Benjamin is the son of Mike Benjamin, a 13-year MLB veteran and current Sun Devil assistant coach.
Komatsu Claimed by Twins
May 10, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS (May 10, 2012) -- Former Northwoods League player Erik Komatsu is continuing his career in the major leagues after being claimed by the Minnesota Twins. Komatsu was put on waivers by St. Louis after just 15 games with the Cardinals.
The Twins claimed the Rule-5 Draft pick on Friday, May 4. Komatsu recorded his first hit as a member of the Twins on Monday, May 7. The hit ended the 11-inning hitless streak of Angels pitcher Jered Weaver. Komatsu's take-out slide on Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick also allowed the Twins Chris Parmelee to score from third for the first run of the game.
Komatsu also knocked in the first RBI of his major league career against the Angels on Tuesday, May 7, when he hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Trevor Plouffe.