Rice Baseball: 2021 MLB Owls update – May 1

The 2021 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls from this week.

Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

Rendon was activated from the 10-day injured list on April 27 and quickly returned to form. He hit safely in three of his first four games back, including a Saturday explosion with four RBI and a couple of extra base hits. He absolutely crushed the long ball into the left field stands.

https://twitter.com/bmags94/status/1388681573805924353

Through May 1, Rendon is hitting .269 with four extra-base hits, six walks and 10 strikeouts. His OPS is .762.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Duffey was credited with his first blown save on the season this week, allowing a line drive solo home run to the Indians’ Jose Ramirez on Monday. The Twins would lose the game in extra innings. His second out of the week was much better, a scoreless three-up, three-down inning with a strikeout against the Royals.

Through May 1, Duffey has a 3.38 ERA with a 1.500 WHIP. He’s averaging 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

Brock Holt – Texas Rangers

Holt has a quiet week at the plate before his former team came to town. Holt went 2-for-3 on Friday against the Red Sox, including this RBI single off former teammate Nathan Eovaldi.

Through May 1, Holt has 10 hits in 40 at bats, a .250 average. He’s walked eight times, struck out 11 times and collected four RBI.

Lucas Luetege – New York Yankees

Luetge participated in a bit of history in the Bronx this week, striking out all three batters he faced to help the Yankees tie a franchise record with 18 strikeouts in a single game. He appears to be settling in quite well in his return to the major leagues, tossing some unhittable pitches and making batters look silly.

Through May 1, Luetge has a 4.02 ERA with a 1.085 WHIP. He’s averaging 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings.