MiLB Player of the Day: Bernal Homers, Doubles for Memphis

THE CARDINAL CHRONICLE
Player of the Day: Leo Bernal Homers, Doubles for Memphis
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Leo Bernal gave Memphis the best offensive line in the system Friday night, even if the Redbirds could not turn it into a win.

Bernal is the Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day after going 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBIs and one run scored in Memphis’ 9-5 loss to Jacksonville.

His final line: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R

Bernal’s home run was his 14th of the season, and the two RBIs pushed him to 64. He also added his 18th double, giving Memphis one of its few steady offensive answers in a game where the Redbirds had enough power to stay close but not enough pitching to finish it.

Memphis hit three home runs on the night. Victor Scott II hit his second of the season, Thomas Saggese added his eighth, and Bernal joined the group with a home run of his own.

The Redbirds actually jumped ahead early, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding another in the third. They later scored in the sixth and ninth, but Jacksonville answered with a pair of three-run innings in the sixth and eighth to take control.

Bernal did his part.

He reached with two extra-base hits, drove in two runs and continued what has been a productive season at the Triple-A level. After Friday’s game, Bernal is hitting .278 with an .851 OPS, and his offensive profile continues to look stronger as the season moves along.

That matters, especially for a catcher.

Power from behind the plate is always valuable, and Bernal has shown he can provide it. The 14 home runs and 64 RBIs are not empty numbers. He has been a run producer in the Memphis lineup, and Friday was another example.

The loss itself was frustrating for Memphis. The Redbirds’ pitching staff walked 10 batters, and that is a hard number to survive. But in the middle of a tough second-half stretch, Bernal’s bat was still worth highlighting.

A home run.
A double.
Two RBIs.
Another strong night from one of the system’s top catching prospects.

That earns the spotlight.

Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day:
Leo Bernal, C, Memphis Redbirds
Final Line: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R 

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
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Photo Credit: Leo Bernal, Memphis Redbirds | MLB