Byron Buxton, possible No. 1 pick as a hitter, struck out 18 as a pitcher to win state title

By Aaron GleemanJun 1, 2012, 12:48 PM EDT
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Georgia high school center fielder Byron Buxton will be one of the top five picks in Monday’s draft and might go No. 1 overall because of his five-tool skill set that includes spectacular speed and a high-upside bat.

Oh, and a great arm too.

Buxton’s team made the Georgia state championship series and they turned to him as a pitcher in the decisive final game yesterday. And boy did he deliver, racking up 18 strikeouts in seven innings for a complete-game victory.

He can spend the weekend celebrating, become famous Monday night, and then get started on negotiating a $5 million-plus contract. Not a bad week for the 18-year-old.

Cavan Biggio hits for the cycle

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
By Bill BaerSep 17, 2019, 10:27 PM EDT
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Blue Jays second baseman Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle on Tuesday against the Orioles. Cavan, the son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, struck out in the first inning, but bounced back to hit a two-run homer in the third. He followed that up with a single in the sixth, a double in the eighth, and a two-run triple in the ninth.

Biggio is the sixth player to hit for the cycle this season, joining Jorge Polanco (Twins), Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Jake Bauers (Indians), Trea Turner (Nationals), and Jonathan Villar (Orioles). He’s the third member of the Blue Jays to hit for the cycle, joining Jeff Frye and Kelly Gruber. In case you were wondering, yes, Craig Biggio has also hit for the cycle. He did so against the Rockies on April 8, 2002. Craig and Cavan are the second father-son duo to both hit for the cycle, joining Gary and Daryle Ward, Sportsnet notes.

After Tuesday’s 4-for-5 performance, Biggio is batting .230/.361/.425 with 14 home runs and 42 RBI in 379 plate appearances on the season.