First Posted: 9/9/2014
Tunkhannock graduate Mike Papi is playing in the Midwest League Championship Series in his first season as a professional.
Papi, who signed with the Cleveland Indians organization in July after being picked at the end of the first round in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft, is playing primarily as a designated hitter for the Lake County Captains from Eastlake, Ohio. He also plays first base and the outfield.
After leading the University of Virginia to the championship game of the College World Series, Papi hit .181 in 41 games in his first season as a professional. He played in one game and got a hit in his only at-bat during the Midwest League semifinal series, giving him hits in four of his last five games and making him 5-for-15 during that stretch.
Papi made his debut in two games with Mahoning Valley in the short season New York-Penn League, going 2-for-9 with two runs and three RBI. He was immediately promoted to Lake County and the full-season Class A Midwest League.
At Lake County, Papi hit .178 in 39 games with three home runs and 15 RBI. He scored 21 runs, had four doubles and stole two bases.
The best-of-five Midwest League Championship Series moves to Lake County for Game Three Saturday and could extend through Monday, if it goes the distance.
