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MLB debut: Toronto Blue Jays Rowdy Tellez leads week’s debuts

By Benjamin Chase

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 6: Rowdy Tellez #68 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a double in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Cleveland Indians at Rogers Centre on September 6, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 6: Rowdy Tellez #68 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a double in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Cleveland Indians at Rogers Centre on September 6, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Blue Jays
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 05: Tampa Bay Rays Catcher Nick Ciuffo (19) chases a wild pitch during the regular season MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays on September 5, 2018 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Hitters

Part of the biggest August deal this year, Abiatal Avelino was picked up by the Giants from the Yankees in the Andrew McCutchen deal. He made his debut on Saturday and had two plate appearances, going 0-2 with 2 strikeouts.

In the Rays system since being taken in the first round in 2013, Nick Ciuffo has worked hard to earn his debut this past week with the team. While he finished his debut 0-4, he had a very solid first week, hitting .308/.375/.538 over 16 plate appearances with a home run.

On his third organization, Ryan Cordell has been a desired commodity along the way since being drafted in the 11th round in 2013 out of Liberty University by the Texas Rangers. He made his debut for the Chicago White Sox on September 3rd as a pinch runner, scoring a run. He made a start the next day, picking up an RBI, meaning he had a run scored and an RBI without having ever officially being on base by his own doing! He finished the week 0-9.

One of the best outfield defenders in the minor leagues, Jonathan Davis worked his way up to the major leagues after being acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays. He made his debut on the 5th, going 0-3 with 3 strikeouts, and he has appeared in 4 more games, all as a defensive replacement.

Another very athletic Cincinnati Reds minor league outfielder, Gabriel Guerrero was brought to the majors after hitting .293 this season between AA and AAA. He made three pinch hitting appearances thus far, striking out in all three.

Brought up to fill a role on the bench, Angels catcher Joe Hudson made his debut on Saturday, picking up an RBI on his one at bat.

Originally a second round pick out of UCLA, Kevin Kramer has struggled to live up to the expectations of him. He made his debut on the 5th as a pinch hitter, and on the week he went 2-5 with a run and an RBI.

With plenty of hyped as the 14th overall pick in 2013, Reese McGuire was watched for years, but he didn’t quite pan out as expected, though he did make the major leagues this season with a solid backup profile. He picked up a double in his debut on the 6th and finished the week with a .333/.429/.500 line over 3 games.

After challenging all season long for the International League home run title, the Tigers finally called up outfielder Christin Stewart. He made his debut Sunday as a pinch hitter, going 0-1 against the Cardinals.

After being taken in the 3rd round in 2015, Blake Trahan made it up to the majors 2 days before his 25th birthday with the Cincinnati Reds. He hit .245/.327/.302 in AAA this season with good glove around the infield. His first game was on Monday, September 3rd, and he went 1-3. On the week, he finished with 5 games played, 6 plate appearances, going 2-6 and scoring a pair of runs.

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