Just one day after John Gant twirled a one-hit shutout over the Lexington Legends, the South Atlantic League has named the Savannah Sand Gnats righthander Pitcher of the Week.
Gant, the New York Mets’ 12th rounder in 2011, was five outs from a no-hitter in game one of Sunday’s doubleheader against Lexington. The Gnats (19-11/63-33) went on to sweep the doubleheader, winning the opener 5-0 and the backend 3-1.
Gant was terrific in game one, working his second seven-inning complete game shutout of 2014. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out eight to earn his 10th win of the season. He took the no-hitter into the sixth, when with one out, Lexington second baseman Carlos Garcia rolled a single through the right side of the infield, the only hit Gant allowed all day. He was trying to throw the first no-hitter by the Savannah franchise since 1989.
Although the no-hit bid had ended, Gant was focused on finishing the game and getting another win for the Gnats. "Everything happens for a reason," Gant told MLB.com of Garcia's base hit. "It would've been great, but it's just not a real no-hitter, I don't think. All I was focused on was getting the next two batters out, and that was it."
Gant’s first full season of professional ball has been stellar so far. He now sports 10 wins (second in the league) and a solid 2.76 ERA (fourth in the league). “It's just been a lot more fun here. Obviously, the competition is a little better and it's a little more taxing as far as the season goes. But I feel good right now and am enjoying how everything's going," Gant told MLB.com’s Sam Dykstra.
Gant was born in Savannah, Ga., and even after moving to Wesley Chapel, Fla., at the age of 11, he spent many summers in Savannah visiting his family and enjoying the low country marsh.
Ross Wilson of the Rome Braves was also named Player of the Week, hitting .500 with two home runs over his five-game span.
John Gant. Yet another pitching prospect (TINSTAPP alert). Speaking of which, another gem today from Marcos Molina in Brooklyn. Where are they going to put all of these guys at the upper levels. If I were a marginal pitcher in the upper levels of this system, I'd be getting my accounting degree online in my off days.
ReplyDeleteAlso in Cyclone-land today, Conforto goes 2-4 with his first pro extra base hit (a double) and Michael Katz (how's that for a guy who might otherwise be studying accounting?) went 4-4 with a double and is up over .300 for the season. This kid sounds like a masher, which is good, since the Mets' previous Jewish first baseman is now riding the pine in Pittsburgh. Katz should see Savannah as soon as Dom Smith is promoted, I would imagine.