Cubs prospect Eloy Jimenez went full Roy Hobbs and smashed a home run into the lights
There may not be a more iconic movie image than when Roy Hobbs smashed a home run ball into the lights and rounded the bases as glittering sparks landed around him at the end of the "The Natural." During the Class A Advanced Carolina League's Home Run Derby on Monday night, Cubs prospect Eloy Jimenez replicated the move to the stunned "oohs" and "ahhs" of the crowd.
Just watch as the Cubs' No. 1 prospect blasts a ball to the lights in left field, with a tiny fireworks show emerging when the ball makes contact:
Here's another view to gaze at to really see the damage:
It's not a surprise that Jimenez pulled it off. Just 20 years old, Jimenez has a .546 slugging percentage with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans this year and MLB Pipeline says he earned "upside comparisons to
You can watch all of Jimenez's second round in the derby below:
First hand view of Eloy Jimenez during round 2 of the HR derby! Oh and btw...he SHATTERED a field light in left field.
Posted by Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Monday, June 19, 2017
Unfortunately, for all of Jimenez's Roy Hobbs-ian style, his light-shattering smash still counts as just one home run. So it was Brewers prospect Jake Gatewood who walked away with the title:
#Brewers No. 25 prospect @Jake_Gatewood2 wins the Carolina League Home Run Derby. He had nine jacks in the first half of this season. pic.twitter.com/ApHoUKzfz1
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 20, 2017