Tag Archives: Tony DeFrancesco

Houston Astros Farmhand Lucas Harrell Gets His First Hit In Eight Years

Just like in the major leagues, minor league pitchers from American League affiliates don’t hit, instead a designated hitter bats for them. So what happens when after eight years in an American League organization, a pitcher suddenly finds themselves playing for a National League team? Houston Astros farmhand Lucas Harrell can provide the answer. Harrell was claimed off waivers by the Astros earlier this months after being let go by the Chicago White Sox, the team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. Harrell was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and found himself immediately inserted into the batting order for the first time since high school. After three games Harrell finally got his first hit. In the story Harrell talks about batting in a game for the first time in nearly a decade and the help he’s gotten from Redhawks manager Tony DeFrancesco in relearning how to hit.

RedHawks’ Lucas Harrell learning how to swing a bat all over again — NewsOK.com