The Chattanooga Lookouts (10-11) begin a six-game series at AT&T Field against the Birmingham Barons (9-12) on Tuesday.
Here are six things to watch going into the matchup of Double-A Southern League teams:
1. Hurtubise or Hercules?
Chattanooga left fielder Jacob Hurtubise came into the season with just one home run over his collegiate and minor league career, a total of 1,060 at-bats. Through his first 52 at-bats in 2023, the left-handed hitter leads the Lookouts with three home runs, 11 RBIs and six stolen bases in as many attempts.
Hurtubise’s .449 on-base percentage is fifth in the Southern League. The former Army player has also been hit by seven pitches, which leads the league, after being plunked 12 times last season in just 194 plate appearances with Chattanooga.
In 2019, he set school records at West Point for most runs (71), walks (69) and stolen bases (45) in a season. He holds the Patriot League career record for walks and stolen bases.
2. Former Vols lefty will pitch for Barons
Garrett Crochet was cleared to begin his rehab assignment Sunday with Birmingham. The 11th overall pick of the 2020 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox is just more than a year removed from Tommy John Surgery.
The flamethrowing left-hander pitched in college for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2018-20.
Crochet threw a perfect inning in relief Sunday in a 3-2 home win against the Tennessee Smokies. It was his first minor league appearance after earning a spot on the big league roster out of his first spring camp in 2020. In 60 1/3 career innings for the White Sox, he has 65 strikeouts and a 2.82 ERA.
3. Electric stuff
While the Andrew Abbott show has come and gone — the Chattanooga southpaw is now with Triple-A Louisville — the Lookouts still have some must-see starting pitchers.
Connor Phillips stood out in spring training with the Cincinnati Reds. Out of 500 pitchers who threw at least 10 pitches in an MLB camp with pitch tracking cameras running this spring, Phillips’ Stuff+ — a metric that compares pitches — rated fifth, just one spot behind the Atlanta Braves’ Spencer Strider, the runner-up for National League rookie of the year in 2022.
Phillips’ fastball averages more than 97 mph, while he and teammate Joe Boyle are a threat to crack triple digits on the radar gun. The two Chattanooga starters have combined for 57 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings this season.
4. May the 4th be with you
Fans are welcome to come to the ballpark dressed in their favorite Star Wars attire on Thursday, May 4, for Star Wars Night. The Lookouts will also be decked out in black-and-red jerseys with the Death Star on the front as part of the theme. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m.
5. McAfee’s great start
First baseman Quincy McAfee leads the Lookouts with a .311 batting average and eight extra-base hits in just 45 at-bats. His .466 on-base percentage is third in the Southern League.
6. Fisher tough to hit
Lookouts left-handed reliever Andy Fisher has allowed one hit in 10 1/3 scoreless innings in 2023. He is tied with Pedro Garcia for the team lead with two wins, and the two have combined for 32 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.
Chattanooga’s 289 strikeouts as a pitching staff are 46 more than anyone else in the eight-team Southern League.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.