Hot Rod of the Day 4/12/14: Kean Wong

Apr 1, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A view of the glove of Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Hot Rods slide continues, as yesterday they dropped the opening game of a series with the Peoria Chiefs by a single run, losing by a 6-5 final.

However, for the second straight game, our Hot Rod of the Day, Kean Wong, was the bright spot offensively in the line up, and did everything he could in order to nearly ensure a Bowling Green victory.

Wong was a fourth round 2013 draft pick by the Rays out of high school in Hawaii, and his role in the organization was a bit unclear when he was drafted. The Rays got him as an infielder, and during the spring, played him at the hot corner, as well as placed them behind the plate. So far with the Hot Rods, Wong has been a solid second baseman, but is in the lineup day in and out due to his offense. At the plate, Wong has a short and compact swing, but has very good speed on his swing, which makes the ball jump off the bat, often times going for line drives.

Wong has an older brother who is with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Kolten Wong, currently with the Memphis Redbirds.

After going 3-for-4 with a run scored in the series finale against Burlington, Wong opened the Peoria series going 1-for-3 with a walk, but he came in to score twice, showing that he has added another element to his game – good base running.

Once Wong establishes a place in the line up (he was the DH in the finale versus the Bees, but played in the field yesterday), he might be able to find some consistency with reaching base. Although, most anyone would take 1-for-3 with a walk any day of the week.