to further add to the Mitch Talbot story, which perhaps someone remembers:

2nd round by Houston traded straight up apparently to Tampa Bay in 2006 for Aubrey Huff. Traded to Indians for Kelly Shoppach.

Columbus completes the sweep and wins the Governor's Cup; behind 3 run homer from Zimmer, homer and double from series MVP Ka ai Tom and homer by Johnson.


DURHAM, N.C. -- One powerful swing was another example of Bradley Zimmer looking more and more like a big leaguer again.

The Indians outfielder -- more than a year removed from shoulder surgery -- hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning as Columbus captured its 11th Governors' Cup by completing a three-game sweep of Durham with a 6-2 victory on Thursday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.


Video: Columbus wins championship

"Big situation, I was ready and I wanted it," Zimmer said. "I got that one."

The Clippers broke a tie with Rochester for the most International League championships and became the second team to win four Governors' Cups in the same decade, denying the two-time defending champion Bulls a chance at that distinction. Columbus last won in 2015.

Zimmer has progressed through three Minor League levels during the past month while rehabbing. His homer came on a full count against reliever Aaron Slegers (0-1) and hit right above the 395-foot marker in straightaway center field. It was his first long ball in seven postseason games.

Video: Zimmer puts Clippers ahead

"That was the old him right there," Clippers manager Tony Mansolino said. "That's the first time we've seen catch up to a fastball like that."

Zimmer had surgery on his right shoulder in July 2018.


Gameday box score


"It has been a long year," he said. "[Winning a title] is fun, no matter what. Hopefully, I can go back up [to the Majors], take this winning momentum up there."

The Clippers had the best record in the IL this season and kept rolling in the playoffs by winning six of seven games. The run came amid significant roster upheaval.

"Good players," Mansolino said. "If you're going to have that many players come in and out, you've got to have good players to do this."

Winning the Cup was the best possible outcome for Columbus shortstop Andrew Velazquez, who began the season with Durham.

"I got one of those [with the Bulls from last year]," he said of a championship ring. "I want one of these."

Columbus starter Mitch Talbot walked the bases loaded in the second inning, but left fielder Ka'ai Tom made a diving catch to rob IL batting champion Jake Cronenworth of a hit to end the threat.


Tom went 2-for-4 with his third homer in four games and was named playoff MVP. "You go out every day to do your best and to contribute," he said, noting it's his first postseason individual award.

Talbot, a 35-year-old right-hander who began the season in independent ball, allowed one run despite issuing seven walks and giving up two hits in 4 2/3 innings. He pitched for the Bulls from 2007-09.

Durham grabbed its first lead of the series on Kevin Padlo's two-out RBI single in the third.

After Zimmer's shot, Daniel Johnson led off the seventh with his first playoff homer to stretch the lead to 4-1. Tom cranked an opposite-field two-run blast over the left-field wall later in the inning.

Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell made another rehab start for the Bulls and retired all six batters he faced, striking out three. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow on July 29.

Slegers, whose late-season work helped Durham reach the playoffs, gave up homers on three of the seven hits he allowed over 4 2/3 innings.

"He was our best pitcher down the stretch and he earned the right to be out there," first-year Bulls manager Brady Williams said. "The three-run homers are what did us in this series.They hit them and we didn't."

Jason Coats belted his fourth postseason homer leading off the bottom of the seventh for the Bulls, who stranded 14 runners. They loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but Jon Edwards came on and struck out Coats.

The homer Tom hit was a slider going down and away that he hit to the opposite field over the big monster wall of their. Was real impressive.

Zimmer, showing off that new upright batting stance of his that I just love, hit a pitch away to straight center as the article said.

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I never liked the looks of the scrunched over Zimmer. we now have a surplus of outfielders. good thing Puig is gone over the winter.
Well, perhaps,

First time EVER that Ka'ai got a notice on the BA Prospect Report. since he wasn't on the Indians Top 30 preseason he was shut out. But after his final big day he finally gets noticed. I have sent a Ka'si question to a BA chat. once again. Maybe they're now prepared at least to comment on him

Ka’ai Tom, LF, Indians. Tom was once again the catalyst from the leadoff spot for Triple-A Columbus as they beat Durham and won the International League championship for the eleventh time in team history. Tom laced a double in the sixth inning and came around to score on a Bradley Zimmer three-run homer. He then smacked a two-run shot in the seventh inning which helped put away the game for good. Since August 31, Tom is batting .405 (17-for-42) with five home runs and 10 RBIs.

BA answered today:

Elliot (Youngstown OH): Ka'ai Tom just completed a remarkable breakout season [after 4 years and 1 month of mediocrity], winning the MVP award in leading Columbus to a sweep of the Governor's Cup series. Is this 5-7 slugger for real?

Kyle Glaser: Tom is for real in the sense that evaluators think he’s a big leaguer, just more in an up-down utility role kind of way. The power isn’t expected to hold, but he’s got a good swing, he can run and he can play all three outfield spots. There’s some depth value there, for sure.

Jeff D (Alexandria): Hi Kyle thank you for making time for us. In regards to Ethan Hankins the 19 year old 1st rounder who made it to Full A ball. 18 Ks in his last 7.1 innings says a lot. Like most 6-6 19 year old SPs he needs to improve his control. But I was curious what are the scouts thinking about him after his first full season as a pro? Thanks!

Kyle Glaser: Hey Jeff, my pleasure. The initial impressions Hankins made on scouts was pretty positive. Big fastball with life, can spin a breaking ball, clean mechanics with a big, strong body. They see the starter look and the stuff to match.

[won't bother with my question I suppose; I think he's our top pitching prospect now; which only means vaulting over McSkinandbones

Wish they had brought up Tom instead of Zimmer!

Me personally, I’m anxious to see how Zimmer does with his new batting stance. Hope he gets decent playing time so I can get a look at him. Not like Mercado is tearing it up any more since league got a book on him. Down to .270/.319

Not much about our batting order has been ideal this year though. You have Lindor with 30 homers but only 70 rbi because Tito let’s him bat lead off. Ridiculous.

he LOOKS like a leadoff hitter.

Hard to argue about Jose this year due to his horrible start, but when those two are right they should be batting 2nd and 3rd in whatever order. Santana 4th.

Finding a guy to hit lead off that can get on base regularly would be the hard part. We've all been impressed with Mercado this year, but let's be honest, a guy with a .319 OBP and a 3 to 1 K to walk ratio shouldn't be hitting at top of lineup.

I'm hoping the new improved Zimmer might do it. So far in the minors this year Zimmer is hitting .372 with an OBP of .449. (Slugging 698 too)

HB - point made, and you know way more about our minors than I do.

But I wouldn't mind seeing Tom tried at leadoff either.

I wasn't actually make an argument against you, TFIR. Hell, I want to see them both. Just if it had to be one or the other I'd prefer to see Zimmer, but Tom has earned a look too for sure. But one in CF and the other in left.

Marlins claimed LHP Josh Smith off waivers from the Indians.
He will join the team on Monday against the Diamondbacks. The rookie made eight relief appearances for the Indians and registered a 5.40 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings.