Local grads enjoying all-star seasons in minors

What do Kevin Newman, Connor Joe and Calvin Mitchell have in common now besides graduating from local high schools being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates?

Newman and Joe, who played baseball at Poway High, and Mitchell, who played at Rancho Bernardo High, are all playing minor league baseball and each earned berths in all-star games this season.

“I guess we learned all learned a lot more baseball than we thought we did in high school,’’ offered Mitchell.

Newman, 24, has switched from shortstop to second base for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians before making his all-star game appearance as the International League faced off with the Pacific Coast League team, July 11 at Columbus, Ohio.

He was 1-for-3 with an RBI out of the leadoff spot as the PCL took home a 12-7 victory.

Mitchell, 19, is a right fielder for the West Virginia Power, the Pirates’ Single-A team in the South Atlantic League.

His all-star game appearance was June 19 at Greensboro, N.C. He played six innings, got three at-bats and singled in the 9-5 win by the North against the South.

“No, it was not like any other game,’’ Mitchell said. “I enjoyed setting up on the edge of the infield grass before the game and signing autographs for the kids and ads, the Home Run Derby and the game was sweet.

“After what I did in the first half, I thought there was a chance I’d make the all-star game, but you’re never sure until you hear your name called.’’

Mitchell has made the transition from playing for the Broncos to being a professional ballplayer. He spent the last offseason living by himself in Bradenton, Fla., to work on his game a bit at the Pirates’ training facility.

In addition to his game, Mitchell adjusted his eating habits a bit.

“I try to keep the pizza to just once a week,’’ Mitchell said. “I’m cooking for myself, learning how to be self-sufficient.’’

His favorite new dish is salmon with asparagus.

Joe, 25, is now playing third base for the Oklahoma City Dodgers after being traded twice in 2017, starting the season with the Pirates before heading off to the Atlanta Braves, who later sent him to the Dodgers.

Having played second base at Poway, catcher at the University of San Diego and now first and third bases in pro ball, Joe fashioned a fine first half season at Tulsa in the Double-A Texas League. Joe hit .304 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs for the Drillers.

Having earned an all-star game invitation, Joe was forced to skip it because the Dodgers promoted him to Oklahoma City before the game.

“I wish I could have played in the all-star game, but I was not disappointed about missing it,’’ Joe said. “I was excited to get picked to be an all-star, but it made me much happier to be called up to Triple-A.

“There was about two weeks between the invite and being promoted, just enough time for my parents to have to rearrange their plane flights from Midland, Texas. for the game to my first game in OKC.

“Southwest (Airlines) made it all work, and I got my first Triple-A hit with them there.’’

Joe has continued his hot hitting at the highest minor league level. He’s batting .287 with five more homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games, giving him a .298 average, 16 homers and 48 RBIs for the summer.

Once this season ends, Joe will take a month off before he marries fiancé Kylie, whom he met while he was playing at USD.

“Every year is big for me,’’ Joe said. “I worked hard on my swing last offseason and I’m seeing good results.

“I’m just trying to be more aggressive in the batter’s box.’’