If Chris Dominguez ever makes the roster of the San Francisco Giants, local interest in Major League Baseball will likely improve significantly.
When Mingo got drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2008, he was among the most popular UofL baseball players ever. Good natured and affable, the 6-foot-5 right-hander was a powerful hitter, a crowd magnet at Jim Patterson Stadium.
In two seasons as third baseman, Dominguez had 36 home runs and drove 136 runs across the plate. He once hit three home runs, including a grand slam, in a game. He was an integral part of UofL’s first College World Series team in 2007.
Since being drafted, he has played for six teams, starting at the Rookie League level, working his way up from Class A to Class AA with Richmond. He moved to Triple A mid-season last year to the Fresno Grizzlies in the Pacific Coast League.
This season with the Grizzlies, Chris was batting .278 after 69 games through Sunday. with 22 extra base hits, including nine home runs, and 33 runs batted in. He has a slugging percentage of .477. His team is currently in fourth place in the league’s Pacific Southern Division.
While remembered at UofL for all those home runs, he also led the team in striking out, a challenge still with him. Mingo is currently batting eighth in the lineup.
So close yet so far from a shot at the Major Leagues.