In an extraordinary display of raw power and precision, Tai Peete, the 18-year-old prospect for the Seattle Mariners, hit not one, but two grand slams in a single game. This remarkable feat was achieved during his time with the Single-A Modesto Nuts, making it even more notable that these grand slams were also his first professional home runs.
The Game-Changer
The back-to-back grand slams came in consecutive innings, propelling the Modesto Nuts to a nail-biting 12-11 extra-inning victory against the San Jose Giants. With Peete responsible for eight of the Nuts' 12 runs in the game, his performance was undeniably instrumental in securing the win.
Drafted 30th overall in July, Peete has been on a meteoric rise since his days representing the Southeast Region in the 2018 Little League World Series and playing on the Team USA circuit. After an impressive stint at the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, he was promoted to Single-A where he continues to make waves.
A Promising Start
Peete's transition to Single-A has been nothing short of spectacular. In his first three games with the Nuts, he managed to secure five hits, two of which were doubles. His ability to quickly adapt to the increased level of competition speaks volumes about his potential as a future major league player.
Recalling the Moment
Reflecting on his remarkable performance, Peete shared some insight into his mindset at the plate. "The first one, I saw [right-hander Luis Moreno] shook off, so I'm usually expecting something here. I got a good barrel to it," he said.
After hitting the first grand slam, Peete went up to bat again with a simple plan: "I was just thinking, 'base hit.' I don't want to do too much." However, in the back of his mind, he had a different idea. "'Swing out your shoes. Might as well. The time is now to do it. Might as well swing out your shoes.'" And swing he did, resulting in another grand slam.
"That's what I did, and my team had my back on it. It's a moment I'll probably never forget. … Nothing really compares to what just happened,” Peete added, reflecting on his unforgettable night.
Praise from the Dugout
Modesto manager Zach Vincej couldn't help but sing Peete's praises after witnessing his exceptional performance. "He's been awesome," Vincej said. "He's bringing a lot of energy for us. He seems like he's very in tune with what he needs to do at the plate. He has a good approach. He's the kind of guy that's going to find barrels and can put the ball in play. He's been fun to watch the last few days."
As Tai Peete continues his journey in professional baseball, his recent performance serves as a testament to his immense potential. It's clear that this young talent is one to keep an eye on as he progresses through the ranks.
