VIDEO: Royals Prospect Malcolm Van Buren Strikes Out 5 Batters in 1 Inning
By Mark Powell
Yes, you read that correctly. While Kansas City's Rookie League affiliate, the Burlington Royals, only registered three outs in the 7th inning (duh) of their battle against Elizabethton on Wednesday night, pitcher Malcolm Van Buren was lucky enough to pad the stat sheet and make headlines. Van Buren recorded five strikeouts in the inning due to his catcher dropping the third strike on several occasions. The last K got Burlington out of a bases-loaded jam of their own creation.
Here's the moment that Malcolm Van Buren made history for @BRoyalsKC.
— Brandon Ross (@BrandonRoss99) August 1, 2019
He had 4 Ks in the inning from a pair of dropped third strikes. With two outs and the bases juiced, he gets #5.
My call of the event. S/o to @ETwinsBaseball broadcaster @BadderUpSports for the video.@MiLB pic.twitter.com/KKurULAAwU
Van Buren, of course, was only focused on getting his team out of the inning, rather than his own personal glory.
"I didn't realize that I struck out five guys in an inning until I walked back to the dugout," Van Buren said following the game. "I didn't really realize how good that was until I sat down and relaxed."
? FIVE-STRIKEOUT INNING ?#Royals prospect Malcolm Van Buren notches 5⃣ K's in one frame for @BRoyalsKC.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 1, 2019
?: https://t.co/HTuGmnAWbD pic.twitter.com/fyqER1H6YN
Van Buren is still working through some kinks and developing in the Royals' system, and this performance could be a turning point for the 2016 31st-round draft pick as he aims to make an impression on the organization.