Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

Jonny Homza

The 19-year-old hit cleanup and played catcher the whole way, throwing out his first baserunner in this the third game of his second season in the minor leagues.

Homza, of South High fame, finished 0-for-3 but scored three runs in the second, third and ninth innings.

In the second, he reached on a third-strike passed ball. He was hit by a pitch in the third. In the ninth he was walked.

The former fifth-round MLB draft pick threw out a baserunner in the third inning, his eighth caught stealing in just 21 games behind the plate.

The 6-foot, 190-pounder has played 55 minor-league games, including 24 at third base, four at shortstop and two at second base.

In 2017, Homza was drafted by the Padres with the 138th pick – the second-highest selection by an Alaskan.

In his first year of pro ball, he played a team-high 52 games and finished among the team leaders in batting average, runs, doubles and total bases.

He is currently one of only two Alaskans playing professional baseball; he’s the lone everyday position player.