Andy Wilkins has been on a tear for triple-A Charlotte since the All-Star break.
The former Arkansas infielder belted 10 home runs in a nine-game span, which included four two-home run games, two one-home run games and only three games in which he failed to homer.
However, it wasn't only power the first baseman had going for him. Including the game before the break, Wilkins had a 12-game hitting streak during which he batted .551.
His performance earned him back-to-back International League Batter of the Week honors, an honor he had earned only once before. Ironically enough, it came exactly one year before, when he hit five home runs in four games.
"That’s the closest I had ever been to that," Wilkins said. "(The streak) was something that I’ve never, ever experienced in my life. It was a lot of fun."
During the streak, Wilkins said he tried not thinking about it too much, but his teammates were always quick to give him his updated stat line, which can be described only as Ruthian.
The nine-game stretch had a stat line that looked like this: 22-for-39 (.564), four doubles, 10
Notable Hitting Streaks
This season, there have been six hitting streaks of 10 or more games by five different former Arkansas baseball players in the minor leagues.
Player (Level) - Stats
Kyle Robinson (Independent) - 20 games, 38-for-74 (.514 AVG), 7 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 15 R, 7 BB, 2 HBP, 11 K, .553 OBP, .838 SLG
Dominic Ficociello (A) - 17 games, 25-for-62 (.403 avg.), 1 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 15 R, 9 BB, 1 HBP, 15 K, .479 OBP, .565 SLG
Matt Reynolds (AA) - 14 games, 25-for-52 (.481 avg.), 2 2B, 1 3B, 7 RBI, 10 R, 9 BB, 13 K, .548 OBP, .558 SLG
Andy Wilkins (AAA) - 12 games, 27-for-49 (.551 avg.), 5 2B, 10 HR, 24 RBI, 17 R, 3 BB, 5 K, .577 OBP, 1.265 SLG
Matt Reynolds (AA) - 11 games, 19-for-42 (.452 avg.), 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 RBI, 8 R, 7 BB, 8 K, .531 OBP, .524 SLG
Brett Eibner (AAA) - 10 games, 12-for-41 (.293 avg.), 1 3B, 4 RBI, 11 R, 8 BB, 1 HBP, 8 K, .420 OBP, .341 SLG
home runs, 24 RBI, 16 runs scored, two walks and only four strikeouts. His slugging percentage was an unbelievable 1.436.
"I don't keep up with that stuff," Wilkins said. "I try to move on and focus on the next at bat, but after the 10th home run, it really kicked in that what I had done was pretty incredible."
Wilkins' 12-game hitting streak was snapped July 27 with an 0-for-3 day in a seven-inning road game against the Louisville Bats. He was on deck when the top of the seventh ended.
"I was hoping for extras," Wilkins said. "I was really aware. My teammates kept me pretty in the loop. It's one of those things in baseball. You're not going to get a hit every day; 0-fer days happen."
He bounced back with a 3-for-5 game the next day and, after a pair of games in which he went a combined 0-for-7, he ended the month with a 3-for-4 day.
In 27 games in July, Wilkins went 47-for-109 (.431) with 10 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 31 RBI, 25 runs scored, five walks and 18 strikeouts, earning him International League Player of the Month honors.
He entered the month with a .236 batting average, but raised it to .290 by the end of July. Wilkins also leads the International League with 26 home runs, 55 extra-base hits and 222 total bases this season. His 70 RBI are tied for the league lead and his .565 slugging percentage is second in the league.
Despite the recent hot streak, a call up to the big leagues is not a guarantee. The Charlotte Knights are the triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, who are led by superstar rookie first baseman Jose Abreu.
Abreu leads the majors with 31 home runs, 84 RBI and a .639 slugging percentage, is currently on a 21-game hitting streak and owns a .310 batting average, which is ninth in the American League.
When Abreu takes a day off, the White Sox have a pair of former All-Stars, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko, that can fill in at first base.
However, Konerko has already announced that he will retire after the 2014 season and rumors continue to swirl around Dunn's future, as he is signed with the White Sox through the end of this year.
Much like his hitting streak, Wilkins said he tries to keep all of that out of his mind and focus on the current season.
"It's something you think about, but not too much," Wilkins said. "I'm focused on finishing up the season strong and my numbers will speak for themselves. A call up would be a great thing, but I want to stay in the moment now."