Three local pros poised for Minor League Baseball playoffs – Santa Cruz Sentinel

Three minor league baseball players from Santa Cruz County — Scotts Valley High alum Robert Hipwell and St. Francis alums Ruben Ibarra and Sahid Valenzuela — are poised to compete in the playoffs this week with their respective teams.

Hipwell, 22, a sixth-round draft pick by San Francisco in 2024, and the Single-A San Jose Giants host Inland Empire at Excite Ballpark on Sunday at 5 p.m. to open the best-of-three California League Championship Series.

Game 2, and Game 3, if necessary, take place Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino at 6:35 p.m.

Hipwell, a corner infielder and second-year pro out of Santa Clara University, batted .241 (84 for 349) during the regular season with 45 extra-base hits, 66 RBI, and 59 runs scored. He drew 67 walks and struck out 134 times.

San Jose beat Fresno 2-0 on Tuesday and 7-6 on Thursday to sweep the best-of-three North Division Series.

Ibarra, 26, a fourth-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2021, and the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts take on the host Birmingham Barons at Rickwood Field in Alabama on Tuesday at 5 p.m. to open the Southern League’s best-of-three North Division Series.

Game 2, and Game 3, if necessary, take place Thursday and Friday, respectively, at AT&T Field in Tennessee at 4:15 p.m.

Ibarra, a first baseman and fifth-year pro out of San Jose State, batted .235 (77 for 327) during the regular season with 37 RBI, and 48 runs scored. He drew 47 walks and struck out 102 times.

Valenzuela, 27, a 13th round pick by the Oakland A’s in 2019, and the Double-A Midland RockHounds take on the host Amarillo Sod Poodles at Hodgetown Stadium in Texas on Tuesday at 4:35 p.m. to open the Texas League’s best-of-three South Division Series.

Game 2, and Game 3, if necessary, take place Thursday and Friday, respectively, at Momentum Bank Ballpark in Texas at 5 p.m.

Valenzuela, a middle infielder and fifth-year pro out of Cal State Fullerton, batted .236 (76 for 322) with 13 extra-base hits, 28 RBI, and 39 runs scored. He drew 27 walks and struck out 54 times.