READING — Cornelius Randolph stepped up to the plate Wednesday in the most high-leverage of situations: two on, two out, 2-2 game, bottom of the seventh inning.
The first pitch was a fastball high. Randolph, wisely, didn't even think about swinging. The second one was more in his range. He belted a two-run double to the right-field corner.
The 21-year-old Reading outfielder and 2015 first-round pick by the Phillies wasn't doing that earlier this year, during a slow and painful transition to double A. Yet now he is, and consistently. It's been a long process, but despite being one of the youngest players in the Eastern League, Randolph has spent the last two months playing like one of the best, too.