Royals starting pitcher Jakob Junis knew Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor ages before the two faced each other in the Royals’ 6-2 loss at Progressive Field on Saturday.
They played together as high-school seniors on a wooden-bat tournament team assembled by former Rockies All-Star outfielder Dante Bichette. Lindor’s fellow 2011 first-round draft picks Jose Fernandez and second baseman Javier Baez were on the same squad. So was Daniel Vogelbach, who was drafted by the Cubs in the second round that same year and is now in the Mariners organization.
If that last name rings a bell, it's because Vogelbach broke up the no-hitter Junis flirted with on April 9.