Daniel Palka
photo by Tim Evearitt
The Southern League has announced that Chattanooga Lookouts’ All-Star Daniel Palka has been named its Player of the Month for the month of June.
The Lookouts outfielder’s month got off to a great start when he slugged two home runs in back-to-back games against the Birmingham Barons. Palka followed that up with another outstanding week where he hit .345 (10-for-29) with seven extra-base hits, four HRs, 10 RBIs, a .931 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.306.
That impressive showing earned him the Southern League’s Player of the Week award for the week of June 6.
The slugger finished the month of June batting .302 with 13 home runs, 30 RBIs, a slugging percentage of .802 and an OPS of 1.174. His 13 HRs were tied for the most in all of minor league baseball this month while his slugging percentage was fourth.
On the year, Palka has a total of 20 homeruns, 61 RBIs and 39 runs. The outfielder now leads the Southern league in Home Runs, Slugging Percentage and RBIs and ranks in the top five in extra-base hits and total bases. His current pace projected over the full season (36 homers) would break the team’s single season home run record of 31, set last season by Adam Brett Walker II.
Palka and the Lookouts finished the month of June with a record of 17-9 in 26 games and look to continue their strong play tonight against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. LHP Stephen Gonsalves is on the mound for the Lookouts for his second Double-A start opposite Pensacola’s RHP Jackson Stephens.
Fans who want to see Palka and the Lookouts in action can come to AT&T Field on Monday, July 4th for the Lookouts Independence Day celebration with post-game fireworks. The homestand extends through Friday, July 8th against the Birmingham Barons. To buy tickets to the rest of the season’s games, call the Lookouts ticket office at 423-267-4TIX or visit Lookouts.com.