Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Brian Dinkelman Leading New Britain Rock Cats Playoffs Chase

He doesn't have an overpowering presence, but if you follow the RockCats you know his strength.

The 5'11" versatile player leads almost every category on his team this season and plays several positions, making him a highly valuable prospect to the Minnesota Twins.

"I've just been more consistent this year," he said before Sunday's doubleheader against the Trenton Thunder.

This season in 121 games played and 428 at bats, the 26 year old has a team-leading 127 hits, 36 doubles, 52 walks and a .386 on base percentage.

He has the ability to play several positions and manager Tom Nieto sees him as a guy who can do a number of things to help his team win.

"I would say Dink has been our most important player this season. We've asked him to do so many things and he's done whatever we've needed of him."

He's played outfield and infield positions, all with success.

"It seems like lately it's been the outfield the last month and a half that's all I've been playing," Dinkelman said. "I'm comfortable in any of position, it doesn't matter to me."

He was the Twins 8th round pick in 2006 and last season he was named to the Florida State League All-Star team. He spent part of last season there, and part of it with the RockCats where he finished the season hitting .293.

"I've just been more consistent than I was last year and not giving away at-bats. I don't press to do too much, which has helped me this year."

His natural ability and improved skills are undeniable, but Dinkelman knows that he has to keep his focus down the stretch.

"I need to work on keeping the same mental approach through the whole season," he said.

In the off-season Dinkelman will be focusing on the fielding aspect of his game more than anything.

"I'm going to work on my outfield ability since I'm starting to get a lot more time out there."

There seems to be no doubt he'll get a lot more time doing many things on a baseball field in the near future.

Minor League Players Need Another Kind Of Development

The minor league season winds down, and I'm issuing a report card of sorts.

No, this isn't about stats or player performance.

It's about maturity and respect, particularly the kind players will and will not give when a reporter is in the clubhouse. And, more to the point, a female reporter.

I find most of it funny. Even, oh, I guess charming. It's sort of adorable how much silly stuff they can come up with.

But there is such a thing as crossing the line and I've been there too. I've said this before and I have to say it again: I've had mostly great experiences in my profession. The bad has not outweighed the good, not by a long shot. Having said that, I think there's still room for improvement, but I'm not exactly sure how that happens.

Here's how it breaks down: if the Trenton Thunder were Yankees right now, they'd have that part of the growing process down. They are true gentlemen. They are respectful, even when having some fun with me. They are never unprofessional or rude and have made me feel comfortable at all times. I can say the exact same thing for the Reading Phillies.

The same can't be said for a couple of teams in the Eastern League, a league I've covered since I began my career five years ago. I won't name names. It's not how I roll.

Let me state one thing for the record to all my darling baseball players: no, I do not want to see you naked. The clubhouse is my workplace, which I think is very hard for players to understand. I'm there thinking about the editor who wants me to have a good story. Or the readers who tell me I haven't given them the information they wanted and can I please tell them what they really feel they need to know. I'm thinking of the clock on the wall that tells me I have ten minutes left to get five good quotes. I'm anxious about being around when you guys are undressing or just out of the shower. I don't belong there. I'm trying to get the hell out of there as quickly as I can.

I understand that minor leaguers are still maturing as men, as much as players. I've never taken that for granted. I know I'm walking through the fire being there and I can take it.

But I also know that there are players who won't make excuses and would never treat female reporters like that, just because they think they can.

To those players who've treated me that way this summer when visiting Waterfront Park: look to the Thunder, because even if they don't win the championship this season, they're acting like champions. Even if they aren't yet Yankees (and Phillies), they are behaving like Major Leaguers.

Why aren't you?

A.J. Battisto Developing Repertoire And Confidence

Half the battle in minor league baseball is knowing what you need to learn.

A.J. Battisto is already there, pitching strong in the Marlins minor league system, while also understanding the importance of being a good student.

"I feel my curveball has made huge strides," he said by e-mail. "I'm very happy with the development of the pitch. I know my change-up is going to be a vital pitch against left-handed hitters."

The 25 year-old reliever was promoted to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs from Double-A Jacksonville Suns, pitching three innings. He gave up four hits and two earned runs. His ERA on the season is 2.77 For the first time in his career he's spent a season at three different levels.

"I've gone up and down and went on a good stretch of not pitching for about nine days," he said.

There's all sorts of opinions on the subject on what's the hardest jump in baseball (Pete Incaviglia once told me he believed if you could pitch successfully at the Double-A level, you could go the majors), but Battisto sees the simplicity of the differences.

"Low A to High A was a small jump, but none the less, a jump. Double-A hitters have a better approach then Single-A hitters. They come to the plate looking for a certain approach in a certain count. You don't have as many free-swingers."

But as players develop on the field skills, they also develop mental toughness, something Battisto notes.

"The one difference I saw between Double-A and Triple-A wasn't necessarily the physical talent. I thought that was generally the same."

"The mental aspect of the game changed," he continued. "In my three innings pitched in Triple-A, I felt you had to out-think hitters. If you make the pitch location, you're ok. I saw a lot more aggressiveness in them. Rarely did they miss a pitch."

The Suns are in position to make the playoffs and Battisto is looking forward to the possibility.

"I'm pretty sure we've clinched a playoff spot., so that's exciting. We'll be playing bonus baseball in September. Everything goes a lot smoother when you're winning."

But winning or not and whatever work he needs on particular pitches, he understands the most fundamental aspect of baseball.

"What I've learned most is patience.The good Lord has taught me a tremendous amount of patience this season."

 

 

Chris Malec Takes (Yankees) Pride In Game

Chris Malec has emerged on the Eastern League stage in the past few weeks, by doing the little things. Something he actually feels he needs some work on.

But the Trenton Thunder INF knows that aggression has to be used in a smart way on the baseball field.

"I do the opposite of giving away at bats," he said in the dugout before a game. "I push too hard and try to do too much. I'll try to drive the ball, and so I'm learning to just try and put the ball in play and be productive, without driving it."

He started off the season at Trenton, but was reassigned back to Trenton from the Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees, Malec is hitting .282 with 42 RBI.

2009 marks his fourth year of pro-ball and the 26 year old knows what he has to do to be successful.

"You want to have a good plan when you go in there," he said.

For all the personal success he's been having lately, the team has suffered several key injuries and a blow to the morale. Especially considering he's been part of the back-to-back championship seasons (2007-08) with the Thunder. But learning how to overcome those obstacles is all part of playing and learning the game.

"Whatever happens, we have to do our best and not worry about that. It's important to us to win. We need to just play our game."

Earlier in the week, I'd asked manager Tony Franklin if perhaps his players feel more pressure because they're playing in the Yankees minor league system.

"I hope not. But at the same time, they should feel proud of it."

Malec agrees with Franklin's attitude toward the meaning of possibly playing at Yankee Stadium.

"I don't think about that all the time, but yeah, it's the Yankees and I feel a responsibility to that legacy. They're a class organization and I want to uphold their image."

NOTES: Malec was drafted by Yankees in the 16th round in 2005...He was born in Laguna Niguel, California...He grew up a Boston Red Sox fan.

Harrisburg Senators Continue Confident Dominance Over Trenton Thunder

A SENATORS SUNDAY

The Harrisburg Senators are simply outplaying the Trenton Thunder.

Once again the Washington Nationals affiliate defeated the baby Bombers 2-1 on Sunday at Waterfront Park.

Senators starting pitcher Brad Myers struggled a bit early in the showing, but managed to push through it and hold the Thunder off through

"I was just working on throwing strikes," Myers said post-game. "I've struggled the last few times out. So I was just trying to get ahead of hitters and make good pitches."

TONY FRANKLIN TALKS DEVELOPING

Developmental league baseball is about building confidence as much as developing and polishing skills.

Before the game, Thunder manager Tony Franklin addressed the process of working with the Thunder players through their growing pains.

"We've had less experienced players this year, but no more challenges than usual," he said. "My job and the job of the coaches here is to help players define who they are. I think they've done a pretty good job. What we're looking for is consistency in our game."

NOTES:

Thunder reliever Josh Schmidt had been 1-0 against the Senators with a 1.50 ERA, prior to surrendering the tying run in the eighth...In four games the Thunder and Senators final scores were in the low numbers: they combined for just 10 runs in the series...In nine games, Austin Krum is hitting .310 against the Senators.

New Jersey Native Erik Arnesen Feeling At Home And Confident

Whether he has allegiance to the Mets, Phillies or Yankees, or another team, Princeton, New Jersey native Eric Arnesen won't say. He's just that polite.

But to look at him, you'd be pretty intimidated.

At 6'3, his size belies his warm and enthusiastic personality.

His growth on the mound is evident this season. He's 6-5 with a 3.48 ERA. Though his base on balls percentage is a bit high (he's walked 22) he leads the team in strikeouts with 74.

"I used to throw a curveball, a slider and a changeup, he said. "Now I'm throwing a fastball, a hard breaking ball and a cutter. Continuing to develop control has made me more effective."

When asked if mixing up his pitches is something he feels he's gotten better at, he's confident.

"I'm comfortable throwing all my pitches, in pretty much any count."

Catcher Luke Montz who's spending his first season catching Arnesen, sees his strengths and weaknesses.

"He attacks the strike zone," Montz said. "He has that goal mentality on the mound. He can make better quality pitches when he's ahead of batters, is really the main thing he needs to work on."

Being a part of the Eastern League, Arnesen's able to enjoy the closeness of kin.

" This is a place I used come and watch games," he said before Sunday's game at Waterfront Park. "It's great to be in this area playing. My friends come up, my family comes to see me play. I grew up just a little north of here. The chaplain here is actually a guy that went to church with me growing up."

Playing affiliated ball for a team that is reestablishing itself and trying to grow still, is a good source of fuel for the 25 year old righty.

"They want to be a winning organization," he said of the Nats. "They're taking those steps, but it's a growing process. It's definitely something I'd like to be a part of."

Back to that allegiance thing (to which he laughed and responded, "I'm not sure I'm allowed to say."): is it possible that where he came to see games is a hint?

Josh Schmidt Given Much Deserved Attention

NY Baseball Digest writer Mike Silva wrote about a guy whose name doesn't carry the flash, as he explains, the way Kontos and McAlister do. Josh Schmidt is not a flashy pitcher, but he's gotten the job done all season for the Thunder. Watching him pitch throughout this season has been a study in consistency.

Check out Silva's blog blurb about the Yankees minor leaguer.

http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=13751

J.A. Happ: No Debating Spot

Pedro Martinez has proven himself in the big leagues in his seventeen year career. J.A. Happ has proven himself in his two year career.

Happ wins.

When Martinez finishes his time in the Phillies minor leagues, he will join the team and what he'll be doing is anyone's guess. But he's a starting pitcher by trade and everyone understands that. We also understand that results are all that matters. And for all his experience, Happ's results in the big leagues are current. And they are impressive.

He may have a lot to prove over his career, but for the time being he's proven he belongs where he is. He's in the Phils starting rotation with an 8-2 record and a 2.74 ERA.

Martinez has to prove he deserves to be in the rotation, right? Well, maybe not. There's chattering about Jaime Moyer going to the bullpen and that both veterans are candidates.

What's Charlie Manuel to do with all these starting pitchers? He has a lot of decisions to make, but Phils GM Ruben Amaro publicly stated that Happ is a keeper in the rotation.

Truth be told, it hasn't felt like a five man rotation much of the time. Cole Hamels has struggled, as has Moyer. The top of the rotation feels uncertain often, but with the acquisition of Cliff Lee, the Phillies are hoping there's an overall turnaround. Hamels is going through some growing pains and will come out of it. Lee's presence could possibly alleviate some of the pressure.

But J.A. Happ is not part of the problem. There should be no question about the young player's place in the Phillies starting rotation.

 

Brian Gump Rises To The (Offspeed) Challenge

Brian Gump's experiences in the minor leagues aren't unique, but rarely are they expressed in a way fans can connect with. Post-game quotes don't capture much feeling, and features on prospects aren't normally on the front page of the sports section. So the 22 year old Phillies prospect took matters into his own hands and began a blog about his first year in professional baseball.

Drafted by the Phillies in the 26th round, the University of California product (Santa Barbara) is currently hitting .326 in the GCL, with 13 RBI under his belt.

He was nice enough to take some time to talk to me:

 

You are excelling at GCL level right now. How are you feeling at the plate? What's working so well for you?

I’m feeling alright at the plate, to be honest I have only felt really hot at the plate for about a one week period since I have been here. I've just been working on staying very focused on each at bat and living in the moment, not worrying about the last at bat or my next. I learned very quickly that I have to be aggressive early in the count because that is when I'm going to get the best pitches to hit, so that is what is working particularly well for me.

What's been the biggest surprise for you in your brief time at the pro level?

That’s a tough one because I have had a number of my friends move on to pro ball before me so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I guess the biggest surprise was the nature of the GCL. I was certainly expecting to be playing night games in front of a small crowd at least. I was under the impression that I was going to be playing short season in the NY/Penn league but at the last minute I got the news I'd be playing down here in instead because they had too many outfielders in Williamsport . I decided to take what could be perceived as a negative and turn it into a positive by looking at it as a challenge, if I can play in the heat and humidity here, I can be comfortable just about anywhere. I really feel like a stronger and more complete player because of my experience here.

The Phillies fan base is intense. Did you have a favorite team growing up? Does that type of fan passion excite you or maybe make you a little nervous?

My team growing up was the California Angels. I continued to be a fan amidst all the name changes and finally got to experience the excitement of a World Series run in 2002. Of course, the minute I got the call from the Phillies my allegiance instantaneously shifted. Honestly, I'm looking forward to moving up the ranks and experiencing and interacting with the Philly fans. I'm not nervous about it at all, I have some pretty lofty expectations for myself and I'm not a very sensitive person when it comes to criticism or pressure, its all about how you receive it. I had a quote of the day a few days ago on the blog, “We may affirm absolutely that nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion" and I certainly believe that the passion that is behind the Phillies organization is one of the main reasons for its success as a classy and winning organization.

Your blog is a way for you to describe the unique experiences of minor league life. What stands out for you so far, in terms of the lifestyle?

 
I think being so close with other guys from different countries stands out the most. I have a lot of fun with the Latin guys and I find it kind of strange, but cool, that we;re all here from such different backgrounds yet we spend more time with each other than our own families. It’s this wacky extended family that I have here, that is so unique I guess.

Who would play you in a movie if this becomes a book?

That is a tough one. I suppose there aren’t a lot of lead red headed actors in Hollywood , and especially not many this ridiculously good looking. Just kidding! The only one that comes to mind is that guy that plays Ron Weasly in the Harry Potter movies. I just looked him up and his name is Rupert Grint, what a great name.

Back to the game: Are you already feeling the difference in the kind of pitching your facing?

Me and some of the guys have talked about this a bit and I would have to say I actually haven’t felt too much of a difference. I played in the Big West in college and that is one of the premier D1 conferences in the country so I consistently saw pretty good pitching. With me being a left handed hitter, I think the biggest difference might be that there are a ton of lefty pitchers here and they will throw their changeup to me. In college, I don’t know if I ever got a changeup from a lefty, so that has introduced a new pitch that I need to be aware of when I’m hitting against lefties. In college I could essentially bet on either a fastball or slider/curve when facing a lefty.

If you have one piece of advice for young players who are not yet pros, what would it be?

I have a ton of advice that I would give, one piece of advice is pretty hard to pick. I think the main messages I would get across to the younger players is to always have a backup plan besides baseball (ie. do well in school because it makes everything that much easier when it comes to playing in college or impressing scouts, when they check your background information, have goals in your life outside of baseball) because you never know when the game will be taken away from you due to injury or whatever other circumstance. Secondly, if it’s your dream to play professional baseball then go after it! Try and do something everyday to get better. I can't tell you how many people laughed at me when I was younger when I told them I was going to be a pro baseball player when I grow up. Always work hard, it will pay off, that applies to anything in life.

"Coaching Brian was easy. It's easy to coach athletes that want to get better and are willing to listen, will buy into what you are saying and work hard at it. When you throw in his athleticism, it's easy to see why and how he has gone from player who wasn't highly recruited out of high school to the type of player he is now. You are right, he is very focused and knows what he wants. But, it's his attitude, his outlook on life and his work ethic that separates him from others. He was raised well from two great parents and that goes a long way into why he is successful."- Bob Brontsema, Brian's college coach

 

Prince Fielder And The Question Of Protection

Prince Fielder has a welt on his thigh and the burly Brewer wants to mess you up.

You, meaning Dodgers reliever Guillermo Mota who threw, oh, pretty inside to the young star.

Mota would have been part of a baseball throw down had Fielder not been stopped by security and his teammates, as he tried to enter the Dodgers clubhouse Tuesday night. It happened after the Brewers fell to the Dodgers 17-4.

There are always surreal moments in baseball and this goes on the very long list.

Hitters today appear more defensive about being thrown inside to and it's a hotly-debated issue. If we're talking about headhunting, well then a line's been crossed. This is not the first time the Dodgers have been involved recently in a plunking controversy. Phillies OF Shane Victorino pointed out in the NLCS, that Hideki Koroda throwing at his ribs was fine, his head was off limits. And he literally pointed. Showing Koroda what was permissible and what wasn't.

But Mota wasn't headhunting. He was...thigh hunting? His pitch was within the limits of fairness and courtesy. It was retaliation done politely.

Fielder, 25, is growing up in baseball at a time when the personal codes of conduct on the field seem to be changing. Call me crazy, but are there less bench clearing brawls now? Not that I'm a fan of violence on the field, but, gee whiz, once in awhile I'd like to see some fired up players go at it. Sometimes a team needs to wake up a little and that's always a good way.

In a sense, Fielder may have been doing just that. Perhaps it was a call to arms, or runs for that matter. If his team saw him like that, it certainly puts him in a leadership role and earns their respect. If Mota, who was ejected, was protecting, Fielder was preparing for battle.

But the code of conduct for plunking is also getting blurry. Brewers manager Ken Macha said post-game that the game needs to clean itself up of the practice and allowing players to think it's acceptable.

To hit or not to hit? From everything I've learned all my life, location is key.

Though it's usually a negative, in baseball, hitting below the belt is considered fair play.