Tuesday, March 26, 2002
By JAY LINDSAY, Associated Press Writer
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Last year, he was the camp phenomenon, surprising everyone, including himself, by making the Boston Red Sox.
This year, Shea Hillenbrand is the incumbent third baseman, a veteran watching other veterans compete for the chance to be his backup.
The elevation in status has meant little change in his second big league camp for Hillenbrand, who said last year was equally pressure-free.
"I didn't expect to make the team last year, so it was just as easy last year," he said. "I had no expectations."
The difference now is he's learned a year's worth of lessons, taught by major league pitchers who knew how to take advantage of his free-swinging ways, and a season of grounders at third base after mainly playing catcher in the minor leagues.
In one season in the majors, he said, "you really find out the type of player you are."
Last year, Hillenbrand and wife, Jessica, drove cross-country from Arizona to Red Sox camp, expecting it to be a detour on their way to a Red Sox minor league team.
But Hillenbrand, 26, got his opportunity when injuries to third baseman John Valentin and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra opened up infield slots. He took advantage by hitting .423 during spring training. On opening day, he was Boston's starting third baseman.
"You need a lot of luck and you need the right timing," he said. "It was a situation where I was able to take advantage and hold my own."
He quickly discovered a big gulf between life in the majors and Double-A Trenton, where Hillenbrand had last played.
"They treat you like kings," Hillenbrand said.
But the pitchers weren't as nice as the accommodations
Armed with scouting reports, video breakdowns, and superior skills and smarts, they figured out Hillenbrand's weaknesses and exploited them.
Hillenbrand started the year with a nine-game hit streak, and hit .343 in his first month. But he hit just .219 in May and June (37-for-169), and his average dropped to .265.
Hillenbrand said pitchers took advantage of his natural aggressiveness, getting him to swing at pitches he should have passed on.
"I like to swing the bat, regardless if it's 0-0, 2-0 or 0-2," he said. "It's a situation where I need to be more under control and allow myself to have a better chance to succeed. Because more times than not, I got myself out rather than the pitcher getting me out."
Hillenbrand swung so much he walked just 13 times in about 490 plate appearances last season. His first major league walk came in mid-April and broke a string of 149 major and minor league at bats without a base on balls.
But more discipline at the plate, not more walks, is Hillenbrand's goal this season.
"No one's goal is ever to walk more," he said. "It's to be more patient."
Manager Grady Little said he's not concerned about Hillenbrand's free-swinging approach. There's little doubt Hillenbrand will start, though Lou Merloni and veteran Carlos Baerga could also see time at third.
"I see a kid who likes to swing the bat and hit the ball hard," Little said. "At this point, I'm not going to worry about it too much. He had a lot of success being that way last year."
Hillenbrand finished his rookie season with a .263 batting average, 49 RBI and 12 home runs, the third-most by a rookie third baseman in Red Sox history. He also had 18 errors.
This spring, Hillenbrand is batting .316 with a home run. He has one error.