Princeton Times

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June 29, 2012

Rays managers, players plan on developing skills for Major League

By JONATHAN GREENE Princeton Times

PRINCETON — The goal of every team is to win games. Yet in the Appalachian League, there is another goal — development.

Development comes in several forms, from on the field, to the batter’s box, to off the field.

“I try to help them be professional,” manager Michael Johns said. “Learn how to play the game. You’re preparing them to play the game and the rest will take care of itself.”

For nearly every player on the team, this is a new level from year’s past. Whether it’s the Gulf Coast League, College or the Latin American programs, all but two players are in their first year of Advanced Rookie action.

“They’ve asked about things such as what to expect from the field and lights,” pitcher Kevin James said. “It takes a little bit getting use to. Adrenaline picks up, and you have to keep that under control. I’m excited to get my second year under the way.”

James and Pedro Silvestre are the lone returnees to Hunnicutt Field. The Rays roster features nearly a dozen draftees from 2011 and nearly as many players from the Latin American programs and the 2012 draft.

“We’ve got guys from different age levels and backgrounds, but everybody gets along pretty well,” James said.

Pitcher Blake Snell added, “The team is getting along well. We’ve got some guys who can play. I think we’ll be pretty good.

“I don’t know about how last year’s team is to this year’s, but I can tell you this year’s team will be good.”

Princeton won its first four games and five of its first six. The Rays have cooled down since, but are still near the top of the Appalachian League East Division.

Even though the wins are nice, each player has his sights set on continuing to improve and work toward the Major Leagues.

“I want to make it to the big leagues,” Silvestre said of his career goal. “For now, I want to make the correct adjustments and build on last year.”

•••

PUTTING UP ZEROS: Blake Snell is one of two qualifying pitchers in the Appy League who have a zero ERA.

Snell has gone 8 2/3 innings over two starts, while picking up a win. He’s struck out 13 and walked three. Snell has given up just one hit.

Three more Princeton pitchers — Joan Guerrero, Zach Butler and Kevin Brandt — have zero ERA’s.

Guerrero has come out of the bullpen three times, going seven innings. He’s struck out five, walked four and allowed one hit.  Butler has four saves in five innings while Brandt has pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief.

•••

DRIVING IN RUNS: Unlike previous years, the P-Rays bats are alive and well in the early part of the season.

Princeton has scored 57 runs in their first nine games which is the fourth highest in the Appy League.

Elizabethton (70), Danville (61) and Greeneville (58) are the only teams ahead of them.

The Rays also rank third in batting average (.269), third in doubles (18), third in triples (5), fourth in hits (82) and fourth in RBIs (49). They lead the league in stolen bases (16).

 

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