While some former MU baseball players most notably, Texas' Ian Kinsler and Arizona's Max Scherzer are having some much-publicized success in the majors, one former MU second baseman is quietly having himself an impressive season one base at a time. Brock Bond, who graduated in 2007, is building a solid resume in the San Francisco Giants' minor leagues. KBIA's JJ Stankevitz has the story.
Most players drafted in the 24th round of Major League Baseball's amateur draft play a few years, struggle to succeed, and call it quits. Former MU second baseman Brock Bond isn't one of those players.
Bond enters the week on a 43-game on-base streak as the leadoff hitter for the Connecticut Defenders, the San Francsico Giants' double-A affiliate. To put that in perspective, Bond has reached base in every game he's played since May 6. He's fifth in the Eastern League in batting average, fourth in on-base percentage, and fourth in runs scored.
"I try to have the same approach every day. Sometime it works, sometimes it doesn't. Luckily, it's been working for 43 straight games."
We caught up with Bond recently as he prepared for a game in New Britain, Connecticut. He says his approach has been to do nothing more than try to make contact, avoiding strikeouts and taking walks while not trying to hit home runs. As a result, Bond hasn't hit a whole lot of doubles and home runs, but that's all part of Bond's game.
"A walk's just as good as a hit, and I'm a guy that needs to score runs and to and I need to be on base to do that. Once I start trying to hit for power I'll be striking out more and hitting more popups, and that's not what I need to do, I'm not a power hitter."
Steve Decker, head coach of the Defenders, compares Bond's style of play to former St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Fernando Vina.
"Brock's a switch hitter, he knows how to work the count, he knows how to get on base, he has a two strike approach, he can bunt, he's a very good solid leadoff guy."
Bond doesn't feel like being selected in the 24th round will hold him back in the Giants' system. His main competition is 2006 first-round pick Emmanuel Burriss, who was recently sent down to Triple-A after hitting just .238 in the majors to start the year. Bond knows that if he continues to play well, he will get his chance.
"Early on, I know a lot of guys the high draft picks do get a lot of opportunities. But I believe that everybody gets an opportunity. when the time's right, if you do well and play hard and make the most, no matter who you are, you're going to get more opportunities."
Head coach Decker agrees and thinks that Bond has a shot at making the majors if he keeps playing the way he's playing.
"His tool grade isn't off the charts, but when you watch him play day in and day out you know he's a tough kid and goes up there and battles everyday and helps ballclubs win. And you know what, he's going to grind his way into being a big leaguer if he keeps playing like this."
And, for now, that's impressive enough for the guy who was the 734th player selected in the 2007 draft.
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