Saturday, September 8, 2001
[ PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL ]
Shane Victorino wanted nothing more than to stay injury-free this year, his initial campaign with a full-season minor-league team in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization. Victorino improves
in Dodgers systemBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comA back injury slowed him last year, but this season with the Wilmington (N.C.) Waves in the Class-A South Atlantic League, he was off and running on the base paths and having his best season at the plate.
Then, the Waves center fielder was forced to take a three-week hiatus.
"I was going for a ball, was going to climb the wall and planted my left foot to jump, but the foot gave away," Victorino, a sixth-round draft choice in 1999 said. "It's a frustrating injury. I wanted to stay off the injury list this year."
The left ankle suffered a second-degree sprain. It was two weeks before he was allowed to start running.
Victorino was hitting .283 (vs. a .262 career average) at the time of his injury. He was tied for fourth in the SAL with 45 stolen bases, more than the total he swiped in his first two seasons in the rookie leagues.
He feels the improvement with the bat is a result of the Dodgers' decision not to make him a switch hitter, something Victorino tried during the 2000 season.
"I would love to see myself switch hit. You are a step or two closer to first base from the left side, but I feel comfortable and I'm glad because last year was such a struggle. I'm also glad I tried because it taught me how to overcome struggles," the Maui resident said.
Victorino credits Maury Wills with improving his base stealing abilities.
"He has taught me so much about stealing bases," Victorino said. "Looking back, as a young kid growing up and watching the Dodgers on television who ever would have thought I would be standing next to Maury Wills coaching me? It's such a great feeling."
He enjoyed two hot streaks during the summer where every pitch looked like a watermelon. He also realizes those periods don't last forever in a 140-game season.
"When you're hot, it seems like nothing can stop you. You're in a rhythm, everything is rolling for you. When it changes you think about how you were doing this last week and everything was great and this week you're doing the same thing, but the results aren't the same. This game is such a learning experience," said Victorino.
"We have a guy who comes in and works with us on the mental part of the game. That helps. I was talking with our catcher about this and we both agreed how much more you learn in a long season."
Victorino says Wilmington is a beautiful town with great people and nice beaches, the best place he's ever played.
He's on the Internet just about every day checking out the doings of Hawaii's other professional players.
"It's fun to keep up with the other kids and it's such an honor to be a pro baseball player from Hawaii," Victorino said.
Height: 5-9. Shane Victorino's career statistics
Weight: 165.
Throws: Right.
Bats: Right
School: St. Anthony
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB Avg. 1999-Great Falls, Pioneer 55 225 53 63 7 6 2 25 20 .280 2000-Yakima, Northwest 61 236 32 58 7 2 2 20 21 .246 2001-Vero Beach, Florida State 2 6 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 .167 2001-Wilmington, South Atlantic 112 435 71 123 21 9 4 32 47 .283 Minor League Totals 230 902 158 245 35 17 8 77 88 .272 Highlights
>> Drafted in the 6th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, June 2, 1999. Signed June 8, 1999.
>> Led Great Falls in runs (53) and stolen bases (20) in 1999.
>> Named Los Angeles minor league player of the month for July 2001.