Opportunities in any profession to get noticed by leadership should never be taken for granted. Sometimes they are subtle and arise from the diligence of doing a job with daily vigor ... the grind so to speak. More often than not they are specific to planned events. Spring Training is MLB’s stage where an “un-touted” player can serve notice and turn heads.
Last spring Rafael Marchan took advantage of such an opportunity and put himself firmly on the radar of the big league staff with his play. I suggest that at least two more players in this year’s camp have made similar impacts.
Luke Williams has continued to show his defensive versatility this spring, he’s played every infield position along with appearances in the outfield. He’s handled each position flawlessly. At the plate Luke has posted a .382 OBP in 33 plate appearances ( 6 hits and 7 walks ) with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs. He’s reached base safely in each of his last eight games.
Coming off a winter ball season in Australia where he hit .292 in 72 at bats for the Adelaide Giants Luke has regained some of the valuable playing time lost to the 2020 season shutdown. He’s very likely headed to the Alternate training camp next month in Allentown and in this observer’s opinion the twenty four year old has shown to the big league staff that he’s a reliable utility option if the need arises.
Darick Hall hits everything hard. He’s shown that ability since we first saw him in Williamsport in 2016. This spring he’s continued to scald the baseball, even when he’s made an out it’s seemingly been loud and a rocket off the bat. On Saturday he drove a ball to the track in left field on a line against one of the strongest incoming winds this spring, it got the skipper’s attention as he purposely got up to fist bump Darick when he returned to the dugout. In 25 Grapefruit League AB’s he’s produced seven hits which includes five doubles and a home run. He’s slugging at a .600 mark and has a current four game hitting streak going, a good time to shine as camp closing draws near ( it’s telling of his ability as the AB’s are against hurlers destined for big league rosters fine tuning at this point ).
Darick has also played very well defensively at first base and has even appeared in left field. He also played winter ball garnering 91 AB’s for Los Mochis in the Mexican League where he hit four home runs and drove in twenty. The twenty five year old is also likely headed to Alternate camp in Allentown but akin to Williams he’s shown that he’s a viable option if a roster need arises in the show.
By the way Luke and Darick have been housemates this spring along with Mickey Moniak who’s also had a very productive camp. Three young players on the rise that have seized the opportunities given to serve notice they are ready to contribute. It’s all part of it.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
