Heyward leads pack of breakout hitters
Article By smcneal.tsn on 10th March, 2010
Starting pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Aroldis Chapman aren't the only youngsters drawing rave reviews early in spring training.
The way Jason Heyward has impressed, he could be a star before he plays his first regular season game. He is just one of a handful of young hitters hoping to use March as a springboard into a major role:
Jason Heyward has impressed the Braves with his overall game. Jason Heyward, RF, Braves
Heyward came to camp with a chance to win the right field job. After a week of game action, it will be a surprise if he doesn't begin the season in the Braves' outfield. The 20-year-old has impressed the Braves with his hitting, plate discipline, fielding, baserunning and humility. The 6-4, 245-pounder had six hits -- one a thunderous homer -- six walks and only one strikeout in his first 21 plate appearances.
"He does a lot of stuff right," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "It's amazing to me. We'll see what happens."
"The way he carries himself on and off the field, he's different from any other young kid I've ever seen," hitting coach Terry Pendleton said.
For example, Heyward remains unfazed by the media attention.
"I've been asked a lot of questions this spring," he said. "They will ask, 'What about the hype around you?' I say, 'Well you guys are the hype around me. You guys are asking the questions every day, you guys are bringing it to me.' I'm not feeling any hype because I'm just playing baseball. I'm doing the same thing I've been doing, the same thing I set out to do. That's what I'm prepared to do."
Related Links Braves team preview Tigers team preview Rays team preview SN's preseason Power Poll Austin Jackson, CF, Tigers
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
The way Jason Heyward has impressed, he could be a star before he plays his first regular season game. He is just one of a handful of young hitters hoping to use March as a springboard into a major role:
Jason Heyward has impressed the Braves with his overall game. Jason Heyward, RF, Braves
Heyward came to camp with a chance to win the right field job. After a week of game action, it will be a surprise if he doesn't begin the season in the Braves' outfield. The 20-year-old has impressed the Braves with his hitting, plate discipline, fielding, baserunning and humility. The 6-4, 245-pounder had six hits -- one a thunderous homer -- six walks and only one strikeout in his first 21 plate appearances.
"He does a lot of stuff right," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "It's amazing to me. We'll see what happens."
"The way he carries himself on and off the field, he's different from any other young kid I've ever seen," hitting coach Terry Pendleton said.
For example, Heyward remains unfazed by the media attention.
"I've been asked a lot of questions this spring," he said. "They will ask, 'What about the hype around you?' I say, 'Well you guys are the hype around me. You guys are asking the questions every day, you guys are bringing it to me.' I'm not feeling any hype because I'm just playing baseball. I'm doing the same thing I've been doing, the same thing I set out to do. That's what I'm prepared to do."
Related Links Braves team preview Tigers team preview Rays team preview SN's preseason Power Poll Austin Jackson, CF, Tigers
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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