Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504100045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK BULLOCK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Nate Holdren doesn't profess to be clairvoyant, but he can see far enough into his future to know what's in store for him.
``I've got to drive in runs or else I'm not going to be here very long,'' the Salem Avalanche first baseman said.
``I don't feel any extra pressure, because that's what I'm here for. Besides, everybody in our lineup is expected to drive in runs.''
Maybe so, but Holdren is expected to drive in the most, and he knows it. That talent is what got him here, and it's that talent that could get him to the major leagues.
At 6 feet 4 and 240 pounds, Holdren cuts an imposing figure at the plate. He crunched 28 home runs last season at Asheville, N.C. of the South Atlantic League, the most homers of any player in the Colorado Rockies organization. Add 74 runs batted in and you can see why run production is a vital statistic in his career path.
``I expect it of myself that I need to lead the organization in home runs every season,'' Holdren said with a shrug. ``If I don't, I consider it a bad year.''
Playing in Salem Municipal Field should bolster that attitude. It took only one workout for Holdren and his teammates to join the lengthy list of hitters who have salivated at the thought of playing there.
``I don't know how you can have a fence that short,'' Holdren said, surveying the outfield. ``Guys [on the Avalanche] who have never hit a home run are hitting balls over the scoreboard.''
Short fences can give a power hitter a false sense of security, though, and Holdren quickly dispelled the suggestion that he should fatten his numbers at Municipal Field while waiting for Salem's new ballpark to open.
``I'd rather play at a park where the fence seems a mile away,'' he said. ``Then you don't try to hit a home run and just let it come.''
Just letting it come is a notion that is easier said than done. Because Holdren is expected to hit for power, he is a free swinger who has a propensity to strike out. He wants to cut down on that number (129 last season) but doesn't want his production to tail off at the expense of becoming a contact hitter. That philosophy is not in his best interests.
``The Rockies would rather have me hit .250 with 30 home runs than hit .280 with 10 homers,'' Holdren said. ``I'm allowed to strike out a little more because I'm supposed to drive in runs. I don't want to go 0-for-4 and have four strikeouts, but sometimes you can get a really good swing and still strike out. Obviously, my goal is to hit the ball hard every time.''
It's difficult to say which Holdren hits harder: baseballs or running backs.
After making all-state in baseball and football in Richland, Wash., Holdren earned a football scholarship to the University of Michigan, where he played linebacker for the Wolverines for three years. Career highlights included two trips to the Rose Bowl and games against the University of Washington, his home-state team.
Ironically, Holdren became a Michigan fan by watching the Wolverines play in the Rose Bowl while he was in high school.
``I just wanted to go there all my life,'' Holdren said. ``Four is my favorite number and Jim Harbaugh - who wore No. 4 - was my favorite player. It was a dream come true to go there and play in two Rose Bowls.''
Holdren followed in his idol's footsteps and wore No. 4 for the Wolverines. He may have had a future in football until a knee injury curtailed those aspirations.
Baseball was his first love, though, and Holdren said he ``always knew'' he would stick with baseball as a career. Now he has a new role model.
"Will Clark has been my favorite player all my life,'' Holdren said. ``He's very good around the base and has the sweetest swing in all of baseball.''
For Holdren, a converted outfielder, Clark's defensive prowess is worth emulating.
After all, if Holdren keeps hitting home runs and polishes his defensive skills, who knows what might appear in his future.
by CNB