THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408280188
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
To the day Tides manager Bobby Valentine left for home last week, Butch Huskey remained an offensive puzzle to him. But working with Quilvio Veras and Aaron Ledesma, the club's other touted Triple-A rookie infield prospects, proved more satisfying, Valentine said.
``There were some guys who kind of got an idea, worked with some ideas and got better at hitting,'' Valentine said. ``I'm very disappointed that Butch didn't. Somehow I missed him. I tried early, I tried middle, I tried a little late.
``(Trainer Fred Hina) thinks that a big part was his shoulder early. Maybe, I don't know. But I just never got a grasp for what kind of hitter he needed to be and wanted to be.''
Huskey, the Tides' third baseman, battled pain in his left shoulder, which he originally hurt last November, into July. He was batting just .229 through Friday, with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs, his worst year in four seasons.
Second baseman Veras, also dogged by a shoulder problem, then a rib-cage injury, will finish with by far his worst minor league season - the .320 career hitter was at .256 through Friday.
For that, Valentine points to Veras' diminished walk total and his odd penchant for going after high pitches, not advisable for a slap-hitting leadoff man. Veras averaged 87 walks the last two seasons but might only reach the 60s this season.
Still, Veras has stolen 38 bases - he's been caught 18 times, which is on the high side - and Valentine is bullish on his chances of earning a big league job soon.
``It could happen next year,'' Valentine said. ``If he plays winter ball, he'll be ready to play in the big leagues next year. He's still not going to be the perfect guy ... he's still a little hard-headed. He's gotten thrown out 12 times on 0-1 pitches - 0-1 is not the pitch to steal on. He's hard-headed, but he's learning, I think.''
Ledesma, however, had the finest season of the three. Though erratic at shortstop, Ledesma proved himself offensively and physically, in that he played nearly every game until his shoulder began to rebel in early August.
``Part of it is that I didn't have a utility infielder and I played him every minute of every game,'' Valentine said. ``That was probably a mistake.''
Ledesma was at .280 with three home runs, 56 RBIs and 18 stolen bases before Saturday. Ledesma, 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, has never had more than five home runs in a season, but Valentine believes he has the body to hit for power.
``He became a tough kid this year,'' Valentine said, ``and I think his reputation should be as a tough kid who wants to play the game.''
GOING WEST: Huskey and Ledesma will play in the Arizona Fall League to become familiar with other positions. Huskey will split time between third and first, and Ledesma is scheduled for action at second, third, first and the outfield.
Reliever Pete Walker is slated to pitch in Arizona, as well. Interestingly, the Mets also considered sending reliever Mike Cook, 31, but Cook said he wouldn't go. The league is designed for younger Double-A and Triple-A prospects.
CATCHING CLINIC: Catcher Joe Kmak had thrown out an impressive 33 of the first 65 runners (51 percent) who attempted to steal against him. A success rate of 40 percent is excellent, but Kmak has done only average by his standards.
``I think I've been around 50 percent the last four or five years,'' Kmak said. ``For me the most important things are quickness and accuracy. Arm strength is third. You can throw as hard as you can, but if it's not right on bag and if you don't get rid of it quickly, he's going to be safe.'' by CNB