AUBURN - There are a wealth of talented outfielders in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
Glenn Gaston / Special to The Citizen
Auburn outfielder Ben Zeskind throws a ball back to the infield during the Doubledays' first practice on Sunday.
Auburn outfielder Ben Zeskind throws a ball back to the infield during the Doubledays' first practice on Sunday.
Which is why fans will probably recognize the names of the Auburn Doubledays starting three out in the field. Ben Zeskind, Adam Calderone and Shawn Scobee will be at least starting a second straight summer at Falcon Park due to a surplus of talented outfielders above them.
“The organization looks at the number of outfielders that they have,” Doubledays manager Dennis Holmberg said. “We have some younger guys that have stayed behind, too. The organization looks at those guys and sees that we don't have to draft anymore outfielders, that they can take their chances on the guys we already have.”
Even though he led the team with 16 doubles last year, had a .278 batting average and was one of three Doubledays to make the New York-Penn League all-star team, Zeskind wasn't completely shocked to learn he was returning to Auburn.
“We got the picture when we went through extended (spring training),” said the Miami native.
“But it's kind of nice to stay together. We're all good friends and it's cool to be in a familiar setting. There's a lot of good outfielders in the organization and this is where we all fit. As long as we're playing, that's the most important thing.”
With six other players returning to Auburn as well this season, the outfielders feel more comfortable coming back.
“If it was just one of us coming back, it would be weird,” Calderone said. “But since there are so many of us here again, it's OK. There are just too many good guys above us right now.”
With only two newcomers to the Auburn outfield in Baron Frost and Victor Santana, both with the Pulaski Blue Jays last year, the returning trio brings a good amount of experience to the team. Especially since Calderone spent the first part of the season in Dunedin.
“There aren't any new drafted guys that are here playing outfield, so we're familiar with everybody,” Zeskind said. “We know (Frost and Santana) from minicamp last year. But since we played here last year together, we've already been through a regular season here together. That's the only difference. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be a verbal guy or anything like that because it doesn't really apply. But we know the way Dennis manages and Justin (Mashore, hitting coach) and Antonio (Caceres, pitching coach), how they all go about their business and what they expect. It's important for us to continue to be professional and be the way they expect us to be. We'll set that example for sure.”
With Auburn their home for the foreseeable future, the three are looking more at the silver lining.
“It's good to play with your friends and play with guys that you've played with before out there,” Scobee said. “Communication-wise, knowing what they can do out there and what ground they can cover versus what you can cover. It helps you out. It's always good to play with guys that you are friends with that you want to do good for and want to win with.”
Though he led the team in triples (six) and stolen bases (seven) and was more than durable with 246 at-bats in 70 games (second on the team), Calderone finished the season with a .248 average. Scobee struck out 68 out of 170 chances and finished with a .212 average with 25 RBIs.
“We do have some players that have spent the last two years in the organization that are ready,” Holmberg said.
“It's their turn, it's their time to leave that league and have the chance to come into a higher league and really make a difference, make a name for themselves. I'm expecting every one of those guys to be able to say, 'It's my time'. There is no other place to go but up for these guys. It's tough for players to understand sometimes, but you've got to go somewhere where you can play. Having these guys back, it can be helpful to us because they've been there, done that. They've seen it. They're not scared, they shouldn't be nervous. It's all about growing up and getting more mature, not just as professional baseball players, but as people. There is no substitute for experience.”
“The organization looks at the number of outfielders that they have,” Doubledays manager Dennis Holmberg said. “We have some younger guys that have stayed behind, too. The organization looks at those guys and sees that we don't have to draft anymore outfielders, that they can take their chances on the guys we already have.”
Even though he led the team with 16 doubles last year, had a .278 batting average and was one of three Doubledays to make the New York-Penn League all-star team, Zeskind wasn't completely shocked to learn he was returning to Auburn.
“We got the picture when we went through extended (spring training),” said the Miami native.
“But it's kind of nice to stay together. We're all good friends and it's cool to be in a familiar setting. There's a lot of good outfielders in the organization and this is where we all fit. As long as we're playing, that's the most important thing.”
With six other players returning to Auburn as well this season, the outfielders feel more comfortable coming back.
“If it was just one of us coming back, it would be weird,” Calderone said. “But since there are so many of us here again, it's OK. There are just too many good guys above us right now.”
With only two newcomers to the Auburn outfield in Baron Frost and Victor Santana, both with the Pulaski Blue Jays last year, the returning trio brings a good amount of experience to the team. Especially since Calderone spent the first part of the season in Dunedin.
“There aren't any new drafted guys that are here playing outfield, so we're familiar with everybody,” Zeskind said. “We know (Frost and Santana) from minicamp last year. But since we played here last year together, we've already been through a regular season here together. That's the only difference. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be a verbal guy or anything like that because it doesn't really apply. But we know the way Dennis manages and Justin (Mashore, hitting coach) and Antonio (Caceres, pitching coach), how they all go about their business and what they expect. It's important for us to continue to be professional and be the way they expect us to be. We'll set that example for sure.”
With Auburn their home for the foreseeable future, the three are looking more at the silver lining.
“It's good to play with your friends and play with guys that you've played with before out there,” Scobee said. “Communication-wise, knowing what they can do out there and what ground they can cover versus what you can cover. It helps you out. It's always good to play with guys that you are friends with that you want to do good for and want to win with.”
Though he led the team in triples (six) and stolen bases (seven) and was more than durable with 246 at-bats in 70 games (second on the team), Calderone finished the season with a .248 average. Scobee struck out 68 out of 170 chances and finished with a .212 average with 25 RBIs.
“We do have some players that have spent the last two years in the organization that are ready,” Holmberg said.
“It's their turn, it's their time to leave that league and have the chance to come into a higher league and really make a difference, make a name for themselves. I'm expecting every one of those guys to be able to say, 'It's my time'. There is no other place to go but up for these guys. It's tough for players to understand sometimes, but you've got to go somewhere where you can play. Having these guys back, it can be helpful to us because they've been there, done that. They've seen it. They're not scared, they shouldn't be nervous. It's all about growing up and getting more mature, not just as professional baseball players, but as people. There is no substitute for experience.”
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