AUBURN - Adam Calderone isn't the most outspoken player on the Auburn Doubledays bench, but he doesn't really need to be. His play this season speaks loudly enough.

After striking out 55 times and putting up two home runs last season in his first with the Doubledays, the Fairfax, Va. native has made great strides with his swing, proven by leading the team with the seven homers he's already nailed before Saturday's game.

His patience at the plate has also played a big part in his success this season. Calderone has already drawn six more walks (23) than he did all of last year and with a month left in the regular season, has scored 26 runs. Currently the No. 2 hitter in the lineup, he has proven to be one of the most effective Doubledays hitter with runners on base, with a .311 average in 61 at-bats.

With six outfielders on their roster, Calderone is the most consistent. He's been in center field in 46 games for Auburn this year, the most time any player has spent at one position. Sparingly, Calderone talks about the change for him at the plate, leading the team in home runs and the highlight of his two-year professional career.

How does it feel to share the team lead in home runs (with Manny Rodriguez)?

“It's good. It's the one thing I've always been lacking in my game, I feel. Just to be able to drive the ball in the gaps consistently. Hopefully I'll be able to keep doing it.”

What has been the change in your swing this season?

“I've just gotten another year to get consistent. I've been working with our hitting guys and have learned more about the game. I've changed my swing path and that's really it.”

You've been getting a lot of your hits in key situations, with runners on base.

“Yeah, but that's just kind of a coincidence. I'm not really thinking about anything when I'm up there. Lately though, I haven't been getting in the runs and that's been frustrating.”

Now in your second season in Auburn, what's been your favorite part about playing here?

“Just being able to play every day and trying to get better. I feel comfortable in center field and I know how everything works here.”

Has there been a highlight of your professional career so far?

“I was able to play in the Hall of Fame game this year. I got to play with all the big league guys and stuff. That was pretty cool.”

What was it like growing up and playing baseball in Fairfax?

“It was fine, but I noticed that there was way more talent when I got down to Florida for junior college and that it was more competitive. It wasn't bad playing in Virginia, it was pretty good. But it wasn't like playing in Florida.”

What made you decide to play for Florida Southern?

“I wasn't really getting recruited much among the Virginia school and my dad has always lived in Florida. He said that junior colleges were really good down there, so I decided to take a chance and I liked it.”

You've played more at your position than anyone else on the team. What has that been like for you?

“It's good, I feel like I can get to anything and that I play pretty good defense out there. It's fun.”

Aside from moving up in the organization, do you have any goals that you want to achieve for yourself?

“I just don't ever want to hit my ceiling. I want to feel like I keep getting better and that's all I'm concerned about. I just want to keep getting better and keep getting chances to move up. I know I can make it, it's just a matter of going out there and doing it every day.”