Heating up

AUBURN - Auburn Doubledays catcher C.J. Ebarb wasn't even expecting to play in Auburn this season. The Louisiana and Texas native spent his first year in Pulaski last season after being drafted in the 41st round of the 2006 MLB draft. He had a .229 average in Pulaski, with two home runs, 33 hits and 12 RBIs. Ebarb started this season with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, going 3-for-9 in three games before getting word that he was moving north to Auburn.

As a backup to 2007 first rounder J.P. Arencibia, Ebarb has seen more time at the designated hitter spot than behind the plate, but lately he has been making the most of it. Since the All-Star break earlier this month, his average jumped from .211 to around the .250 mark, with six hits and six RBIs in as many games.

Here, Ebarb talks about living in three states prior to his pro career, playing a second position and the difference in his performance since mid-August.