Eureka born Zobrist flying under baseball fans' radar
By Mike Cunniff — From the Bench
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mcunniff@morrisdailyherald.com
He is about as unknown as a guy with a last name that starts with the letter "Z" can be.
The top slugger in the American League.
Of course, you know who I mean.
A guy who was born in Eureka. Who graduated from the Woodford County school.
Who was not drafted out of high school.
But check out the slugging percentage for the American League.
Oh yeah. The big names like Mark Teixeira, Russell Branyan, Evan Longoria, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Justin Morneau are on there. In that order.
Behind the top slugger.
Wearing the uniform of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ben Zobrist.
Sporting a A.L. leading .644 slugging percentage through Tuesday's games. Torii Hunter of the Los Angeles Angels (or whatever they are calling themselves these days) is behind Zobrist at .602 while Teixeira is third at .599. Branyan checks in at .596 while Zobrist's teammate, Longoria, is fifth at .594.
Ben Zobrist?
One of the only two players to ever participate in a 2-6-2 triple play in Major League history, the 28-year-old switch hitter is primarily a shortstop. One of nine players of all time with a last name starting with "Z" to appear regularly as a shortstop.
But Zobrist has also been playing some outfield and second base as Rays manager Joe Madden has been doing everything he can to keep Zobrist's bat in the lineup.
After a 1-for-4 on Tuesday, Zobrist is currently hitting .292 even though he is currently mired in a 3-for-25 slump. The 3-for-25 has cost Zobrist 26 points off what had been a .318 norm following a 3-for-5 day (with a triple and a solo homer) in a 12-4 pasting of Colorado back on June 16.
Zobrist was originally selected in the sixth round of the 2004 MLB draft by the Houston Astros out of Dallas Baptist University (after transferring from Olivet Nazarene University). He played parts of three seasons in the Houston chain (hitting .339 at Tri-City in 2004 plus ..304 at Lexington and .333 at Salem in '05).
Zobrist then batted .327 in 83 games at Corpus Christi (Class AA) in 2006 before being acquired by Rays (along with righty Mitch Talbot for Aubrey Huff and cash on July 12th. Zobrist got in 18 games at short for Durham (Class AAA), hitting .304 before being recalled along with B.J. Upton by the Rays on Aug. 1 after Julio Lugo was traded to the Los Angeles. Zobrist hit .224 in the final two months of the season.
He was the Opening Day shortstop for Tampa Bay in 2007, starting 13 of the first 17 games before ultimately being sent down to Durham. He was recalled on July 29 when Ty Wigginton was dealt to the Astros. Zobrist was 5-for-32 down the stretch, winding up the year 15-for-97 for a .155 clip.
Zobrist solidified himself as a Major Leaguer last season, batting .253 with 10 doubles and 12 home runs in 62 contests. He batted .253 with 50 hits in 198 official trips to the plate. Thanks to also drawing 25 walks, Zobrist scored 32 runs.
Probably the biggest surprise to the arsenal of Zobrist this season has been the long ball. He has swatted 15 home runs in 195 at bats. That is what is responsible (along with 14 doubles) for his .644 slugging percentage.
In 1,251 at bats in the Minor Leagues, Zobrist wound up with just 19 homers with seven at Durham in 2007.
So, it wasn't like Zobrist was like Babe Ruth in the minors.
But standing 6-3 and weighing 200 pounds, Zobrist has decent size for a middle infielder. It is not exactly like most Major League teams are counting on their shortstops and second basemen to lead the club in home runs or extra base hits.
A middle infielder who can hit a little or provide a little pop provides a luxury for most Major League clubs. Zobrist can do both.
Of course, playing in Tampa Bay does not enhance your chances of getting a lot of national recognition. Zobrist is nowhere to be found in the American League All-Star voting. The balloting at shortstop ... no Zobrist. Or at second base. Or in the outfield.
No Zobrist.
No where.
And what are chances he will be getting many votes?
Slim.
And none.
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