More agreessive stule pays off for infielder Downs
A Florida high school kid is drafted, he gets attention for being named after a future Hall of Fame shortstop and he finds himself playing almost 2,500 miles from home in Billings, Montana.
That was a lot for Jeter Downs to process, but he did it well. Downs played his best ball the last three weeks of the season to finish off a fine 50 games of rookie ball in the short-season Pioneer League. He batted .267 with six homers, 29 RBIs, eight stolen bases and a .370 on-base percentage. Downs came to Dayton in April for his first season of Class A ball in the Midwest League with a new focus and feeling more like he belongs at this level.
“The overall aspect of my game from last year to this year is being more aggressive in everything I do,” Downs said.
Downs had two hits Sunday to extend his hitting streak to seven games in the Dragons’ 8-4 loss to divi- sion-leading Bowling Green. He’s hitting .310 during the streak to raise his average to .267. His on-base percentage is .336.
“I’ve learned a lot through- out the season, I’ve made a lot of adjustments and it seems to be working out so far,” Downs said.
Downs’ aggressiveness at the plate has meant a little more striking out and a lit- tle less walking this season. But he has started to strike out a little less the past couple of weeks as he learns to chase fewer pitches out of the strike zone.
“Obviously being more aggressive you’re going to chase a little bit more,” he said. “I’m fine with it. My numbers at the end of the day, I feel like they’ll bal- ance out.”
Dragons manger Luis Boli- var, who was Dragons’ hit- ting coach from 2014-16, said Downs still has a lot to learn but he likes what he sees from the 19-year-old. He likes how Downs hits to all fields.
“He’s a pretty good hitter and he’s got good hand-eye coordination to hit,” Boli- var said. “He’s made some good strides.”
Downs has also been more aggressive in the running game. He stole his 17th base Sunday in his 60th game. He had eight last year.
“It’s me just being more aggressive on the basepaths and taking them when I get a chance to and not being afraid,” he said.
Downs played shortstop Sunday for the 20th time. He’s played second base 35 times.
“Wherever the coach puts me, I feel comfortable,” he said. “I like being up the middle, and that’s where I plan to be in the long run.”
While Downs is hitting well, the Dragons have lost six straight to fall to 29-32. They are 11 games behind Bowling Green (40-21) who is 9-2 against the Dragons this season. The Dragons have also had two eight-game losing streaks this season.
“I just try to keep guys positive and keep working,” Bolivar said. “I try to see the positive way in everything. The game’s hard enough for these guys, and it’s a long season. I just try to keep them motivated and positive.”
Sunday’s game started after a two-hour rain delay. Dragons starter Andrew Jordan (1-2) entered with a 2.81 ERA in five starts. But he had his worst start and trailed 6-0 after two innings. Downs, John Sansone and Montrell Marshall had RBI singles to help cut the deficit to 7-4 after five innings, but the Dragons managed only two more baserunners.