IN FULL BLOOM
After a slow start, shortstop Orlando Arcia grows into his position with the Brewers
No one is more familiar with what shortstop Orlando Arcia can do on a baseball field when on top of his game than Carlos Subero.
The Milwaukee Brewers first base coach was the manager at Class AA Biloxi in 2015 when Arcia put together a season that guaranteed he would be named the organization’s minor-league player of the year and rise to the top of their list of prospects.
Playing most of that season at age 20, the Venezuelan native batted .307 with 37 doubles (most in the Southern League), seven triples, eight home runs, 69 runs batted in, 74 runs, 157 hits and 25 stolen bases in 129 games. In the field, he played Gold Glovecaliber defense with a dramatic flair.
“He played with such conviction back then,” Subero recalled. “You could see it then. And you can see it now.”
Indeed, Arcia again is playing as he did two years ago. He had an unremarkable 2016 season, both at Class AAA Colorado Springs and the final two months with the Brewers, and was off to an even slower start this season when things began to click in impressive fashion.
It’s not unusual for young players – Arcia doesn’t turn 23 until next month – to struggle in the early stages of their big-league careers. But Arcia had the pressure of advance billing to live up to, and was failing to do so six weeks into this season. On May 17, he was batting a meager .208 with a .261 onbase percentage.
Then, thanks to continued hard work with hitting coach Darnell Coles and the ability to make adjustments at the plate, Arcia caught fire and stayed hot for the rest of the first half. He batted .337 over his final 48 games, raising his overall average to .283 with a .323 OBP.
Already a slick defender with remarkable instincts, Arcia also seemed to raise his game in the field, making plays
that literally won games in the ninth inning, including a daring, whirling throw from behind second base against Pittsburgh. He also ran the bases with aggressiveness and vision, including a memorable dash from first base to score on an infield hit by pitcher Brent Suter.
Asked if Arcia was making strides, Coles smiled and said, “More like leaps and bounds. You hear how good he was in the minor leagues. You have him come up, and there were some struggles.
“You’re in the big leagues and teams are trying to feel you out. You try to get comfortable and make sure that everything you did in the minor leagues plays in the big leagues. For the most part, it does. But, at the end of the day, you still have to make adjustments. He’s done a good job of that.
“He’s a phenomenal talent, obviously. He’s fun to watch every day. He’s a kid but he plays like an adult, which is a good thing. He’s got a flair about him. He has fun; he enjoys the game. And the game is enjoying him, too.”
When Arcia was breezing through the Brewers’ farm system, he was known for playing with a
He often had a smile on his face, showing an expressive style that you often see with children on a playground.
That spirit wasn’t always evident in his early months with the Brewers, mainly because you’re not having a ton of fun when you’re scuffling. But, as evidenced by his playful pilfering of a spoonful of a fan’s ice cream while chasing a foul ball to the stands at Miller Park recently, that joyful Arcia is back.
“I’m very happy with what I did in the first half,” Arcia said through translator Carlos Brizuela. “I had a good first half and that gives you a lot of confidence to start the second half. I still have a lot to learn and do. I go out every day and play hard and try to enjoy the game, and have fun with my teammates.”
Subero is the least surprised person that Arcia is blossoming at just the right time for the firstplace
Brewers. He watched on a daily basis in 2015 at Biloxi as the lanky shortstop did things that wowed teammates and fans alike. Subero knew that talent eventually would come forward at the big-league level despite the inevitable growing pains along the way.
“It’s nice to see that he is coming to meet the expectations that everyone had,” Subero said. “You see how slow it started last year, even defensively. This year, the way it started, you could see his confidence on defense but you didn’t see it at the plate.
“He is basically a rookie. It’s not easy when you’re that young. People wanted to see when he was going to be the Arcia they heard about. The one thing is that he never lost conviction. His conviction is back, offensively, defensively and running the bases. He can see that he can play at this level. Now, we’re seeing his talent.”
Then, with a knowing look on his face, Subero made a prediction that should make Brewers fans drool with anticipation.
“There’s more,” he said. “I’m telling you, there’s more. I’ve seen it.
“He will be a leader. He was one in the minors. He will be up here, too. You just wait for your time. At first, you are just quiet and watch. His time will come.”