IN FOCUS: RAYS
Brett Sullivan has proved he can hit for power and drive in runs since the Tampa Bay Rays made him a 17th-round pick in the 2015 draft. But what makes the Bowling Green (Ohio) catcher stand out from his fellow catchers is his speed.
Sullivan isn’t shy about showing off his ability to run. He stole 15 bases in 19 attempts through 103 Class A Midwest League games after swiping five bases last season in the rookie-level Appalachian League. A catcher with quickness is a valuable commodity, a fact that isn’t lost on Sullivan.
“Growing up, I liked to steal bases,” said Sullivan, who stole 21 in three seasons at the University of the Pacific. “You get a good jump and you go in there hard. I was going to be an infielder, and I wasn’t going to change my game being a catcher. I felt it was something that was part of my game and I was going to keep doing it.
“It’s worked out pretty well for me. It’s fun being out there and having a pitcher not looking at you (when you’re on base) because you’re a catcher and then be able to swipe a bag or two. When you get a double and they don’t hold you on as much and the pitcher isn’t looking, to be able to steal third is pretty easy. I take great delight in that.”
Sullivan says his older brother Tyler, whom the Chicago White Sox drafted in the 14th round last year, is the “speed guy” in the family.
Tyler certainly fits that bill, having stolen 26 bases through 117 games for Kannapolis (N.C.) of the Class A South Atlantic League this season. Tyler also went to Pacific, where he stole 34 bases in four seasons.
“He’s pretty quick and fast for being a catcher,” Tyler said about his brother. “He’s very athletic
and played shortstop in college, so he can definitely run. It doesn’t surprise me that he has stolen bases. People think because he is a catcher, he doesn’t steal.”
The Sullivan brothers are in contact every day by phone, FaceTime or texting. They are 15 months apart and after playing together in high school and college for so many years, their bond is strong.
“We’ve always been that close,” said Tyler, who was hitting .264 through Aug. 20. “We always talk.
“We check out each other’s stats, and if I’m struggling, he knows my swing better than anyone, even without seeing it, he’ll know what I am doing wrong and vice versa. It’s nice to know he is going through the same ups and downs I am going through.”
Brett hasn’t needed much help from his brother or anyone else this season, though. He had 11 homers through Aug. 20, equaling the total he put up last year in the Appalachian League. He was hitting .283 with 71 RBI (third in the Midwest League) and has demonstrated he is not much of a free swinger, striking out once every 6.3 at-bats.
That Brett has shown plate discipline isn’t surprising considering he grew up watching Barry Bonds as a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan.
He admired Bonds’ keen eye in the batter’s box.
“His confidence was unbelievable,” Brett said. “He knew he was going to get a hit, and if he made an out, his confidence didn’t change at all.
“I’m swinging early and looking to do damage. I’m trying to hit it as far as I can and be a line-drive hitter.”