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Trio of DHS grads end interesting 2006 in pro baseball

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By TIM McDONOUGH

mcdonough@crescent-news.com

Summer has turned into Autumn which has brought an end to the minor league baseball seasons of three former Defiance High School standouts. To say the least, 2006 certainly was an interesting year for Luke Hagerty, Christian Snavely and Jon Niese.

It turned out to be a frustrating year for Hagerty who was hopeful that he finally put his physical troubles behind him. Hagerty, a left-handed starting pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization, started the year with the Daytona Cubs (Single A Advanced) of the Florida State League.

But after just two starts, Hagerty was sent back to extended spring training in Arizona. In his two starts with Daytona, Hagerty threw just three innings and allowed seven runs while walking nine and striking out four. His ERA of 15.00 was certainly cause for concern.

As it turned out, Hagerty spent the rest of the year in Arizona trying to work on the mental part of his game, where he admitted it was a slow and ongoing process.

Toward the end of the year I felt great and I was throwing the ball very well, said Hagerty. But it was a gradual process to get to that point. It all came down to me just simplifying everything. I had to learn to let go of all the negative thoughts and to just drown them out. Learning how to do that proved to be a big help in my game.

Being relaxed and not putting too much pressure on himself also proved to be a big lift for the 6-7 lefty.

Im not putting any pressure on myself, me putting to much pressure on myself and having the expectations I did was part of the problem, said Hagerty. Really, it all comes down to me learning how to relax and being comfortable. Right now I have a better attitude about everything, not just baseball, and Im not worrying about everything all the time.

After taking off the month of September, Hagerty is back to throwing again because he wants to be ready no matter what the future holds.

Right now Ive been throwing a baseball up against a brick wall at my condo, concluded Hagerty. Im just working on all the things Ive learned mentally and physically. Ive got a lot of work to do, but Im ready to do it.

It was also a frustrating year in some respects for Snavely as well, a first baseman for the Dunedin Blue Jays (Single A Advanced) of the Florida State League. But while there was frustration, there was also the thrill of playing for a league championship at the end of the season.

Playing for the championship was a lot of fun, it was my third trip to the playoffs in four years, said Snavely. In the championship series things just didnt go our way (Dunedin was swept by the St. Lucie Mets), but the atmosphere was great and I got the chance to talk with Jon (Niese) a little bit before it started.

Snavely was the first to admit that statistically, he didnt have the year he would have liked. But as his career moves forward, his resolve is strong and hes ready and willing to put in the work to become a better all-around player.

This year, statistically, I didnt hit well at all ... it was very frustrating at times, said Snavely who was named the Single A Player of the Year for Blue Jays a year ago. I understand that you cant have a great year every year, but I had fun making the move from third to first base. It was a learning process, but I loved playing first base.

Plus Im still working on my swing, continued Snavely who hit .228 (62-of-72) with seven home runs, 18 doubles while driving in 41 runs and scoring 41 runs. I felt better toward the end of the year, but it seemed like I was always making adjustments. Right now Ive put this year behind me. Im going to put it in Gods hand and just continue to work to get better.

It turns out that 2006 was an up-and-down year for Niese as well.

The 6-3 left-handed starting pitcher started the year with the Hagerstown Suns (Single A) of the South Atlantic League where he named an all-star and pitched in the SAL All-Star Game in June. During his time with the Suns Niese went 11-9 with a 3.93 ERA. In 25 games started, Niese pitched 123 2/3 innings and allowed 67 runs, 121 hits while striking out 132 and walking 62.

But late in the year Niese got called up to the St. Lucie Mets (Single A Advanced) of the Florida State League where his team eventually won the championship over Snavelys Dunedin Blue Jays.

It was amazing, it was the time of my life, said Niese about being a part of the championship. The team chemistry on that team was amazing and it just felt great to get called up by the organization.

But at the end of the year I was tired, my arm was tired and I just didnt have the velocity I had earlier in the year, continued Niese who went 0-2 with the Mets with a 4.50 ERA. But it was a great learning experience. The guys I pitched against at St. Lucie didnt miss my mistakes.

Following the season, Niese spent a couple of week at St. Lucie at Instructional League working on how to become a more consistent pitcher.

While I was there I worked on my delivery, I worked on my balance and I worked on being more consistent. It went really well, concluded Niese. The big thing I learned this year is that I dont have to throw hard to get guys out and that being consistent is more important than anything. Im looking forward to next year and Ill keep working to reach my goals.