ROOKIE INITIATION; INEXPERIENCED ANGEL BAUGHMAN IMPROVING.Byline: Frank Welch
Frank Welch (1835 – 1878) was a Nebraska Republican politician. He was born at Bunker Hill, Charlestown, Massachusetts on February 10, 1835 and moved to Boston in with his parents. San Gabriel Valley The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of southern California. It lies to the east of the city of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and to the west of the Inland Empire. Tribune The conversation bordered on intense as both sides stood firm in stating their cases. Yet, the consultation with Angels third-base coach Larry Bowa n. Baseball The infielder who is positioned near and to the first-base side of second base. Noun 1. second baseman - (baseball) the person who plays second base second sacker . ``I have so, so much to learn,'' Baughman said, ``and I have a lot of questions sometimes.'' Bowa - known for his feisty ways as a shortstop with the Philadelphia Phillies “Phillies” redirects here. For other uses, see Phillies (disambiguation). The Philadelphia Phillies are a professional baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. and the Chicago Cubs - has been a key figure in Baughman's rise to the big leagues. Just last season, Baughman was playing shortstop at Class-A Lake Elsinore. ``Justin had some merit to his thoughts,'' Bowa said of Baughman's recent pregame tutoral. ``You want a player to stand up and not just shake his head all the time in agreement. ``I like a guy who is intense. Justin has all the tools to play at this level for a long time.'' Baughman's climb through the Angels' farm system has been swift and surprising. The fourth-year pro jumped from Class-A to Triple-A this season and was promoted to the majors last month. Baughman has solidified a position that was a big question mark when Randy Velarde
Baughman, regarded as the quickest player in the Angels' organization, has hit .274 and has fielded his position well, making just three errors in his first 30 games. ``I went into the spring thinking that I'd be playing shortstop at the Double-A level,'' Baughman said, ``so yes, you could say I'm ahead of my timetable.'' It was during spring training that Baughman grabbed the attention of manager Terry Collins and Bowa. With Gary DiSarcina ``He's doing just fine over there,'' Collins said. ``He's earned the chance to play there. ``We liked his play at shortstop in the spring and then we decided to take a look at him at second base for a couple of games. We liked what we saw.'' Part of what they liked about Baughman was the way he attacked the position change, trying to learn as much as he could. ``I listen to Larry a lot and I watch a lot of things that Gary DiSarcina does as well,'' Baughman said. ``If I can do some of the things that Gary has done in his career, I'd consider myself a successful person.'' DiSarcina, who has played alongside a number of second basemen since coming up to stay in 1991, likes Baughman's potential. ``He's got a lot of upside,'' DiSarcina said. ``As far as being an example for him, that's up to him. I go out and do my job every day and if he watches what I do, then that's fine. I appreciate that if he sees me in that way.'' Some of the toughness from Bowa and DiSarcina must have rubbed off on Baughman. Earlier this season, Baughman took a line drive off his face that required 60 stiches. He missed just five games. ``A lot of guys might have missed two, maybe three weeks,'' Bowa said. ``He didn't want to come out, and who could blame him? He wants to stay here.'' ``I really didn't see any need to sit out,'' said Baughman. ``I didn't suffer any serious damage or anything and my instinct is to play every day.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Rookie Justin Baughman (11) has been a pleasant surprise for the Angels. Michael Caulfield/Associated Press |
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