View Full Version : A Brief Chat with Eric Hosmer's Coach
Greg Pappas
05-02-2008, 11:58 AM
Another in a series of short conversations, this time with Eric Hosmer's high school coach, Coach Fitzgerald.
American Heritage is in the playoffs now and Cach Fitzgerald informed me that Eric has been hitting in the two hole. Interesting.
On a team featuring many Division 1 talents, he said that Eric is the best hitter easily, and the best he's ever seen. He informed me that Hosmer touched 98mph off the mound a few days ago and has a big arm at 1B, as well as being a tremendous defender. When I told him that I've had Hosmer as my 'personal' #1 overall rated prospect for the upcoming draft, he was impressed.
One of the interesting points he made was that Eric takes a walk with the best of them. A great eye, great power that will improve with age/experience and a great kid, a yes-sir, no-sir kid. He told me that Eric is just a real good kid, real nice.
Hosmer and Tim Beckham are both outstanding talents, and just as good people. A factor that cannot be undervalued. :)
DocJJ
05-02-2008, 12:16 PM
My understanding is he's relatively mobile (even has some stolen bases to his name). If he can hit 98 MPH on the mound, wouldn't he be better off in the outfield or at 3rd base with that cannon of an arm? Let a big fat slow guy man first base.
Greg Pappas
05-02-2008, 12:23 PM
My understanding is he's relatively mobile (even has some stolen bases to his name). If he can hit 98 MPH on the mound, wouldn't he be better off in the outfield or at 3rd base with that cannon of an arm? Let a big fat slow guy man first base.
He is mobile, and an excellent baserunner, but he's not that mobile. Eric could play third I guess, but he's especially well suited for 1B. Having a big arm and being an excellent defender at 1B is a major bonus. It adds to his value in my eyes.
Third? Isn't he a lefty?
If he's a lefty and he's that great defensively at first, I would definitely leave him there. If he's a righty I would probably see if he can handle 3B or RF.
wayne25
05-02-2008, 12:41 PM
Another in a series of short conversations, this time with Eric Hosmer's high school coach, Coach Fitzgerald.
American Heritage is in the playoffs now and Cach Fitzgerald informed me that Eric has been hitting in the two hole. Interesting.
On a team featuring many Division 1 talents, he said that Eric is the best hitter easily, and the best he's ever seen. He informed me that Hosmer touched 98mph off the mound a few days ago and has a big arm at 1B, as well as being a tremendous defender. When I told him that I've had Hosmer as my 'personal' #1 overall rated prospect for the upcoming draft, he was impressed.
One of the interesting points he made was that Eric takes a walk with the best of them. A great eye, great power that will improve with age/experience and a great kid, a yes-sir, no-sir kid. He told me that Eric is just a real good kid, real nice.
Hosmer and Tim Beckham are both outstanding talents, and just as good people. A factor that cannot be undervalued. :)
thanks for these reports: Hosmer is my # 1 also. Fits the need and a great power bat. If the coach said he wasn't the best he'd ever seen, you'd have to ask who was.:)
baltimoriole
05-02-2008, 01:03 PM
I really like that both Beckham and Hosmer are good people. As I get older the characteristic of being a good person is becoming more and more important to me. I'm sick and tired of arrogant and boisterous athletes, especially in baseball, which is a tradition based, grass-roots type of game. Seeing players like Wieters and Jones coming to the team make me really excited because not only are they extremely talented they are also cordial and appear to be good hearted people.
For those reasons I’d be delighted if either Beckham or Hosmer were picked. As a side note the board has mentioned how Rowell has attitude problems and is dis-liked by the team because he’s prideful and unfriendly. I only hope that his poor performance this year and lack of progress has humbled him so as to make it easier to cheer for him if he makes it to the big leagues.
wayne25
05-02-2008, 05:51 PM
I really like that both Beckham and Hosmer are good people. As I get older the characteristic of being a good person is becoming more and more important to me. I'm sick and tired of arrogant and boisterous athletes, especially in baseball, which is a tradition based, grass-roots type of game. Seeing players like Wieters and Jones coming to the team make me really excited because not only are they extremely talented they are also cordial and appear to be good hearted people.
For those reasons I’d be delighted if either Beckham or Hosmer were picked. As a side note the board has mentioned how Rowell has attitude problems and is dis-liked by the team because he’s prideful and unfriendly. I only hope that his poor performance this year and lack of progress has humbled him so as to make it easier to cheer for him if he makes it to the big leagues.
Couldn't agree more.
Greg Pappas
05-02-2008, 06:12 PM
I really like that both Beckham and Hosmer are good people. As I get older the characteristic of being a good person is becoming more and more important to me. I'm sick and tired of arrogant and boisterous athletes, especially in baseball, which is a tradition based, grass-roots type of game. Seeing players like Wieters and Jones coming to the team make me really excited because not only are they extremely talented they are also cordial and appear to be good hearted people.
For those reasons I’d be delighted if either Beckham or Hosmer were picked. As a side note the board has mentioned how Rowell has attitude problems and is dis-liked by the team because he’s prideful and unfriendly. I only hope that his poor performance this year and lack of progress has humbled him so as to make it easier to cheer for him if he makes it to the big leagues.
Good post. I'm unaware of Rowell's issues, but if true let's hope he outgrows it.