All-Star Experience Feels “Zo” Good

Posted by Jason Pafundi on Monday, July 13, 2009 at 11:01 am

For some quick perspective on how remarkable this season has been for Tampa Bay Rays jack-of-all-trades Ben Zobrist, consider this: he is the first player since 1954 to make the All-Star Game and start at six different positions during the season. 

Zobrist, now the Rays everyday second baseman, was named by his manager Joe Maddon, to his first All-Star team after batting .297 with 17 homers and 52 RBI, while trailing only Joe Mauer for the American League lead in slugging percentage.  Not bad for a kid who just six years ago was the team MVP of the Wisconsin Woodchucks in a summer league. 

“I’ve never been one to dream that big, but I know those kinds of things are possible,” Zobrist said.  “You never really consider [making an All-Star team] until you’re right at the doorstep of it.”

A couple of weeks ago, Zobrist was knocking on the door.  With the All-Star Game upon us, the “Zorilla” has blown the door right off.  He’ll be getting a lot of national attention on Monday and Tuesday, and he’s looking forward to every bit of it, while also maintaining the humble attitude he’s had his entire career.

“I just remember that you’re never as good as people say you are, and never as bad as people say you are,” he said.  “I don’t want to just make a splash and be done; I want to make a career of this, and make a long career of it.” 

Zobrist said for him, it’s important to remember the things that got him to this point, including working daily in the cage and “not getting too high or too low”. 

What is high for Zobrist this season is his power numbers.  In 1,336 minor league at-bats, Zobrist hit a total of 23 home runs.  Last season, he hit 12 in 198 at-bats, and his is on pace for over 30 this season.  Zobrist credits an offseason program for a huge part of his success.

Jamie Cevallos, the self-titled “swing mechanic”, said he took one look at Zobrist’s swing and instantly knew that he could help him.  When asked how many homers Zobrist could hit if given 500 at-bats, Cevallos didn’t hesitate: “30.” 

According to Maddon, the biggest difference in Zobrist this season, is that he is looking to “drive the ball to all fields”, rather than be a line drive or “spray” hitter. 

“He has confidence that he can hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Maddon said.  “He is the Zorilla.”

To casual fans, including some of his home team, Zobrist has come out of nowhere.  Though he started 49 games last season at five different positions, his yo-yoing between the bigs and Triple-A Durham kept him from establishing himself as a real Major Leaguer.  Until now.

Zobrist made the roster out of Spring Training and was projected as a utility guy off the bench.  Early in the season, Maddon would plug Zobrist into positions all over the field, calling him a “nice toy to have on the bench”.  Now that “toy” is playing everyday and has been mentioned as an MVP candidate in the American League. 

“He’s a guy that all 30 teams would want,” Maddon said.  “We are lucky to have him.”

A little bit of bad luck was needed for Zobrist to have had such an impact this year.  Rays starting second baseman Akinori Iwamura partially tore his ACL on May 22 trying to turn a double play against the Marlins.  The injury, first thought to be a complete tear, gave Maddon a spot to play Zobrist everyday, and since that time, he has started almost every game for the Rays.

The increased playing time and in turn, increased at-bats, have allowed Zobrist to put together an All-Star first-half, and even though Maddon isn’t sure whether Zobrist will even play on Tuesday, Zobrist is planning on enjoying every minute of the experience.

“I’m looking forward to everything,” Zobrist said,  “to mixing it up with some of the guys, and I’m looking forward to the whole aura of the experience.”