SPRINGDALE --Northwest Arkansas catcher Parker Morin admitted he's endured some frustrations with injuries the past couple of years, but he's made big strides at the plate this season.
The 24-year-old missed more than half of this season thanks to a herniated disk in his back suffered in spring training. But lots of offseason work on his swing has paid big dividends for Morin and the Naturals.
At A Glance
Northwest Arkansas Naturals Championship Ticket
At Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
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Series Schedule
Midland leads series 2-0
Tuesday: Midland 5, Northwest Arkansas 2
Wednesday: Midland 8, Northwest Arkansas 6
Today: Midland (Frazier) at Northwest Arkansas (Farrell), 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: Midland (Sanchez) at Northwest Arkansas (Pounders), 2:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Sunday: Midland (TBA) at Northwest Arkansas (TBA), 2:05 p.m. (if necessary)
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He's come up with several big hits this season, including a walk-off RBI single to win Game 1 of the Texas League North Division Series against Arkansas.
The Naturals will need more from Morin and others as they return to Arvest Ballpark today trailing Midland 2-0 in the best-of-five Texas League Championship Series. The RockHounds, the defending Texas League champions, could close out the series in game three tonight. The first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Morin acknowledged he needed to get back to hitting to the opposite field more, so he visited with several of his former hitting coaches, going all the way back to high school. He hit just .206 in 55 games with the Naturals last season, but was also sidelined for about two months in the middle of the season because of a broken thumb.
"My main focus in the off-season was weights and the bat," Morin said. "Last year almost every one of my hits, and I didn't have many of them, I felt were to the right side of the field. Thinking back I didn't remember many hits where I was driving the ball to the opposite field gap. And that's my swing. That's when I feel good.
"I did a ton of work with the bat, but not just with the bat but with my approach and the mental side."
The 14th round draft pick out of Utah was excited for this season, but injured his back and was sidelined more than half the season. Luckily, the injury did not require surgery and he's made the most of his time with the Naturals this season, hitting .309 in 56 games. He has also been solid in the playoffs, going 7-for-17 with two huge RBIs.
Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson said Morin put in the work necessary to improve offensively and it's paid off.
"I think what you see in him, which is really neat, is a desire to hush some critics," Wilson said. "Not necessarily in our organization, but in the game some were saying 'All right, his bat's not ready for the level he's at.'
"He's done something about it. You've seen a kid really grow up and learn what to do to be a better hitter. His work ethic is second to none."
Morin's defense is no issue. Matter of fact, it's the reason he was pushed to Double-A last season, according to J.J. Picollo, the Kansas City Royals assistant general manager.
Picollo said in an interview in late June that he was hopeful Morin's bat would catch up to his defense this season.
That's exactly what's happened.
Morin's pleased with his improvement at the plate and the results. He and the Naturals will now try to make sure their season doesn't end tonight.
Sports on 09/18/2015