Giarraputo Looks Forward

BROOKLYN, NY - The career Nick Giarraputo has been a challenging one. The Cyclones infielder, originally a 12th round pick in the 2006 Draft, has experienced many ups and downs in his previous three years but stills brings a positive mindset to the ballpark while always looking ahead to new opportunities.

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Three years ago Nick Giarraputo was drafted on his potential. The feelings were that the Mets would be able to sculpt him into a skilled corner infielder. Fast-forwarding a bit to the time that the Cyclones opened their 2009 season, Giarraputo has already played 172 professional games. He is in a unique position in that he is one of the most experienced players on the team entering his fourth season as a 21-year-old.

He has not disappointed this season already driving in 12 runs in 16 games. Giarraputo has emerged as the team’s clean-up hitter and continues to display better pitch recognition and better patience behind the plate than in years past.

Giarraputo has never hit above .274 (2007 in Kingsport), but he and his coaches believe this year will be different.

“I have made the biggest adjustments just on the overall day to day parts of the game, on how to prepare myself day to day,” he said. “When I first showed up if I struggled for a game I would carry it with me for two, three days at a time and before I knew it I would be 0-12 in a big slump.

”I think the biggest thing is having a short memory and learning to play game to game without worrying what happened the night before,” he explained.

Cyclones hitting coach Jack Voigt agreed with his player’s assessment.

“For him it is getting good pitches to hit, getting good swings on the ball and not trying to do too much,’ said Voigt. “We have to simplify things a bit and it all comes down to getting a good pitch to swing at.”

“He has gotten better with his pitch selection and that always happens with all hitters as they start to improve their selection. Their swings basically decrease and they start to increase the perfection of the pitch that they swing at,” Voigt continued.

Giarraputo feels this may be the year that he finally takes the next step. He feels comfortable in Brooklyn and is in a position where the lineup relies on him to drive people in.

“I think it is a great atmosphere. I love it out here, it is the excitement of each game, and how important it is to win ballgames here, everything is tremendous. It is really fun to play with. It has all been great,” he detailed.

”You are trying to move up in the organization and you just have to keep on doing the right things. It is fun to learn. There are a lot of different opinions around and a bunch of great advice gets passed around,” Giarraputo added.

”There is a lot of knowledge here and I am picking up new stuff each year. From when I got drafted out of high school to now has been a huge leap for me and I am just trying to improve every day.”

“I am comfortable anywhere. It is great to be in the middle of that lineup and produce runs and RBIs but wherever the coaches want to put me I am ready to go out there and do a good job.”

Coach Voigt seems a little more secure that Nick has deserved himself a spot batting cleanup, at least for the time being.

“He is a guy who has got some good experience. He is a guy good for this league and good for the middle of our lineup and this club,” Voigt stated. “He plays solid defense and we expect him to do well. He is doing well so far and we hope he continues on. He has started off well enough that right now we like him in the middle of our lineup.”

Overall Voigt is happy with what he has seen and hopes Nick is able to continue to do what he has been doing.

“His improvements since Spring Training until now have been his biggest success. I’d like to see him to continue to have success and be consistent. The numbers sometimes lie as far as how good or how bad you have been doing, but quality of at bats and how well he swings the bat is what we look at,” the Cyclones hitting coach explained.

So as he develops into more of a polished hitter, he has been able to improve with his glove and awareness in the field. In high school Giarraputo was relied on as the ace of his staff so arm strength has never been a real issue, but currently his footwork takes priority.

“I would pinpoint my quickness as my biggest weakness. There is always something to work on. Discipline at the plate, (footwork) on defense, there is always something to be working on,” he explained.

“I have improved my foot quickness and my overall reaction to playing third base. I am working on my foot quickness, trying to get quicker, take better first steps and trying to get better everyday,” he explained.

“I have got to just keep going out there and working hard. Trying to be productive, whether it is on defense or offense, all I can want to do is be productive for the team.”

This is an important year for Giarraputo not only because of his role in Brooklyn’s lineup but because he has yet to truly dominate on any level in his professional career. A successful year can go a long ways towards raising his confidence as well as turning a few more heads within the organization.

“I just want to go out and have a successful year. To just go out and not worry about all of the stuff that is going on around me. Not worrying about who is in front of me and who is behind me, stuff like that, just what lies ahead. I am trying to play game to game,” he said.

”I didn’t do that too well last year and I struggled a bit. This year I have to just go game to game and just trying to have a good game every night.”

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