Deglan’s off-season busy as he climbs Rangers’ ladder
* Former No. 1 pick Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC) hit .227 with six home runs and 39 RBIs in 89 games with the class-A Hickory Crawdads …
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By Chris Toman
His winter wouldn’t have been complete without a little help from his friend.
Kellin Deglan spent much of his offseason working on his swing in British Columbia with Toronto Blue Jays prospect, and Canadian Senior National Team gold medalist, Michael Crouse.
Next, was a stop in Arizona to get some work in behind the plate — as he will do at the end of January when he heads to the Dominican Republic — before spring training arrives in February.
Deglan is aware of what the Texas Rangers organization expects from him and he’s made it apoint of emphasis to work on.
“Texas is one of those organizations that preach defence first, especially with the young catchers,” said Deglan, the Rangers’ 2010 first-round draft pick. “They always told me that my bat will come when I get older, but they were pretty happy with my defence and told me I had a good season.”
Last year, in his first full season in the minor leagues, Deglan hit .227/.320/.347 with six home runs and 39 RBIs over 89 games with the class-A Hickory Crawdads. While he experienced some difficulty at the plate, he did string together some good months, like in June, when he hit .321/.410/.491 over a 16-game stretch.
He believes his work behind the dish could make him a better offensive player by having a good feel for pitchers and knowing what types of patterns to look for.
“It definitely does help being a catcher,” said Deglan, who describes himself as a gap-to-gap hitter. “I learned a lot this past season. For example, I picked up what types of teams like to throw fastballs and where they like to locate them depending on the count. It seems like 80 percent of the pitchers in low A throw outside and that was one of my weak spots last year. I’m learning that I have to be able to drive the ball the other way consistently or teams will live on the outside corner against me.
“It gets stressful when you’re struggling but I’m learning to turn the page and stay humble no matter how good or bad I do.”
Like any player, Deglan loves turning on an inside fastball ── but he’s in his comfort zone when he’s calling for one instead.
“I enjoy the chess match and trying to get the hitters uncomfortable and off-balance,” the Langley B.C. native said of his responsibilities as a backstop. “I like seeing the whole field and being involved in every play. I love that.”
Before signing with the Rangers, Deglan was a star on the Canadian Junior National Team and believes, in addition to the impact it had on his overall game, he greatly matured as a person as a result. The demanding and highly competitive schedule the Junior National Team undertakes each year is a good precursor to the minor leagues for any player.
“He’s got a real good arm,” said Greg Hamilton, director of Canada’s national teams. “It’s a pure arm. He’s a left-handed hitter that has the making of power once he fills his frame out. His makeup is real good. He competes hard for you every day. He has a bright future in the game.”
One of Deglan’s goals is to remain behind the plate. He doesn’t want to become another catching prospect — and there are many — who are forced to switch positions because their glove doesn’t play as well as their bat.
“It’s very important to me to stay a catcher and continue working on my defence.” said Deglan. “It’s my favourite position and always has been since I was a kid. I want to make it to the big leagues as a catcher.”
The majors are a long way off for Deglan, but a promotion to class-A Myrtle Beach, may be in the cards this season.
If he continues on the right path, Hamilton can envision the two of them wearing the maple leaf together again in the future.
“I think Kellin’s a guy we would certainly look at down the road to be behind the plate with our senior clubs and anticipate someday in the World Baseball Classic for us,” said Hamilton.
If Hamilton’s theory proves true, there will be many more swinging sessions with Crouse on the horizon.
