News
Brignac poised for breakthrough season
Finally comfortable in Majors, infielder looks to stick with Rays
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
11/18/09 1:09 PM EST
ST. PETERSBURG -- Reid Brignac gave Rays fans snapshots of the future this season during several stints with the big league club.On May 22, he collected his first Major League hit against the Marlins in Miami; three days later at Cleveland, the rookie collected his first Major League RBI; and on June 12 against the Nationals, he stole his first career base.
But it wasn't until his third stint with the Rays this season that Brignac really seemed to get comfortable, and the results showed. Particularly on Sept. 14 against the Orioles in Camden Yards.
Tampa Bay carried an 11-game losing streak into the contest that saw Brignac get a rare chance to start at shortstop, with everyday shortstop Jason Bartlett at designated hitter that night. Brignac took advantage of the opportunity with a 4-for-4 night, which included his first Major League home run, a single, two doubles and a stellar play in the sixth when he went deep into the hole to rob Melvin Mora of a base hit.
Brignac ripped his second double down the right-field line to where it initially appeared he had a chance for a triple, which would have earned him the distinction as the first Rays player in team history to hit for the cycle (Note: B.J. Upton became the first player in team history to hit for the cycle on Oct. 2 against the Yankees).
Brignac hit .278 with one home run and six RBIs in 31 games for Tampa Bay in 2009. Come spring, the native of St. Amant, La., will report to Rays camp in Port Charlotte, Fla., with his first legitimate chance to make the team.
Akinori Iwamura's trade to the Pirates opened up some interesting possibilities for the Rays at second base and for the utility role. The most likely of those scenarios will see Ben Zobrist used at second base and right field. Tampa Bay will need a second baseman for the days when Zobrist plays right and it'll also need a backup shortstop, since Zobrist will likely pass on those duties. Thus, Brignac and Sean Rodriguez will be the top candidates to fill that role.
Brignac, 23, now appears ready to become a Major Leaguer and, finally, he feels as if he belongs.
"Now that I've been given the opportunity to play, and I've had some success, I feel like I'm capable of being an everyday guy and playing," Brignac said. "I just want to keep working at it and see what happens."
| "What stood out about this guy is his makeup -- it's outstanding." |
| -- Rays manager Joe Maddon |
While the abbreviated stint didn't turn out exactly as Brignac hoped it would, Rays manager Joe Maddon saw something he liked.
"What stood out about this guy is his makeup -- it's outstanding," said Maddon, who referenced a big game against the Yankees when he went to the mound to meet with the pitcher and saw how relaxed Brignac seemed to be. "That was a nice moment."
Though Brignac got knocked back a peg in 2008, he didn't lose his confidence. He did acknowledge there was a difference between Major League and Triple-A pitching.
"The pitchers were more consistent with their pitches," Brignac said. "Of course that's the big leagues, so they're the best pitchers in the world."
Brignac returned to Triple-A Durham to start the 2009 season with the right attitude.
"I knew I had a lot more to work on coming into this year, to get that opportunity," Brignac said. "I felt like I've had success at Triple A and here. I know I've improved offensively in a couple of areas I wanted to improve in -- cutting down on the strikeouts, getting more walks and being more patient. It's still an ongoing task for me, but it's gotten better."
After working hard during the offseason, Brignac plans on showing up to camp ready to compete, whether he's playing shortstop, second base or even the outfield, a position he hasn't played for the Rays, but a position he's familiar with playing.
"Never played any outfield [for the Rays]," Brignac said. "But I'll work on it just in case. I played outfield in high school and signed with LSU to play center field. So it's definitely something that I'm not opposed to. I'll do whatever it is and whatever it takes."
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
