Southern notes: Solak adding to his skill set
The trade from the New York Yankees to the Tampa Bay Rays caught Nick Solak off guard, especially since it came just two days into the 2016 second-rounder's first Major League camp."When I woke up that morning, I certainly didn't expect to be traded that night," the former University of
The trade from the New York Yankees to the Tampa Bay Rays caught
"When I woke up that morning, I certainly didn't expect to be traded that night," the former University of Louisville standout said. "Surprised, a little shocked, definitely."
What came next, though, wasn't nearly as unexpected, although Solak had played only second base during his one and a half seasons in the Yankees organization.
The Rays stress versatility and Solak, who had played most of his sophomore season at Louisville in the outfield, found himself taking fly balls as well as grounders shortly after making the drive from Tampa to Port Charlotte.
"They told me right away that I'd be getting reps in the outfield," said Solak, part of a three-way trade that also involved Arizona. "That I'd played there some in college certainly made it easier. I like it, and it adds versatility to my game. Being able to play multiple positions can only help you."
Playing both the infield and outfield means a lot more pregame work with the Montgomery Biscuits for Tampa Bay's No. 11 prospect, but the extra time spent working on defense hasn't hampered the 23-year-old at the plate.
Solak, who's yet to commit an error at second base or in the outfield, had a .308/.422/.488 slash line through 47 games, with 30 RBIs and 34 runs scored.
"He is very diligent in his preparation, and his strike zone management is outstanding," Montgomery manager Brady Williams said. "He rarely swings out of the strike zone, and when he gets pitches to hit he usually hits them hard somewhere. And he takes his walks. He does everything you'd want up there."
The right-handed-hitting Solak usually bats third in the Montgomery lineup, with left-handed hitter
Lowe, the Rays' No. 14 prospect, also is switching between his normal position at second base and the outfield while, like Solak, not suffering at all at the plate.
Lowe, a third-round pick out of the University of Maryland in the 2015 Draft, has a .283/.386/.520 slash line with eight homers -- two more than Solak -- and a Southern League-best 38 RBIs.
"I think they're feeding off each other," Williams said. "They are roommates, too, which makes for another dynamic. They are staying positive and helping each other knowing that they are going through the same thing."
That doesn't mean it's an easy workload to manage, though.
"I kind of compare it to being a switch hitter, where you have to do double work to be proficient on both sides of the plate," Williams said. "You have to do twice the work when you are going back and forth from the infield to the outfield."
Solak, who has good speed, adapted so well to left field that he is now also getting time in center with the Biscuits.
"Once we got confidence in his outfield play, we asked him if he wanted to play some center field and he said sure," Williams said. "Obviously the more places he can play the better off he's going to be moving forward. Having someone who can play center field and second base will always be nice for any manager.
"Nick isn't perfect yet in the outfield, but he's worked very hard and put in a lot of extra time, just like he has at second base with his footwork. In the long run, it should pay off for him and the organization."
Tampa Bay got Solak and three promising young pitchers --
The Yankees and D-backs are trying to win now, while the Rays are looking to the future. Solak could prove to be an important -- and versatile -- part of that for Tampa Bay.
In brief
Taking some big hits: Mobile's chances of catching Biloxi for the first-half title in the South Division were hurt when the Los Angeles Angels made a rash of promotions to Triple-A Salt Lake that included first baseman
Holding on at top: Chattanooga remained in first place in the North Division despite the promotion of shortstop
Up, then back down: Montgomery right-hander
Trying to get going: Jacksonville second baseman
Guy Curtright is a contributor to MiLB.com.