Faces on the Field: Chris Maples

Chris Maples played his first two games in the International League as if he were going to be the circuit's next big thing. Toledo's newest utility man, however, quickly discovered that two big games don't necessarily mean much on the road to the Major Leagues.

Maples, who the Tigers selected in the sixth round of the 2002 draft, had four hits in eight at-bats, including a homer, double and three RBIs in his first two games after being promoted from Double-A Erie to the Mud Hens. But he's gone 3-for-26 in 11 games since, with the adjustment to Triple-A ball not coming as easily for the North Carolina native as it did that first week against Louisville.

"I was seeing the ball well, and it was just carrying over from where I left off [at Erie]," said Maples, who reached base in his final seven Double-A games, collecting eight hits over that stretch. "It just started dying off, just like hitting does. The main thing I have to do is just stay consistent and avoid riding that roller coaster."

"Getting called up was kind of a surprise but I figure if I just play hard, everything else will take care of itself," said Maples. "I only have 30 or so at-bats [with Toledo], so two hits here and two hits there can raise an average a long ways."

Maples had been hitting .253 overall (20 points higher than his career average) with Erie, and had 10 homers and 38 RBIs. He is still on a pace to collect a career-high home run total -- he had 17 in the Florida State League in 2004 -- and is hoping to prove to the Tigers that he can be the perfect utility man, not only in Toledo but a few miles up the interstate in Detroit as well.

Joe McEwing, the king of utility men in the last 20 years, seems to be the perfect role model for Maples. McEwing has spent considerable time in the big leagues making himself invaluable, and Maples seems to be following suit. The only positions he hasn't played this season are pitcher, catcher and center field, and it only seems like a matter of time before he makes an appearance as the latter two.

"I guess one of my big strengths is the fact that I am a super utility guy," said Maples. "I can play all over and when they need me, I'm there to contribute. When I started out in Erie I was a backup guy, but when I got in there and started to produce, I made the coach play me and started to do well."

"It's tough when you have a hot bat in the lineup to take it out," said Maples. "When you have the opportunity, you have to take advantage of it. And I feel comfortable playing any position."

Actually, before anyone writes off Maples, 26, as an emergency pitcher, know this. He was a closer at North Carolina, posting a 2.45 ERA and collecting five saves in 21 games during his final season as a Tar Heel. The Tigers actually drafted him as a pitcher and he did pitch 2/3 of an inning last year for Erie.

When he signed, however, he told the Tigers he preferred hitting to pitching so the switch was made. And while Maples admits that he can always fall back on pitching, heading out to the mound again on a full-time basis hasn't crossed his mind.

Maples, who missed the latter part of the 2005 season with a broken bone in his hand, is the first to admit that he doesn't belong in Detroit -- yet. But he's comfortable with the path he's set for himself and, like everyone else in the organization, is enjoying the rebirth the parent club is having this season.

While he's struggling just a bit now, he knows it won't last. Such slumps never do. He's making adjustments to Triple-A pitching and is busy proving himself to be invaluable by playing a bevy of positions.

"I don't know what the best route is for me [position wise], but that's what I like about being a utility guy," said Maples. "Maybe [the Tigers] need a left fielder; maybe they need a third baseman. Maybe they need a second baseman."

"I don't know where I'd settle down if I had to pick one spot," said Maples. "It all depends on the organization and where they'd want to plug someone in. And that's an advantage on my part."