Barajas Enjoying New Gig

Rod Barajas' past two months of the baseball season could be described as hectic, but rewarding.

He began the season as Lake Elsinore's hitting instructor, which was the ideal situation. Not only was he helping develop players, the San Diego Padres' Single-A affiliate was within minutes of his Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.) home.

On June 17, things got a little wild briefly as a major change occurred. Padres' manager Bud Black was fired and reshuffling followed. San Antonio Missions manager Jamie Quirk was promoted to Triple-A El Paso and that opened the door for Barajas to take over the Double-A squad.

Barajas has barely had time to catch his breath since then, but he is relishing the moment. After all, being a manager is something he wanted to do after his 14-year major league playing career ended.

"All along my heart's been in managing," Barajas said. "When this opportunity popped up I was about 99 percent sure this is what I wanted to do. I just had to run it by my wife (Stacie). It was about a 10-second conversation. She said 'yeah, what are you asking me for? You want to manage and this is your opportunity.' It was kind of a no brainer."

Barajas, who had a brief stint as skipper for the Padres' Rookie Level Arizona League team before moving to Lake Elsinore as hitting instructor a year ago, realized quickly running a team was different than being a hitting instructor. However, he has groomed for the role.

Because of his time as a major league catcher with Arizona (1999-2003), Texas (2004-06), Philadelphia (2007), Toronto (2008-09), the New York Mets (2010), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2010-11) and Pittsburgh (2012) he has a wealth of baseball knowledge.

As a catcher, Barajas knew how to work with pitchers and keep everything running smoothly. No doubt that's a plus when being in charge of a team.

"Being a catcher you're used to leading," said Barajas, who batted .235 with 136 home runs and 480 RBI for a career which included being part of the Diamondbacks' 2001 World Series championship squad. "I thought that was one of my strengths. You see the whole field. You have a relationship with the offensive and defensive players. But you also have to have a relationship with the pitching staff.

"As a catcher you were always that go between. If there was something with the pitching where they weren't too happy with the defense you were the guy who could go in there and get everybody on the same page. You have to know what makes hitters tick and what makes pitchers tick. A catcher is almost a therapist because he has to deal with different personalities. The last plus was being bilingual. I was able to communicate with the Latin guys. As a manager that's your job. You have to understand the team as a whole."

Mainly, Barajas has a passion for what he is doing, especially when it comes to helping young players strive for their dream of being major leaguers. Barajas knows what it takes to get there and the challenges players go through in the minor leagues.

 His role is to make it go as smooth as possible.

"A lot of these guys know I wasn't a high draft pick," Barajas said. "I had to earn my way to the big leagues. That is what I want them to understand. I want them to know I had to figure out a way. When I got my chances I had to take advantage of them. I want these guys to know I am in their corner."

Barajas' approach is simple.

He expects total commitment but at the same time the Missions' manager tries to make a comfortable atmosphere.

"I'm trying to have a relationship with all the players," Barajas said. "I try to build a bond and keep things loose and relaxed.

"Sometimes they have trouble understanding everything you do as a manager. But you're trying to help them become better players. I try not to be confrontational. It's me relaying information to them."

The players appear to be responding to that approach.

"He helped me a lot as a hitting coach," said Missions' catcher Adolfo Reina, who was with Barajas at Lake Elsinore last season and the early part of this year. "Now, he's our manager and he expects more from you. But he is still there to help me on my game. I enjoy playing for him."

Although this is his first time to manage at the Double-A level, Barajas is fitting in nicely. Pitching coach Jimmy Jones and hitting coach Morgan Burkhart have helped make a smooth transition. However, he is familiar with the Texas League after playing for the El Paso Diablos (Arizona's Double-A affiliate) in 1999.

From his experience as a player and manager, Barajas knows this is the level where pro baseball gets serious.

 "I was talking to Jamie (Quirk) before I came up here and he said it was real baseball," said Barajas, who was a Texas League All-Star in 1999 after batting .318 with 14 homers and 95 RBI. "This is what we're used to. The game speeds up at this level. The game is a lot crisper. They're almost there. This is where they're close to making the jump to the big leagues.

"At the same time there's a lot of moments in every single game where you can teach and the players can learn. I love that part of it. If I can help them out then I have done my job."

Barajas is making a difference in a short period of time. The Missions have gone through hot and cold spells since his arrival, but those close to the situation see strides being made from the new manager.

"Going from the hitting guy to the manager is different, but I think the transition has been easy for him," Jones said. "He has a lot of experience. He knows what it takes mentally and physically to succeed. It is different being a manager, because things happen quickly. It happens when you're catching, too, and I think being at the position is a benefit for him. He has a feel for the game and handles it well." 

So far, Barajas likes what he sees. The Missions skipper would welcome more wins, but he is seeing progress from a number of players. Recently, he had the thrill of telling pitcher Colin Rea, infielder Casey McElroy and catcher Jason Hagerty they were being promoted to Triple-A. Sometime down the road, he looks forward to informing one of his players they're going to the Show.

"It was great telling them," Barajas said. "Those are the great moments when you call a player up and tell them they're one step away from their dream."

Barajas has another skill to being a successful manager. This one has nothing to with baseball. Being the father of eight children (four boys, four girls) between the ages of two and 19 he deals with different personalities on a regular basis. He manages to keep the ship running smoothly and expects that technique to come in handy in his profession.

"They say handling players is like handling your kids," said Barajas with a laugh. "You need to know what makes them tick and their personalities. You need to know the best way to approach each one of them. I can say for a fact it is different with every single one of my kids. They're all unique and different. You approach it differently. You need to do the same here."