Stepping Up to the Coach's Box - Justin Tordi
Bench coach Justin Tordi can often be found in the first base coach's box when the Charleston RiverDogs are on offense. However, the second-year RiverDogs coach has already had many opportunities to step into a larger role while already fulfilling a big list of coaching duties.
Tordi joins manager Luis Dorante, pitching coach Carlos Chantres, and hitting coach Edwar Gonzalez on the 2014 RiverDogs staff. His job responsibilities regularly include aspects of opponent scouting, player development, and coaching at first base during games. Tordi also gets chances to replace Dorante at the pregame conference and in the third base coach's box.
"I'm basically Dorante's right-hand man," Tordi said. "Basically as the defensive coordinator and the baserunning coordinator here, it's preparing all the information for Luis on a daily basis going into the game so that he has all the information he needs to make decisions."
Tordi's in-game baserunning responsibilities depend on where he is coaching. When Tordi is at third base, he can set up plays like bunts and hit-and-runs and relay those signs to the players. At first base, Tordi is working with "time sets," studying pitches and pickoff moves from pitchers and catchers, while also helping Charleston's runners with reading the signs and the defense.
"You add those time sets up and, with the running times it takes for our guys, our base-stealers, to steal a base, if those time sets are adding up, we're putting guys in motion and trying to get as many stolen bases as we can," Tordi said.
With respect to the RiverDogs defense, Tordi does his best to put the RiverDogs in the right position to make plays. He utilizes spray charts and statistical splits on opposing hitters to analyze where and when opponents might likely hit the baseball. This is especially easy to see when the defense puts on a shift and moves their players around the infield and outfield.
Tordi can also work with individual RiverDogs to sharpen their defensive technique and prepare players for different spots. John Murphy has played every infield position and left field this season while Kale Sumner, primarily a catcher in 2014, has a background with utility work.
"With Murphy and Sumner, they bring a lot to the table," Tordi said. "It helps their value in the industry. With my experiences playing all the infield spots and catching, I've got a good grasp for the positions."
For three seasons, Tordi was the shortstop for the Florida Gators and earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2005 when Florida was the national runner-up. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds that year and played four seasons of minor league baseball in the Reds organization.
One of Tordi's stops was Single-A Dayton, which recently recorded its 1,000th consecutive sellout at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio. Tordi compared his experiences as a player for the Dayton Dragons with the high level of support that is present at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
"The fans here are outstanding, supporting our guys, coming out to the park every single night," Tordi said. "It gets them amped up. It's a lot better to play in front of a lot of people. You want to play to those standards on a daily basis."
This coaching staff looks at these players, many who are playing a full professional season for the first time, with goals to put them in good routines and continue their development so that they can move to the next level. For Tordi, a two-year coach who has spent both years in the Lowcountry, his dream is no different than any player who wants to reach the ultimate goal.
"My goals are the same thing as the players - I want to coach in New York," Tordi said. "It's always been a dream of mine…I just love my job and love being out at the ballpark every single day. There's nothing better, nothing beats it."