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Humble Weeks knocking on the door

By: Danny Parker

 


Sometimes there are players that you know are destined for great things. 

Sometimes players think they are destined for great things. 

All too often players who are merely 19 or 20 years old playing minor league baseball carry a swagger as if they are already doing commercials with Randy Johnson or Sammy Sosa. One current Chicago Cub outfielder came out of a Double-A clubhouse one night only a couple years after being drafted, after a game one night proclaimed, “Just one guys. Only signing one (card) apiece.” 

Those are the kinds of players that give the game itself a bad name. Who cares what kinds of tools they have or if they remind some of a younger Barry Bonds? 

One player who has the hype but not the attitude to go with it is Rickie Weeks. 

“Some people are like that,” Weeks said. “I was raised differently I guess. The whole thing is to just go play ball. There are not too many things you can say about yourself.” 

Weeks, who prepped at Lake Brantley High in Altamonte Springs, Fla., was snatched up with the second overall pick in the 2003 draft. A couple months later, Weeks became the first Brewer draftee in franchise history to ink a five-year big league contract, which included a $3.6 million signing bonus. 

The humble Weeks, who followed Rickey Henderson and the Oakland A’s in his younger years, tabbed his family when citing who got him to where he is today.  

“The biggest influence in my life probably would be my parents. They set me on the straight forward path to try and get things done in the right way.” 

Weeks brought his talent with him to the professional ranks as he batted .358 in 67 minor league at bats before capping off the 2003 season with two hits in 12 at bats with Milwaukee. 

“It was just a great experience for me,” Weeks said of his time in the majors. “Hopefully, I can get back to the stadium. And, hopefully it will be soon.” 

There has been some talk of moving Weeks to center field in the future. I personally think that simply because you have a large frame and a big bat, it doesn’t mean that you project better at a different position. Rickie backs up such claims as he has just eight errors in his first 76 games in Double-A Huntsville this season. On top of that, there is a logjam of talent in the Brewer outfield as it is. 

Milwaukee just extended Geoff Jenkins’ contract. Scott Podsednik made a run at NL Rookie of the Year in ’03 and should easily swipe 50 bases this season. Dave Krynzel, Brad Nelson, Corey Hart and Tony Gwynn Jr. all hope to prove something to men like general manager Doug Melvin and manager Ned Yost in the spring of ’05. 

There is always the age-old adage that says that if you can hit, they will find a spot for you. If Junior Spivey is still in Milwaukee when Rickie is ready, we may see Weeks take a few balls at another position until second is vacated. You don’t keep hitters as disciplined as Weeks in Triple-A.  

Talented players like Wilson Betemit have proven that they can field, run and throw with the big boys but striking out 180 times in a season is no longer acceptable with on-base percentage being a driving force in the minds of many young GMs. Rickie’s watchful eye projects to a .375 or better OBP in the majors. Think bulkier Craig Biggio. 

Until Weeks gets his spot, he is adept at learning from the big boys whether it be during infield practice in Arizona in March or at Miller Park during a September call-up. “(Craig Counsell and Spivey) just try and make everything easier than it seems. Take everything step-by-step. They are great guys. They showed me bits and pieces of the game that hopefully I might be using in the future.” 

Rickie Weeks future is undoubtedly bright. Just don’t expect him to tell you about it. 

Questions/Comments on this article?? Send them to Danny Parker.


 

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