Eye of the Tiger

Defying the odds of history and tradition, Gabe Kapler has gone from a 57th-round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 1995 to a potential starting right fielder in the major leagues.

Never in Tiger history had a player been drafted so low and reached the majors.

That’s what the former Taft High and Moorpark College outfielder accomplished last September, when he played in seven games for the Tigers after being named the minor league player of the year by The Sporting News.

Kapler, 23, is poised to continue his rise when he seeks a starting job with the Tigers in spring training and tries to repeat his minor league success in the majors.

“I don’t expect anything given to me and never have,” Kapler said. “I just expect the opportunity to perform on the field.”

Last season, playing for Jacksonville in the double-A Southern League, he batted .322 with 28 home runs and a league-record 146 runs batted in.

Kapler graduated from Taft in 1993, received a scholarship to Cal State Fullerton, then dropped out. He missed a year of baseball before enrolling at Moorpark and becoming a weight-lifting fanatic.

“I learned a lot from my experience at Fullerton,” he said. “I went there with a terrible attitude. I was not focused. I didn’t know where my life was going. I had no direction. I was 18 years old, and when I look back on that time period, I get angry with myself.”

Armed with strength, speed and determination, Kapler is convinced he can make the adjustment to the majors.

“I went from being a 57th-round draft choice to the point I am today through hard work,” he said. “Baseball is a game that humbles you. You go through periods where you doubt yourself and those are the periods I try to cut down as much as I can. When I doubt myself, I’m not successful. When I go up there with a ‘I can do’ attitude, I get it done.”

In seven games for the Tigers, he had five hits in 25 at-bats.

“I learned the major difference [from the minors] is experience and being able to relax,” he said. “I know the next time I go up, I’m going to be more relaxed and I’m going to be more focused and be able to take more deep breaths.”

Already having exceeded expectations, Kapler is hoping to make 1999 another breakthrough year.

“I know it’s the highest competition, but I can’t get caught up in that,” he said. “I want to feel like I belong and I will.”