Kuzmic Flourishes in Utility Role

Some people would have a problem reporting to work each day, never knowing what their role was going to be. Craig Kuzmic never had a problem with that.

As long as his name was on the lineup card, the former La Quinta High and Cypress College standout didn’t care where he played--catcher, first base, second, third, outfield or designated hitter.

But last year, his second with the Mariners’ organization, Kuzmic learned that his versatility stopped being an asset when he stopped hitting. Kuzmic hit only .204 in his first 32 games with Lancaster--Seattle’s high Class A team--and he hit the bench.

He was a man without a position and a man without a job. The Mariners sent Kuzmic down a level to Wisconsin in the Midwest League, where he played everywhere but continued to struggle at the plate. He struck out 84 times in 323 at-bats.

For Kuzmic, the highlight came on the last day of the season when he played all nine positions in a 3-2 victory over Beloit. Kuzmic began the game catching and finished it by pitching the ninth inning and notching the save.

“It was all my idea,” Kuzmic said. “They went for it because we had the playoffs clinched already. It was an interesting and fun day.”

But it was the least fun Kuzmic has ever had playing baseball.

“It was a real bummer,” Kuzmic said. “I think I was trying to do too much. I had changed my swing and I lost my confidence. I tried everything. Opening up my stance, bringing my hands down.”

He spent the entire off-season trying to regain his stroke, working with Lancaster hitting coach Dana Williams and manager Mark Parent.

“They told me to just go back to my old swing,” said Kuzmic, who hit .280 in Class A Everett, Wash., in 1998.

It worked.

Kuzmic, 23, began the season hitting everything in sight and he hasn’t stopped yet. Through 114 games, he is ranked among the top five in six different hitting categories in the California League--tied for first in runs scored (90), tied for second in extra base hits (48), third in RBIs (88), fourth in slugging percentage (.516) and fifth in hits (138) and on-base percentage (.402).

An eighth-round pick out of Texas A&M; in 1998, Kuzmic is still without a true position. He has played everywhere but center, shortstop and pitcher.

But now he’s back on the fast track to the majors.

“I like being the utility guy,” he said. “If it will get me to the big leagues faster, that’s all that matters.”

Ben Looper, Seattle’s director of player personnel, said what matters most is Kuzmic’s ability to catch.

“We have a guy on our roster, Raul Ibanez, who we kept because he can catch,” Looper said. “He hasn’t played there in a big league game yet, but the potential is there. As long as he continues to hit, he’ll keep moving along.”

NOTABLE

Two Reading Phillies with county connections have made Baseball America’s best tools team in the double-A Eastern League. Brandon Duckworth (Cal State Fullerton) was honored for having the league’s “best breaking pitch.” Eric Valent (Canyon High and UCLA) was rated as having the league’s “best outfield arm.”

Former Cypress College and Fullerton High standout Keith Ginter is among the candidates for Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year award. The second baseman with the double-A Round Rock Astros is hitting .344 with 23 homers and 84 RBIs.