By Bill Kipouras
Mark Shorey doesn't read the local paper in town, The Memphis Commercial Appeal, so he's not sure about being recognized for some great stuff he's done playing baseball for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.
Nonetheless, the 24-year-old right fielder from Peabody has been a headliner for the St. Louis Cardinals' top affiliate. He's perhaps the surprise of the entire Cardinals' farm system; not many 31st round draft choices make it to his level.
It starts with a .315 batting average, which is only one point shy of leading the Redbirds. Defensively, he hasn't made an error in 59 games.
Shorey hit .373 in June, and is batting .326 when ahead in the count, .375 when behind in the count, .303 with the bases empty, .329 with runners on and .424 with runners in scoring position. Impressive numbers all. His OPS (a combined slugging and on-base percentage) is .797.
Despite those significant stats, the former Peabody High All-Scholastic and two-time Greater Boston League batting champion didn't expect to be chosen for the 22nd annual Triple-A All-Star Game, slated for July 15 at PGE Park in Portland, Ore., when the PCL squad takes on the International League All-Stars.
"Not at all, with two divisions and a lot of good players," Shorey said.
"I started off as a pinch hitter and didn't have much playing time. A coach told me I would be more or less off the bench, sort of low man on the totem pole. I was told if something happened I'd get a shot. You've got to remember this is a business; it's not Little League. Things do happen."
It was the first time in Shorey's baseball life that he wasn't an every play player in the early season.
"I give a lot of thanks to my dad (Dana) for reminding me about my approach (at bat). I had got away from some things I was doing. We talked every day for several weeks," said Shorey. "I'm not getting into what helped me — except I got a chance to play. I strayed away from something and got it back. You'll have to kill me (to find out)," Shorey said, laughing.
"I can't give out my secrets. I promised my father. I swore I wouldn't."
His production numbers are a bit down (3 HRs, 14 RBI and 13 walks in 149 at-bats), but those numbers are likely to improve. Shorey admitted he's always been a better hitter in the second half of the season, and expects to be again this summer.
The fact he's drawn only 13 bases on balls validates one evaluation on him: he's got to learn how to work a walk.
The 30 strikeouts he has in a half-season are a big improvement over the 110 he had at Double A Springfield in the Texas League last season. He finished ninth at .304 in Texas League batting, hitting .365 in August with a 10-game hitting streak that month.
"You've got to get a good pitch to hit," Shorey said. "Down in the count, I'm in a battle mood.
"I don't get paid to make out the lineups; that stuff is out of my control. All I can do is work my hardest and make the best of any opportunity I get. I was able to capitalize when an opening did come along."
