When Corey Myers got invited to attend the Arizona Fall League this year it
might have been the easiest move he's made all year, and trust us, there have
been quite a few.
There was the move to Hi A Lancaster of the California League. That was
fun, but Myers had barely unpacked when he was moved right back to extended
Spring Training with the Diamondbacks to start work on his next move, behind the
plate.
Myers was drafted #4 overall in 1999 and entered the Diamondbacks system as a
power hitting 3rd baseman. Now in his sixth year in the D'Backs
organization his bat is ready for the big leagues, but his position
wasn't. The emergence of Chad Tracy left the D'Backs with a problem.
The want Myers bat in the lineup, but they want Tracy's there too.
The answer was a move to catcher, a move that Myers brother, Casey, might
help make easier. Casey Myers played catcher at Arizona State University
and continues to strap on the tools of ignorance in the Oakland
organization. For Corey the move won't be easy, but he's certainly up for
the challenge. "I've only been back there about 20 or 25 games so
far. I'm getting more comfortable, but it is definitely an
adjustment."
From extended Spring Training his next move was to AAA Tucson, where Myers
had what has become a typical year for him, hitting .289 with seven homers and
25 RBI in just 180 at bats. "I was hurt a little bit, and so I didn't
get as many at bats, or reps behind the plate, as I wanted to, but the
invitation down here was good to get."
So from Tucson Myers came...back home. The Casa Grande native gets to
leave the park at the end of each day and head to his own bed, making this move
the sweetest of all. He told the MLB network that many of his friends,
family, and even former teachers have come to see him play, but the eyes he's
concerned with are the ones from the big league club.
"The D'Backs have people watching everyday. They are watching
everybody, but I know that as far as I'm concerned they are really watching my
progress behind the plate." Myers certainly has the tools to be a
great catcher. His arm and footwork at 3rd base has always been above
average, making the transition that much easier, and after all he can always
call his brother for advice. "Mostly it is the decision making that
I'm learning about as a catcher. What pitches to call in what situations,
how to handle different types of hitters. All stuff that just comes with
reps."
His bat continues to impress in the AFL. Through Friday's games Myers
was hitting .276 and had already cracked two homers in just 29 at bats.
It's that power that has the Diamondbacks saying they expect Myers to compete
not just for a spot on their roster in 2005, but for the starting job with Chris Snyder and Koyie Hill. Still for Myers it is a pretty simple
equation. "I look at guys like Robbie Hammock, who catches, plays
third and the outfield, and I realize the more places I'm comfortable playing
the more likely I am to make the big league club. That's why everybody is
down here [in the AFL], is to try and get better, make a good impression, get an
invite to Spring Training, and then make their big league club. You get to
the bigs as a utility guy, and then if you hit well enough they will find a
place for you to play everyday."