Derek Jeter recognized the social divides that developed in the clubhouses of his playing days between Spanish-speaking players and native English speakers, but since taking over the Marlins in Miami, where Spanish is omnipresent, Jeter has made it a priority to develop the language skills of everyone in the organization – including himself, per James Wagner of the New York Times. While emphasis is often placed on international players developing their English-language skills, Jeter’s programming ensures that the education highway runs in both directions. Major league players cannot be mandated to take language classes because of the collective bargaining agreement, but players in lower levels of the organization are now required to take classes, as are some coaches and Jeter himself, who attends a 90-minute weekly class with the executive team. The branding here is positive for Jeter, who has yet to make much headway in terms of fan engagement in Miami, but the internal benefits of a growing language program will have no end to its usefulness. Tangible effects may not reach the playing field for some time, but it’s encouraging nonetheless to see the Marlins taking a proactive approach to community engagement, emphasizing relationships with players from Latin America, and broadening avenues of communication within the organization. Let’s take a look at a couple of on-field situations throughout the league…
- After another lackluster start at the plate for Delino DeShields, he finds himself back in Triple-A to work on developing a more line drive approach at the plate, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Deshields is one of the fastest players in the league, fifth overall with 16 Bolts this season (individual run times of 30+ ft/sec sprint speeds) and ninth in Sprint Speed, per Statcast. His speed is obviously an asset in the field as well, where Statcast has him tied for 7th with three Outs Above Average this season (three four-star catches). None of which was enough to keep him in Texas after hitting .182/.321/.284 through 108 plate appearances. How much time the 26-year-old spends in Triple-A may have as much to do with his ability to drive the ball as it does Joey Gallo’s ability to stick in center. It’s certainly uncommon for a third baseman-turned-corner-outfielder to transition into center, but the hulking 6’5″ Gallo hasn’t looked wholly out of place for the Rangers thus far, -1 DRS and -0.3 UZR through 88 innings this season, but over 188 career innings as the outfield captain, Gallo grades out at 1 DRS, 1.4 UZR. Replacing DeShields, a career 77 wRC+ hitter, with Gallo’s 115 wRC+ upgrades center field offensively for Texas, but this is a head-to-head battle worth tracking as the season moves along.
- Chicago’s Kris Bryant finally found his power stroke for the Cubs, with credit going to his new Axe Bat, per The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma. Bryant never tapped into his power after returning from a shoulder injury last season as he finished the season with an uncharacteristically low, but still solid .188 ISO. He has hit four home runs in his last six games, raising his 2019 isolated power to .268, and while that would be a career high if he keeps it up all season, it’s closer to his career average of .232 ISO than his numbers from 2018. This season’s power surge tracks back to a broken bat on April 26th, when Bryant switched to an Axe Bat and promptly homered. An Axe Bat’s defining feature – you might guess – is a handle shaped more like the handle of an axe, though this particular handle is unique to Bryant, christened as the “Bryant Handle” as it was geared specifically towards Bryant’s rather unique grip. Whether it’s the bat, or something mental, or simply the strength in his injured shoulder finally being built back up to normal levels, a maintained resurgence of power from Bryant could make the difference for a Cubs lineup that has struggled at times since Bryant’s shoulder injury last season.
Jeter takes a lot of criticism, much of it well deserved, but this is a smart initiative he’s taking with the language classes, especially with him participating as well. It’s not just good PR, it’s good business.
Jeter just keeps on doing his thing. He was a class act as a player, and is one as a human being.
Hey folks how about giving him a few years with this team before the needless and vicious attacks.
The criticism of Jeter is unwarranted. Too soon to judge. About 2 years too soon.
The vicious attacks on him started the day it was announced his group was a finalist to purchase the Marlins.
Wasn’t the team initially gutted needlessly upon his arrival and please excuse me if am incorrect here, but wasn’t he also attempting to claim foreign residency to escape florida’s already low tax rates? is that an example of a class act?
Wrong. Most people jumped on the hate Jeter bandwagon after seeing the trades he made.
All classy guys don’t pay their taxes!
Funny. Wealthy Have been reading high tax states (NE, West coast) and heading to places like Florida with NO state income tax, low corporate taxes etc., yet here is this supposedly classy guy attempting to gain citizenship in a foreign country to avoid even that. Sounds opposite of that.
John way to cherry pick from the story. It’s the Marlins ownership group that are moving for this, and not just solely Jeter as an owner. This is not unprecedented in the business world under the origin of this ownership group, and where part of them started. Don’t try to make it look like as an individual Jeter is doing anything to avoid his personal taxes.
Hi Cereal. It was my understanding from when the story 1st broke out it was jeter himself and not Sherman. I admit glanced over an article before posting the 2nd time, but didn’t see anything about the entire group. is that what it was?
When saw the article here locally, it was regarding jeter, since they seem to be infatuated about many things NY (TB had ST for years at Tampa) and still have articles involving NY players, both past and present and it caught my eye awhile back.
On the other hand, save the praise for him until his team isn’t terrible?
How do you know what kind of “human being” he is? Do you know the guy?
Why do you care?
How’s the Yelich trade looking for Jeter?
How have all the trades the Mets made looking? By 2021 the Marlins will be a more profitable, and successful franchise than your Mets.
The trade was meant to clear payroll.
he has one of the most team friendly contracts in baseball. whatchu talkin about Willis?
Leading by example.
Now if Odor could just find his swing…..
What a time to be a Marlins fan. Everyone in agreement to anoint Jeter as the greatest owner of all time?
Rich coming from an Astros fan!
Thought Derek would learn Italian, as all you would hear on Yankee broadcasts was “Pasta Diving Jeter….”
That is some kinda funny right there.
weaselpuppy..what an apropos username.
I think De Shields is headed back to to AAA due to Hunter Pence’s outstanding play and hitting, not to learn line drive hitting. De Shields has a 76% contact rate vs Gallo’s 54%, but of course Gallo hits monster HR’s (at times). Texas may have the best bench in baseball with, Hunter Pence, Logan Forsyth and Danny Santana, all playing well. Pence deserves a spot on this team he is a walking hitting instructor with a 79% contact rate with timely hitting under pressure. A real example of what hard work accomplishes. Can he keep up the pace?, maybe he is 36 years old playing with the boys of summer.
But he hits everything on the ground and sees fewer pitches than most of the rest of the team. That says that he is not being selective and waiting for a good pitch. Does no good to make contact if it is bad contact and a weak grounder. With his speed if he is making that much contact he should be getting on base. Gallo has 13 more walks than DeShields, a higher OBP, and Gallo has yet to hit into a double play in which the speedster DeShields has 3. The guy needs to get some loft and start hitting some doubles or long singles. He will be dangerous if he can start doing that.