Slade Heathcott is locked in. The RailRiders lead-off hitter has an average at .330 sits in the top 5 in the International League in hits and top 10 in RBI, and leads Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in total bases thru the first week of May.
"As a lead-off guy you are trying to see as many pitches as you can.Also you are trying to help the guys out behind you, and get on base as much as possible, and that just goes back to seeing good pitches," said Slade Heathcott.
In 2013 the Yankees added Heathcott to the 40 man roster. One year later left without a contract, and then this past January a minor league deal.
"I'm just going out and trying to be consistent everyday and just really enjoying the process. Not too long ago I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to play again. So now I'm just trying to take that into account everyday and just play smart and play hard at the same time and respect the people who I'm playing around and respect the game, and just try to do that every single day," again said Slade.
The Yankees first round draft choice in 2009 ( 29th overall)- Heathcott is yet to play in the big leagues. It's not based on his ability, but health reasons-injuries have slowed down the progress of this 24-year-old.
"He's got all the talent in the world. I think that's the big key. The health has been a plus. He feels good. He's had a day off here and there, but he continues to give great at bats leading off for us setting the tone. We just need to get the middle of the lineup driving him in and scoring him a few more times," said Dave Miley.
Like up and downs in baseball Slade's personal journey thru high-school involved issues inside the home and personal battles with alcohol abuse.
"We all go thru things in life. We all have tough times rough patches. You know I made a lot of immature decisions. I grew up from those. I try not to make those same mistakes everyday, or make them again after I made them the first time, but we go thru things in life for a reason to prepare us for things we are going to face later in life and that's what I believe, and it's helped me mature and become a better baseball player and better person off the field," added Slade.