Larson set to fill big shoes for Patriots
1970-01-01
RARITAN TOWNSHIP — Brandon Larson feels at home filling other people's big shoes.
Larson replaced an All-American shortstop at Louisiana State University and became a College World Series most valuable player.
He was the Opening Day third baseman for the 2003 Cincinnati Reds, who shifted Aaron Boone to second base to make room for their former first-round draft choice.
Larson now is the expected starting Opening Day third baseman for the Somerset Patriots, a role reserved for Jeff Nettles each of the past five seasons.
But as spring training opened Tuesday at the Jack Cust Baseball Academy, there was no less denying Larson's presence than there was Nettles' absence.
"There are going to be comparisons, no doubt about it," said Larson, who was the chattiest player on the field and also put on the best show during batting practice. "But I don't look at it like that. I know what Jeff did for Somerset and he's a heck of a ballplayer. I hope that I can be as good as I can be."
The 31-year-old slugger first came to the Patriots last July and made an immediate impact during the push for the playoffs and the Atlantic League South Division second-half title. He hit .333 with six doubles, six home runs and 27 RBI in 33 games despite battling knee trouble.
Projecting those numbers over a 140-game season for a healthy Larson is an exciting prospect to manager Sparky Lyle.
"It's a matter of keeping him healthy and using him at DH now and then, but I expect him to put up big numbers," Lyle said. "He probably hit the ball today as good as any hitter out here. He had such a good two or three months that I think he can still play."
Larson, who mulled retirement during 2007, entertained offers to play this season in Taiwan or Mexico, but instead opted for the frequent exposure to major-league scouts provided by a return to Somerset.
"When you get to be my age, I'm playing independent baseball, but if I didn't think I could still play at the major-league level I wouldn't be doing it any more," said Larson, whom the Washington Nationals released from Double-A after he struggled through 52 games for a last-place team in 2007. "Playing in Somerset got me rejuvenated because I (had been) in (affiliated) ball and not feeling good about everything. I was going backwards instead of forwards."
Larson was so anxious to return to the Patriots that when the team nearly re-signed Nettles during the offseason, Larson easily agreed to relinquish playing time at third base so long as he remained in the lineup.
When Nettles signed with the Baltimore Orioles, Larson had secured his desired job.
As he blasted balls over the fences Tuesday, he looked capable of suppressing any longing for Nettles by being ready to match the production of arguably the franchise's best player.
"Somerset blew me away last year," Larson said. "The front office and fans made me feel really at home."
ROSTER COMPLETED:
Right-handed pitcher Travis Minix, infielder Matt Hagen and catcher Michael Muscato joined the team Tuesday, meaning 29 players are in camp.
Minix last played at Triple-A for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006, Hagen spent last season in the independent Frontier League and Muscato only has one year of professional experience.
The Patriots need to trim the active roster to 25 by Opening Day, April 25.
REITH RUNNING LATE:
Starting pitcher Brian Reith was the only player who did not report, but unlike last season when it turned out two no-shows had opted for retirement, Reith is expected to join the team later this week. The arrival of the 30-year-old former Cincinnati Red is being delayed for "personal reasons."
CROWD SURFING:
Among the small crowd of people watching the Patriots first-ever spring training practice in New Jersey was Justin Jensen, who pitched parts of five seasons for the team, and is their career leader in victories and innings. He works as a pitching instructor at the academy.
Larson replaced an All-American shortstop at Louisiana State University and became a College World Series most valuable player.
He was the Opening Day third baseman for the 2003 Cincinnati Reds, who shifted Aaron Boone to second base to make room for their former first-round draft choice.
Larson now is the expected starting Opening Day third baseman for the Somerset Patriots, a role reserved for Jeff Nettles each of the past five seasons.
But as spring training opened Tuesday at the Jack Cust Baseball Academy, there was no less denying Larson's presence than there was Nettles' absence.
"There are going to be comparisons, no doubt about it," said Larson, who was the chattiest player on the field and also put on the best show during batting practice. "But I don't look at it like that. I know what Jeff did for Somerset and he's a heck of a ballplayer. I hope that I can be as good as I can be."
The 31-year-old slugger first came to the Patriots last July and made an immediate impact during the push for the playoffs and the Atlantic League South Division second-half title. He hit .333 with six doubles, six home runs and 27 RBI in 33 games despite battling knee trouble.
Projecting those numbers over a 140-game season for a healthy Larson is an exciting prospect to manager Sparky Lyle.
"It's a matter of keeping him healthy and using him at DH now and then, but I expect him to put up big numbers," Lyle said. "He probably hit the ball today as good as any hitter out here. He had such a good two or three months that I think he can still play."
Larson, who mulled retirement during 2007, entertained offers to play this season in Taiwan or Mexico, but instead opted for the frequent exposure to major-league scouts provided by a return to Somerset.
"When you get to be my age, I'm playing independent baseball, but if I didn't think I could still play at the major-league level I wouldn't be doing it any more," said Larson, whom the Washington Nationals released from Double-A after he struggled through 52 games for a last-place team in 2007. "Playing in Somerset got me rejuvenated because I (had been) in (affiliated) ball and not feeling good about everything. I was going backwards instead of forwards."
Larson was so anxious to return to the Patriots that when the team nearly re-signed Nettles during the offseason, Larson easily agreed to relinquish playing time at third base so long as he remained in the lineup.
When Nettles signed with the Baltimore Orioles, Larson had secured his desired job.
As he blasted balls over the fences Tuesday, he looked capable of suppressing any longing for Nettles by being ready to match the production of arguably the franchise's best player.
"Somerset blew me away last year," Larson said. "The front office and fans made me feel really at home."
ROSTER COMPLETED:
Right-handed pitcher Travis Minix, infielder Matt Hagen and catcher Michael Muscato joined the team Tuesday, meaning 29 players are in camp.
Minix last played at Triple-A for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006, Hagen spent last season in the independent Frontier League and Muscato only has one year of professional experience.
The Patriots need to trim the active roster to 25 by Opening Day, April 25.
REITH RUNNING LATE:
Starting pitcher Brian Reith was the only player who did not report, but unlike last season when it turned out two no-shows had opted for retirement, Reith is expected to join the team later this week. The arrival of the 30-year-old former Cincinnati Red is being delayed for "personal reasons."
CROWD SURFING:
Among the small crowd of people watching the Patriots first-ever spring training practice in New Jersey was Justin Jensen, who pitched parts of five seasons for the team, and is their career leader in victories and innings. He works as a pitching instructor at the academy.
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