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Buffalo’s terrific trio
By Dave Ricci
As the Herd tries to capture its third division title in four years manager, Marty Brown will have one of the best outfields in the minor leagues at his disposal.
Twenty-five year-old Jody Gerut, twenty-four year-old Alex Escobar and twenty-three year-old Coco Crisp have been key figures in the Bison’s 7-3 start to the 2003 campaign.
Brown said, "They’re the heart and soul of this team. Anyone of them can play centerfield and they’ll each be exposed to it (during the season)."
Through the first ten games Gerut has four home runs and 16 RBI. "Jody knows his game. He’s a very intelligent hitter and it’s tough to out-think and out-guess him."
Alex Escobar was sidelined for all of 2002 when he tore his left ACL in spring training. Escobar’s batting average through the first stint of the year has yet to crack the .200 mark but Brown knows Escobar’s history and is certain the Herd has a winner in this native of Valencia, VZ. "Early in his career he was a five-tool guy. (Indians manager) Eric Wedge and I managed against each other in the Eastern League. Alex was the best player in the Eastern League that year (2000). We both saw the true Alex Escobar. We’re hoping to get him back to the point where he was in the Eastern League, where he was that five-tool guy that everyone raved about."
Escobar is still wearing a brace on his knee as prevention against further injury. Brown feels that Escobar is coming along well, and once the warmer weather kicks in his speed will pick up.
With an on-base percentage of well over .500 and ten runs scored, Crisp has a gift for getting on base and making things happen. Brown said, "Each and every at-bat is just a battle. That’s the way Coco has been approaching it. It’s been very successful not only for him but also for us, because when he gets on base he makes stuff happen. Whether he runs or not it doesn’t matter, he puts a lot of pressure on the pitcher."
Brown feels this talented trio is just another example of the excellent work done by the Indians scouting staff.
Be sure to check out the Sports and Leisure website for daily Bison updates during the season.
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