PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Of the 934 players to appear
in a major league game last year, the surname that was dead last in the
alphabet could be found in Tampa Bay. But fortunately for the Rays, Ben Zobrist
ranks high on a different list … as one of the best players in baseball.
In fact, ESPN’s Top 100 ratings for 2011 placed the 30-year-old
infielder/outfielder at No. 62. When it comes to double trouble, there are few
ballplayers more dangerous.
Zobrist hit 46 doubles last season to tie for third in the American League and
led all switch-hitters in extra-base hits and doubles.
Only one switch-hitter in AL history has had more doubles in a season. That
title belongs to Brian Roberts, who hit 56 in 2009 and 50 in ’04. And just
three other players — Victor Martinez, Mark Teixeira and Pablo Sandoval — have
hit more than his 102 doubles over the past three seasons.
Good things just seem to come in twos for Zobrist.
He and wife Julianna, an alternative Christian recording artist, welcomed their
second child into the world in September, giving 9-year-old son Zion a little
sister to watch out for in baby Kruse.
Zobrist hit well from both sides of the plate last year — .303 as a righty with
16 doubles and seven home runs, and .256 as a lefty with 30 doubles and 13 of
his 20 blasts.
He gave the Rays stability at two positions — platooning in right with 2011
All-Star Matt Joyce and at second with Sean Rodriguez.
This season, he might be more involved turning two for the Rays if Joyce sees
more action in right on a daily basis and Zobrist gets to settle in more often
at second. That’s by no means a certainty, because manager Joe Maddon may still
decide that a second-and-right platoon system is the way to go with Zo, who
could wind up dividing his time at second with new addition Jeff Keppinger.
But given his druthers, the sixth-year Ray wouldn’t mind spending more time
patrolling the right side of the infield.
"I think I like second base more, probably, just because you’re closer to
all the action between the pitcher and catcher and batter,” he said. “I’ve had
some really exciting times out in the outfield, too. There’s not much of a
better feeling than throwing a guy out at home or making a great diving play
out there.
“Overall, I’d probably say I’m an infielder at heart, but I
enjoy playing the outfield, too.”
It’s hard to overstate the value of Zobrist to the Rays. With his knack for
getting on base (260 walks over the past three seasons), he can contribute batting
high in the order, but he can also be a plus if he’s in one of the power slots.
Only nine switch-hitters in AL history have as many extra-base
hits in a season — a distinguished list that includes Mickey Mantle, Bernie
Williams, Carlos Beltran, Roberts and Teixeira.
What’s more, Zobrist led the Rays last season with a career-high 156 games
played, including 153 starts, as well as career bests in runs (99), hits (158),
extra-base hits (72) and those 46 doubles.
His versatility has allowed Maddon to use Zobrist as a backup first baseman
with no hesitation, but with Carlos Pena and Luke Scott now on the roster, Zobrist
isn’t expecting any emergency duty at first.
“I would guess because we have Carlos and Luke, I’m not going to have to use
the first-base glove during spring training very much,” he said. “I’d guess
this year with Matt Joyce playing as well as he did for us, they’re probably
going to slate me to do a lot of stuff at second.
“But I have to be ready to play the outfield, too. I know
there will be some starts in there. And if anybody gets injured, there’s a good
chance I’ll get moved around, because we have other guys who can play second base
well and other guys who can play the outfield well. I just need to be ready to
go in wherever they put me.”
Zobrist’s breakthrough season came in 2009, his first full season with the
club, when he hit .297 with 28 doubles, seven triples and 27 homers along with
91 RBI. That led Rays management to ink the emerging star to a four-year, $18
million deal through 2013, with club options for 2014 and 2015. (If both
options are exercised, Zobrist will earn just under $30 million, but he plans
to donate up to $450,000 of it to the Rays Baseball Foundation.)
The excitement he felt over signing a long-term deal, however, soon gave way to
a season marked with highs and lows. The Rays won the AL East and Zobrist
started at five positions (right, center, first, second and third), collected a
career high 92 walks and stole 24 bases, also a personal best. But Zobrist’s
home run total dipped to 10, and he was bothered by a back injury that occurred
in batting practice.
He struggled through hitless slumps of 0-for-23 and 0-for-18 and saw his
batting average fall nearly 60 points to .238.
That’s what made his resurgence in 2011 such a big story for the Rays, and so
personally satisfying to Zobrist.
“I definitely feel like I learned some things through that year when I was
injured,” he said. “After 2009, 2010 was a trying year. You always learn a lot
more in life from the tough times than you do from the times when you’ve had a
lot of success. With that being said, I found a little bit of a groove last
year, which was nice. And you just try to keep that going as long as you can
and pray that you stay healthy.”
Indeed, Zobrist’s deep faith is a defining part of his life. His father and
Julianna’s father are both ministers. As many Rays fans know, his “walk-up”
music for each at bat the past several seasons have been songs from his wife’s
2008 release, The Tree.
Singer-songwriter Julianna’s new studio album, Crazy Fearless, is due out on
Opening Day (click http://thezobrists.com
for more information). During the offseason, the Zobrists often traveled as a
family — with Julianna performing her music and Ben giving talks.
“She’s been doing some concerts and I’ve been speaking to groups, and we’ve
been doing some of that stuff together,” he said. “I think of it kind of as a
calling — it’s something that God continues to give us the opportunity to do
and use our abilities to glorify Him. It’s the perfect spot for us.”
Zobrist believes the Rays are in a pretty good spot as well. For starters, he’s
thrilled with the additions of Pena and Scott.
“I’ve talked to Luke over the years when he was playing for Baltimore and have
appreciated our short conversations, and getting to know him a little bit more
as a teammate,” he said. “And Carlos is one of my best friends on the team —
just one of the guys everybody loves. He brings such a positive attitude, it’s
awesome.”
Could he see the Rays reaching the Series, as various national media outlets
have predicted?
“There’s definitely the talent to be able to make it there,” he said. “There’s
definitely the chemistry, the pitching, the defense — all the things you want
to see on paper are there. It’s a matter of putting that stuff together. And
that’s what we need to do in this clubhouse, figure out how to make it come to
fruition.”
Just as he has done with his own double-threat career.
