In the latest edition of “Catching Up With…” we talked to outfielder Evan Frey, who earned a May promotion to Reno last season and became the everyday lead-off hitter in a potent Aces lineup.
Frey made the most of his first taste at the Triple-A level, batting .275 with 25 extra-base hits, 66 runs scored and a .369 on-base percentage.
We asked Frey about roaming the Aces Ballpark outfield, playing winter ball in the Mexican League and learning the art of bunting from one of the game’s greatest bunters–Aces Manager Brett Butler.
Not Just Baseball…Aceball: You struggled in Double-A early in the season, but it seemed like you found your stroke after your promotion. What changed for you?
Evan Frey: To tell you the truth, I felt really good at the plate in Mobile, but the numbers didn’t really reflect that. When I got the chance to come to Reno I looked at it as a fresh start in a new setting, and I think it just made me relax a little bit and start fresh.
NJBA: What is it like playing in a big center field like the one at Aces Ballpark? How does it differ from playing left field here?
EF: I actually like it because there is a lot of room to roam around, and it makes things interesting. It is a challenge every day to know where you need to play certain hitters, but if you aren’t protecting the right-center gap it could be trouble! As far as left field goes, I really like it in Reno for the fact that the huge wall behind me makes things interesting. It increases the opportunity to make some great plays out there.
NJBA: We saw you getting to the park early seemingly every day to work on bunting with manager Brett Butler. How did that extra work improve your game?
EF: Bugsy is a great asset for me for the fact that we are very similar players. I went into a funk there for a little while with bunting and after we got out there and started working on some things I became very comfortable. It is at the point now where I look to bunt every time I step to the plate, looking to get on that way to have the big guys behind me drive me in and get some quick runs.
NJBA: You spent about a month in the Mexican League this winter. Tell us a little bit about that experience, and how it compares with playing in the States?
EF: The Mexican League was quite the experience. The fans are very passionate about their teams there and they expect production. That was my first time playing winter ball, and I really enjoyed playing along side those guys in their homeland. I have a new understanding for how the foreign players feel playing in the United States during our season. I would love to get the chance to play somewhere like that again.
NJBA:You grew up and went to school in the midwest. How does Reno compare to where you grew up as well as other places you’ve played?
EF: I really enjoy Reno. The weather is amazing, and the ballpark is the best place to play in the minor leagues. From the fan support to the way that the players are treated on a day-to-day basis is unreal. It is truly a first-class set up, and I’m fortunate to be able to be a part of it.
NJBA: There’s a lot of outfield depth in the Arizona system. What are you doing this offseason to help you stand out in spring training?
EF: There is and that is a good situation to be in. It makes you stay focused all the time knowing that there is plenty of players to do the same job, and you don’t want to be the odd man out. I have been working out and staying in shape to put myself in the best possible shape to have a good spring training and another successful season.
NJBA: Are you doing any exciting non-baseball things this offseason?
EF: After getting home from Mexico, I really have just been sticking around home and spending time with my family and friends. Being away so long throughout the year it is good to see them as much as possible. I have done a little bit of traveling around to help with baseball camps at a few places. But really nothing all that exciting.
NJBA: How did you enjoy the experience of participating in the PCL playoffs?
EF: The playoffs were awesome! I had a lot of fun with that. I wish that things could have turned out a little bit different obviously, but thats just the way that the game works. I hope we are in that situation again next year and have the chance to change the outcome.
Reno Aces
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