Not just working on field in the off-season

This is a story from the Everett Herald and it is worth a look. Roger Hansen, a frequent visitor to Appleton during the Mariner years, and Greg Halman ('07) met up recently....in the Netherlands.

That was a first for Roger Hansen, the Mariners’ minor league catching coordinator. He spent five days there last month talking with highly regarded outfield prospect Greg Halman and his parents.

Halman, a native of the Netherlands, had just completed a challenging season with the Mariners’ Class AA West Tennessee team, having struck out more than anyone in the organization.

Halman was the object of some very specific instruction on plate discipline and pitch recognition not only during West Tennessee’s season but after games ended as well. The Mariners had him take part in their instructional league program for 21/2 weeks last month at their training facility in Peoria, Ariz., and want him to return there well before spring training begins to get him a head start on the big-league camp.

Mom and dad, obviously, had questions about how the organization is handling their 22-year-old, and all parties — the parents and the Mariners — agreed face-to-face communication was needed. So Hansen flew from Phoenix to Detroit, then to Amsterdam — 14 hours of flying to get there.

“The parents care so much,” Hansen said. “He’s such a huge prospect that it was good for me to go there and put everything to rest. Basically, I told them, ‘Here’s what it takes to get ready for the big leagues.’ They were very thankful that I came over.

Check it out.

Just one today.

Sorry this is late. I needed to do some things this morning. To tell the truth, I don't feel like blogging today, but I made a resolution that I would not miss a day for updating this year.

So, here is a link to a story on Greg Halman ('07) regarding the World Baseball Classic.

Just two years ago, things weren't looking so rosy for Mariners outfield prospect Greg Halman.

The native of the Netherlands who had signed with the Mariners back in June 2004 was giving full-season ball his first try. To say the 19-year-old struggled would be like saying the United States is having slight economic issues.

He hit .182 and struck out 77 times (against just eight walks) in 52 games in '07. He got sent back to short-season Everett for a second tour of the Northwest League. And that's probably when the Mariners realized they had a special player -- and person -- in their organization.

Rather than sulk, Halman was a Northwest League All-Star, batting .307 with 16 homers and 16 steals. He's been hitting for power and running since, making a big leap up to the California League in '08. He was there for only half a season, getting a bump up to Double-A at age 20. He was the closest Minor League player to put up a 30-30 season with 29 homers and 31 steals.

"He's come a long way and he's still young," said Pedro Grifol, the Mariners' director of Minor League operations. "He's an extremely talented kid who's come a long way both on and off the field. He's a high character kid who has the chance to do great things in this game and one day lead this organization."

There is more at the link along with a bit about other ex-Rattlers who will be playing for their countries.

39 dies insquequo Oris Dies!

Churchill on Halman

Greg Halman is the focus of Jason Churchill's M's Farm Report on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer website.

Hitting the curveball or slider is perhaps the most difficult obstacle for young hitters to hurdle, and many of the best athletes in the game have their careers stopped shy of the major leagues due to their inability to do so.

Mariners outfield prospect Gregory Halman is among the most intriguing players in the minors with his projectable physical tools and plus bat speed. Halman leads the High Class A California League in home runs with 17, and ranks fifth in slugging percentage at .573. He also is fourth in the league with 22 stolen bases in 23 attempts, and plays a solid center field.

This was written before he had two homers last night to run his season total to 19. Go read the whole thing.