Bronx Rooney (‘29, AZ) showed some power at the plate picking up two hits and a loud out. Swings with intent and knocked in two RBIs this game. #AZKickoff
44 GS| .315 AVG | .488 OBP | .858 OPS
162 AB • 51 H • 6 HR • 29RBI • 14BB • 16 SB in the MIAA
I am a dynamic player that impacts the game in every way — gets on base, creates pressure, and produces. Ready for the next opportunity. #TransferPortal
Blake Linden (‘28, AZ) crushes a standup triple into the pull side gap. Uses the whole field this game and uses a loose load to find barrel easily throughout the game. 6’1 205lb frame with physical movements from the left side. #AZKickoff
Grad Transfer LHP
I am entering the transfer portal with 1 year of eligibility remaining.
173.0ip, 173k, 71bb, 4.73era
2024 First Team All ACCAC
FB: 87-89,90
CT: 81-83
SW: 76-79
CH: 78-80
CB: 72-75
480-338-3770
When I was in pro baseball, I started making a lot of weak contact.
Weak fly balls.
Weak ground balls.
Jammed contact.
Honestly…
I felt like if I didn’t figure it out, I was going to get released.
Then I remembered what Barry Bonds told me:
“If you’re making weak contact, your top hand probably isn’t working TO and THROUGH the baseball correctly.”
He explained that the top hand helps create the barrel path through the zone.
So every day, I practiced 3 things:
1. Top-hand-only tee swings trying to drive the ball to center field and the opposite-field gap
2. Split-grip soft toss working through the middle of the field
(2–3 inch gap between the hands)
3. Regular BP trying to hit line drives gap-to-gap with the thought of “catching” the ball with the top hand
That’s when I started squaring baseballs up and driving line drives with authority again.
Thank you for reading,
Jermaine Curtis
P.s. - Try this if you’re making weak contact and let me know how it works for you, by posting a video below.
P.s.s - And if you found this valuable, share it with another hitter.
I signed to UCLA my junior year of high school and was told I was going to start Day 1.
Opening Day at UCLA?
I was sitting the bench. 😭
I had 2 choices:
1. Complain, pout, and blame the coaches
OR
2. Find the holes on the team and become valuable.
So for 3 weeks, I sat the bench.
I showed up early.
Stayed late.
Cheered for my teammates.
Dragged the field every 3rd inning.
Meanwhile, I studied the team.
The middle infielders were doing well.
Third base wasn’t.
So I told the coaches:
“I can play third.”
Then I noticed something else:
Offensively, we were either hitting home runs or getting out.
I saw the gap.
If I could become a tough out, get on base, and bring energy to the team…
I could create value.
Then we played Miami.
The starting third baseman was hitting .115.
They gave me a shot.
I went 2 for 3 with a walk.
Played solid defense.
Brought energy.
I never sat the bench again.
Eventually, I became team captain…
and we were ranked #1 in the country.
One thing baseball taught me:
Opportunities don’t always go to the most talented player.
Sometimes they go to the player who becomes the most valuable.
Brockton Reichwein (‘27, AZ) with some intriguing stuff out of the pen. Proj. 6-4/180 frame. FB up to 88. Flashed a low-70’s breaker with bite (clip). #Pitt commit #MDWest
Adrian Sisco (‘28, AZ) lines this up the middle for a 2-run single. Multi-hit performance with 3 RBI. Stays short to contact with strength to the hands #MDWest