Toronto Blue Jays Max Pentecost adding versatility, thriving in Dunedin
Toronto Blue Jays prospect Max Pentecost is healthy and punishing pitchers in the Florida State League.
Max Pentecost is always on the hunt.
When not on the field, the Toronto Blue Jays prospect bow hunts and fishes.
This season, Pentecost has added a new game to his list: opposing pitching.
“This year I was actually able to have a Spring Training,” Pentecost said. “It’s been good to kinda get my feet back under me. I had an off-season to work on my swing and fix a couple things that I needed to do. It’s paid off.”
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Pentecost, the 11th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, is dominating the Florida State League. Entering Thursday’s action, the Georgia native is tied for fourth in home runs (8) and second in RBIs (35).
In fact, the Kennesaw State product is already on pace to obliterate his previous career highs of 10 home runs and 41 RBIs from 2016.
This can be credited to Pentecost remaining healthy.
Despite being in his fourth professional season, the 24-year old has suited up in just 133 games. A shoulder surgery consumed the entirety of his 2015 campaign and kept him from catching the following year.
Currently, he is in the process of re-acclimating himself with his position.
“It’s still a work in progress,” he said. “I feel pretty comfortable when it comes to the receiving, and stuff, but I am trying to work with getting that comfortable stance. There are just a couple little things that I need to really get re-acclimated with.”
While Pentecost is, again, becoming familiar with catching, he is also adding versatility to his game. He has nine starts at first base this year, taking the stress off his knees and, more importantly, his surgically repaired shoulder.
However, he remains adamant his primary position is behind home plate.
“[My focus] is mainly catching. First base is just to get back on the field and give me a secondary position,” explained Pentecost. “The way we are progressing back into the catching process, they want me to have some easier days.”
For Pentecost, the easiest of days came at the end of April; He exploded for 5 home runs and 13 RBIs over a span of eight games.
Though, his success aside, the 6’2″ catcher is always open to learning.
This week Toronto starters Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson rehabbed with Dunedin.
The former first-round pick did not squander the opportunity.
“For me, it was just watching them — watching how they carry themselves, the way they go about defense and offense,” he said. “I was able to learn a lot about their approach hitting-wise. And, the way they go about their defense. It’s different than what you normally see.”
Even with FSL all-star consideration and a trip to Double-A New Hampshire looming, Pentecost says he is concentrating on ‘consistency.’
“If you go through a slump, the only way to get out of it — it’s like they say — is to keep hitting through it.”
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And, keep hitting is exactly what Max Pentecost intends to do.