Locals learning in the minors

The minor league season is done for a pair of local players who were playing professional basbeall for the first time with the Lowell Spinners, a short-season New York-Penn League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

Pomona-Pitzer graduate Drew Hedman played in 45 games and hit .265 (40-for-151) with 19 doubles and 21 RBI. He played mostly first base but saw a couple of games in the outfield too.

Chaffey College product Willie Holmes played a bit more sparingly. He got in 26 games and hit .264 (24-for-91).

Both those players were stars at their respective colleges. Hedman was the Division III national player of the year. It goes to show just how tough the game is at the pro level.

No doubt it was a learning year for both. First you have the transition from aluminum to wood bats. There is also the adjustment of learning to play every day rather than a couple of times a week which is further complicated by the long road trips.