As a minor league baseball player on the road to the Major Leagues, flexibility is key. Bowie’s utility man Buck Britton is well aware of that and has flashed his wide range of baseball skills throughout the 2012 season.
Making an appearance in the Eastern League All-Star game in Reading, PA this past July, Britton has shown vast improvement in the offensive production category.
“Getting more consistent with my swing, that’s the big thing,” explained Britton, referring to what he attributes to his 2012 success.
But in addition to his increase in consistency at the plate–6 HRs, 37 runs batted in through 77 games, compared to 3 HRs, 33 RBIs in 82 Double-A games last season–Britton has made a significant fielding change.
Primarily an infielder, playing shortstop during his college playing days and middle infield early in his minor league career, Britton has attempted to make the transition from infield to outfield the past couple of seasons within the Baltimore organization.
With Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop solidifying the middle of the infield, and Zelous Wheeler (now in Triple-A) and newly-called up Ty Kelly occupying the hot corner, Britton has played a lot of left and right field this season.
Britton has taken advantage of this opportunity and used it to improve his overall play and approach to the game rather than letting it cause a distraction.
“It helps me a lot,” Britton said. “Every club needs that utility guy, so it’s definitely a good thing and has helped me out.
“I just wanted to get comfortable out there as quickly as I could, and I am comfortable out there now so it hasn’t really been an issue,” he explained, addressing whether or not it has been a tough transition
The game of baseball is all about repetition and being comfortable, which could also explain his success at the plate. Britton played winter ball this past year, allowing him to get some extra work in during the offseason.
“I took as many at bats as possible while playing winter ball, so it was all about seeing pitches. I think that’s really helped me this season.”
