Navarette Comes to Play…Wherever

Despite Lineup Shuffle, Leads Ducks in Runs Scored

By Brian Bohl

August 20, 2007

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY— When a team loses an upper-echelon leadoff hitter, finding a substitute can be a difficult task. With Jose Offerman suspended indefinitely while he faces assault charges, the Ducks found a suitable in-house replacement: Ray Navarrette.

Since Offerman charged the mound with a bat against Bridgeport last week, the top of the Ducks’ batting order looks similar to the lineup at the beginning of the season. Ray Navarrete (pictured at right) batted leadoff and played second base predominantly before Offerman’s arrival in late May. The former Met farmhand still shuffles around the diamond, though he reclaimed the No. 1 spot for a club looking to secure a second-half division title.

Navarrete, who hit four home runs in the season’s first two weeks, earned an All-Star appearance despite being shuffled around like a utility player. But he didn’t hit like a part-timer, batting .307 entering last night’s 9-3 loss to the Bluefish at Citibank Park.

Offerman owned the league’s fifth-best average at .335. Instead of going outside the organization to fill his void, manager Dave LaPoint moved up Navarrete, who will be entrusted to provide RBI opportunities for middle-of-the-order sluggers like Pete Rose, Jr. and Carl Everett (currently the Atlantic league’s leading run producer.)

“I love to hit. As long as my bat is in the lineup, I’ll play wherever,” Navarrete said. “In all the spots I’ve hit in the lineup, I really don’t change my approach too much. I try to stay as disciplined as I can.”

In the final three games of a just-concluded road trip, Navarrete played second and batted leadoff. The former Pirate minor leaguer has now appeared in 32 games at that spot, second only to Offerman’s 53 games on the team. Bryant Nelson and Dionys Cesar also can fill-in, allowing LaPoint greater roster flexibility.

“I joke around with all the guys [that] as long as my name is in that lineup, I don’t care what position I’m playing,” Navarrete said. “Whatever position I’m at that night, I want to be the best at that position. If its centerfield or second base, I’m going to play hard and help this team win a championship.”

Added LaPoint: “He comes to play every day. He doesn’t mind switching all the positions, so that’s good for us.”

Replacing one of the independent minor league’s top hitters during the stretch run can be difficult, as trade opportunities are rare. The most attractive candidates are still finishing out seasons in Double A and Triple-A if they aren’t signed long-term with the parent club. LaPoint said it will take a collective effort to compensate for the absence, though the Ducks still retain Rose (pictured at left), who claims the Atlantic League’s fourth-best average (.341, 117 hits). Everett has recorded 85 RBIs, putting him on pace for a rarely seen 100-RBI mark in the 126-game regular season.

Navarrete advanced as high as Triple-A, logging 20 games for Norfolk last season. The 29-year-old leads the team with 76 runs scored, compiling a .390 on-base percentage despite batting in nearly every spot except fourth. Even without a routine or set role, the New Jersey native still emerged as one of the most consistent Duck hitters and will be asked to hit behind Everett when Cesar assumes control of the leadoff spot.

“In the long run, I’d rather see Dionys lead off because he’s the better base-runner,” LaPoint said.” But he’s had these little, nagging leg injuries that haven’t let him be able to run. He’s been a leadoff hitter he’s whole life, so I’d rather have him up there.”

While he said he doesn’t change his approach much, Navarrete said he is inclined to take more pitches when he’s the first batter.

“If I’m leading off in a lineup like this, I have to get on base,” he said. “I can’t concentrate too much on trying to drive the ball out of the park or getting RBIs. That’s the one thing I’m taking pride in now: I have to get on base.

“When I play games and I get on base three to four times, I’m happy. When I play a game and I don’t get on base at all, I’m disappointed. That’s something I have to work on if I’m going to be there the rest of the season.”

Notes: LaPoint said Cesar (pictured at left) will likely be batting leadoff tonight against the Bluefish…The Ducks committed four errors last night. All three other scheduled Atlantic League games were rained out. With the loss, the Ducks’ over Newark in the North Division dropped a half-game to 4 ½.

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