Outfielder Wright looks ahead as his career unfolds

The seventh-round pick played for North Carolina State.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NILES -- Brian Wright occupied the last seat against a row of lockers, lazily reading a recent issue of Baseball America and getting ready for yet another important change in his life.
So far, everything has been progressing well for the seventh-round draft pick from North Carolina State who has been adjusting to the many transitions he's faced.
At the Cafaro Field home team locker room during media day, Wright talked about his career with the Wolfpack, whom he led in nearly every offensive category.
He's not in Baseball America yet, but if Wright can keep producing his gaudy hitting numbers, the New York-Penn League pitchers better be ready.
"Obviously you hope to be in there, because the people who are in there are normally playing pretty well," he said of his magazine, which he folded to his side.
"I'm very optimistic right now, just coming out of college and having a pretty successful college career."
Strong on offense
Although he wasn't drafted as a junior, his dazzling offensive production in the spring caused the Cleveland Indians to pick him earlier this month.
"I hit .418 [with] 14 home runs and 73 RBIs," in 59 games, Wright said. "I had a good college [season], but it's definitely a transition now.
"You hit with wood and there's better pitchers. It's a transition period where you try to figure out your wood bat swing," Wright said.
Wright never had a favorite major league team to follow growing up in Ramseur, N.C., where he was the MVP of the state high school baseball championship series.
Jim Thome, though, is one player in the big leagues whom Wright likes to talk about.
"He's probably one of my favorite players," Wright said. "I really like his swing."
At Raleigh
Wright pitched a no-hitter in the state championship series and played third base when N.C. State recruited him, primarily as a hitter.
Another change in his athletic career sent him to the outfield, where the left-handed hitter blossomed.
"It was definitely a transition. At first I wasn't very successful. I think I got a lot better in college," Wright said.
Now, Wright will have to get used to playing in front of crowds of 5,000-plus.
At Clemson this year, he played in front of about 7,000, but most collegiate crowds were smaller.
"Hopefully we can win a little bit and everybody can improve a little bit and we can make Youngstown proud of us," Wright said.
sullivan@vindy.com