Sunday, July 18, 2010
By Greg Gulas
When North Lima’s Greg Rohan was passed over for the Midwest League’s annual All-Star Classic, the Peoria Chiefs’ outfielder was disappointed, but became more determined to take his game to the next level.
The snub, as it turns out, was the kick-start he needed. His improvement over the past three weeks has earned him a promotion.
That came earlier this week when he found out he was being sent to the Chicago Cubs’ top Class A affiliate: the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League.
“When the season started it was always a goal of mine to hopefully be promoted to the next level,” Rohan said. “I was also hoping deep down that it would come during the season.
“Over the past year I’ve been able to go from Short Season A, to lower Class A to high Class A so I really am pleased with my progression thus far through the minor league ranks,” he said.
The South Range High and Kent State standout was selected in the 21st round (650 overall) in the 2009 draft on the heels of hitting 48 career round-trippers for the Golden Flashes en route to Mid-American Conference Player of the Year honors his junior season.
After hitting .249 with four home runs and 21 RBIs last season as a member of the Northwest League’s Boise Hawks, Rohan was promoted to the Chiefs to start this year and responded by hitting .298 with five homers and 53 RBIs in 75 contests.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and much, much more,” Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke said. “I see him continuing to improve while making himself a valuable part of our organization.”
Barbaro Garbey, Peoria hitting coach and former major leaguer, was equally impressed with Rohan’s progression at the plate.
“Greg has been a big part of this team; early in the season carrying us with some big RBIs at the right times and he also hit some timely home runs as well,” Garbey said. “He has been better than expected for us.
“As for his future, that is totally up to him. Our job is to develop him and make the necessary adjustments in order for him to succeed and play at a higher level.”
Garbey said Rohan sometimes worries too much about his mechanics.
“He just needs to swing the bat and he will succeed,” Garbey said. “You never know what will happen as the season progresses or even in the offseason.
“He just needs to be consistent in his approach and learn to adjust and he will do just fine.”
Rohan stressed that working out with Jump Stretch founder Dick Hartzell, prior to his first professional season, continues to help him both defensively and at the plate.
In five games since his promotion to Daytona Beach, Rohan is batting .250 (4 for 16) with a home run and two RBIs.
“Coach Hartzell has excellent training methods, cutting edge routines that he and his staff put me through and they continue to work for me today,” Rohan said. “As for the future, all you can do is just give it your all, keep working hard and be prepared for the decisions that are made on your behalf.”