Wolters leads Scrappers past Spikes

By Joe Scalzo | July 20, 2011 at 12:09a.m.

niles

Following his first multi-hit game in more than a week, Scrappers infielder Tony Wolters walked out of the Eastwood Field dugout and was immediately spotted by an, ahem, enterprising fan with a green tennis ball in his hand.

He wasn’t looking for an autograph. He wanted the shortstop to provide an infield assist on that night’s “Launch a Ball” game.

Grinning, Wolters hid the tennis ball behind his back and tiptoed his way toward the hula hoops on the first-base line. He dropped the ball a few feet short of one of the hoops, then tapped it with his foot into one of the hoops.

It was one of those moments that reminded you that while Wolters is a promising pro prospect, he’s also a 19-year-old.

To put that in perspective, consider this: Mahoning Valley celebrated “Hair Band” night, an era of rock history that effectively ended when Nirvana’s Nevermind album came out in September of 1991. Wolters was born nine months after that.

Wolters went 2 for 5 with two RBIs on Tuesday to help the Scrappers beat State College 6-1 in a New York-Penn League game. But he also committed his 12th error. Both are part of the development of the Indians’ third-round draft pick from 2010.

“He’s a guy that’s so talented, he tries to do a little too much,” said Scrappers manager David Wallace. “He needs to stay within himself and if he does that, the sky’s the limit for him.”

Wolters, a San Diego native, was one of 20 players selected for last summer’s USA Baseball 18-under national team, so he’s no stranger to playing far from home with talented players.

But he admits the adjustment to pro baseball is a challenge at times.

“At the beginning, it was tough,” said Wolters, who didn’t sign until last August and played just five games for the Indians in 2010, all with the Arizona League team. “Seeing all the new players and thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s this many infielders now?’

“But I’ve just got to let God do his work. I know he has a plan for me, so I’m not too worried.”

Wolters is batting .263 with a .752 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) in 29 games for Mahoning Valley. At 5-10, 165 pounds, Wolters isn’t an imposing prospect, but Wallace said Wolters needs time, not necessarily muscle, to develop.

“A lot of these guys at this level have a few years of pro ball experience or three or four years of college experience, so for him to be playing at this level at his age is very impressive,” Wallace said. “I feel like he’s maturing each and every day as a person and a baseball player.”

Cody Elliott went 3-for-5 with a run and John Barr added two RBIs for the Scrappers on Tuesday.

Will Roberts started and went four scoreless innings, striking out two while giving up five hits and one walk. Harold Guerrero (2-1) bested him, pitching four innings of one-hit ball while striking out four and walking two to get the win.

Tony Dischler finished the game, surrendering one run on one hit and a walk.