By his own admission, Marcus Littlewood lacks the speed of a prototypical leadoff hitter, but the AquaSox shortstop feels right at home at the top of the order, which is where he was in the lineup Tuesday for the fifth time in six games.
Littlewood, a second-round pick in 2010, primarily hit second to start the season, but moved to the leadoff spot last week, which is where he hit in high school.
“I hit there in high school for four years, so I feel pretty comfortable at that position, being kind of the table setter for the team,” he said. “I’ve always prided myself in trying to put together quality at bats, seeing a lot of pitches. I feel like I have pretty good plate discipline and that works well for the leadoff role.”
That plate discipline is what led Everett manager Scott Steinmann to move Littlewood to the top of the lineup even though the 19-year-old doesn’t fit the bill in terms of wheels.
“He’s a guy who is working counts, he’s seeing a lot of pitches, so in that spot he’s going to be able to do that and help out the rest of the team,” Steinmann said. “Since he’s moved up there he’s thrived a little bit, so we’re probably going to leave him in there for a little while.”
Heading into Tuesday night’s game, the switch-hitting Littlewood had a .246 batting average. Since moving to the top of the lineup, he has gone 6-for-20 (.300) with three doubles, including a 3-for-5 day Monday.
“I feel like I’ve been seeing the ball well all year, it’s just making adjustments and I’ve made a couple recently that have helped me out,” he said.
As for the pressure that comes with being the highest draft pick — by four rounds, no less — on Everett’s roster, Littlewood said that hasn’t been an issue.
“I don’t let it bother me,” he said. “Nobody on this team cares where you’re drafted. We’re all here at the same level now trying to move up.”
Melendres day-to-day
Outfielder Nathan Melendres received good news Tuesday, a day after he had to come out of the game after being hit by a pitch in the wrist. Melendres wasn’t in the lineup, but his absence shouldn’t be a long one.
“He went and got X-ray and that was negative, so right now he’s day-to-day,” Steinmann said.
Welcome back
Jharmidy De Jesus, who previously played with the AquaSox in 2008, has enjoyed his return to Everett. Since joining the team, DeJesus has accounted for seven runs in three games heading into Tuesday’s game, with three RBI and four runs scored in 12 at-bats.
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