
August 7, 2012

Outfielder, Nick Baligod, is the newest member of the Lansing Lugnuts this season (photo credit: Whitecap Wendy).
August has been a rebuilding month for the Lansing Lugnuts as the team saw Jon Berti, Kevin Pillar, and Kenny Wilson recently promoted as well as catcher Carlos Perez being traded to the Houston Astros in a 10-man deal in July. The Lugnuts who are 72-41 on the season, are only 2-5 in the month of August, and the team lost a heartbreaker Tuesday night, losing 2-1 in 10 innings to the West Michigan Whitecaps. The game featured a great pitching outing from Lugnuts’ starter, Anthony DeSclafani, who threw six scoreless innings and was in line for the win going into the 9th inning when the Whitecaps got on the board and sent it to extras. Nick Baligod. a recent call up from the Vancouver Canadians, was the big star at the plate for the Lugnuts going 3-for-5 and driving in the Lugnuts only run. After the game, Baligod sat down with JaysProspects to discuss his journey in baseball thus far.
Baligod was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 40th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Oral Roberts University, “I was excited for the opportunity to play baseball and to keep playing. My time at Oral Roberts helped me grow and learn how to live on my own it was a great experience,” stated the 24-year-old outfielder from Fairfield California. “I played in the outfield my entire life, I pitched a little in high school, but that’s it. Growing up near the Bay Area I was a Barry Bonds fan I used to go watch him play all the time and liked the way he hit the ball.”
Baligod began his professional career with the Vancouver Canadians in 2011 batting .248 with 13 doubles, one triple, two homeruns, and 32 RBIs, “I loved playing in Vancouver,” Baligod said. “The coaching and atmosphere were great and the stadium sold out regularly. Winning the NWL Championship last year was good, not many people picked us to win it, but we did and it was awesome. Very few players win a professional ring and to do it in my first professional year was special to me.”
The 2012 season has seen Baligod split time with the Vancouver Canadians and the Lansing Lugnuts batting .277 with ten doubles, two triples, one homerun, and 26 RBIs, “I love Lansing, it’s a great team, a great atmosphere, and it’s an upper level team so it’s another chance to get better. My NWL Championship prepared me for the Midwest League playoffs well it‘s a grind and you have to play your best, but I know what it‘s like now each game matters in the playoffs” stated Baligod
Baligod’s has the ability to get good at bats making a pitcher throw a lot of pitches to try and get him out, “I hate striking out, I hate not getting a hit when I’m at the plate. I try my best to get on base whether it’s a walk, hit, or I get on base by an error I always try to put the ball in play and make the defense work. My goal is to get better, play hard and not waste any at bats. My offensive approach, pitch selection, and instincts are my strengths as a player.”