June 17, 2019
Photo credit: Brian McLeod/MiLB.com
Prospect Hagen Danner is starting to put up big numbers for the Lansing Lugnuts as of late.
Danner, who has recorded nine hits, which has included: three home runs over his last 10 games; claims that he has a better eye for good pitches to hit over the past two weeks.
“Yeah I’m feeling really confident at the plate,” said Danner. “I’m really trusting my eye right now, trusting myself to get to every ball, rather it’s an inside or outside pitch. I feel I’m in a groove.”
Hopefully that groove will continue, as Danner has had a rough start to his career at the plate. With a career line of just .200/.276/.367 after 406 professional at-bats; the prospect admits that his numbers need to be better.
“I haven’t hit well so far in my career,” explained Danner. “With the said, I feel my approach has gotten better since my first pro season. The first year I wasn’t sure where the pitches were going.”
And with more repetition comes more confidence, as Danner has transitioned more to professional pitching in his third season.
“The biggest transition has been facing guys who are every bit as good as me if not better,” explained Danner. “You have to be able to hit every pitch. Rather that’s an off-speed pitch or a fastball that’s 95 plus.”
While, he’s still adjusting to professional pitching, Danner is doing great in the field.
In fact, the prospect has been playing two positions this season; catching, the position he was drafted to play when the Blue Jays selected him in the 2nd round in 2017, and first base, which is new this year.
Logging 135 innings so far this season behind the plate, Danner has only committed one error, while maintaining a .993 fielding percentage for the Lugnuts’. Factor that in with the eight potential base stealers he’s thrown out in 23 attempts, and it would appear that Danner is developing nicely at the position.
While, he doesn’t get to play there every day – the prospect really likes the opportunity to manage a professional pitching staff.
“It’s fun getting to know the pitchers,” stated Danner. “Being a pitcher in high school, it’s fun seeing how they go about their business. It’s fun seeing what kind of pitches they throw, and how they throw them.”
And as far as first base goes – Danner hasn’t committed an error there in his 73 innings – while taken part in six double plays, and assisting on three additional plays.
While learning a new position might be tough for some, Danner has found the transition easy and fun.
“Moving to first base has been easy,” said Danner. “I played there a little bit in high school. It’s kind of like being a little leaguer where you get to play multiple positions. It’s a lot of fun.”
Be sure to follow Hagen Danner’s progress both at the plate and in the field for years to come.