Nate Schierholtz Heads Wave of MLB Newcomers

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Nate Schierholtz Heads Wave of MLB Newcomers

Kyle Galdeira
09/03/08

Nate Schierholtz, a member of the 2006 Waikiki BeachBoys squad, notched four hits including two doubles, and scored three runs in support of San Francisco as the Giants trounced Colorado, 9-2, Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field. He is just one of an increasing number of former HWB players being called up to the Big Leagues after team rosters were expanded to 40 on Sept. 1.

The strong showing marked Schierholtz’s second game since being called up to the Big League club. In 11 at-bats for San Francisco, Schierholtz has notched six hits (.545 avg.), and has yet to strike out.

Schierholtz was anxiously awaiting his return to the Major League club since getting extensive playing time there last season. Earlier in the season while with Triple-A Fresno, Schierholtz hit .320 with 22 doubles, 10 triples, 18 home runs and 73 RBIs through 350 at-bats. He also hit for the cycle on May 26.

“My goal is to be in the Big Leagues, and to help this team win,” Schierholtz said while originally up with the Giants during Spring Training. “I got my feet wet last year, and got a decent start, so I need to build on that.”

With Waikiki in 2006, Schierholtz hit .248 and drove in 16 runs. He was solid at the plate, collecting five doubles, three triples and three homers, while committing just two errors on defense.

“I saw a lot of off-speed (pitches) there,” said Schierholtz, who also added that facing a wealth of Japanese pitchers in HWB helped to fine-tune his pitch selection. “You kind of see the same thing and work on recognizing pitches, and that was my main goal in Hawaii. I’ve carried it over and it’s helped me out.”

Schierholtz is fresh off helping the U.S. secure the bronze medal in what might have been baseball’s final Olympic competition at the recent Olympic Summer Games in Beijing.

Former BeachBoys teammate and fellow outfielder Dexter Fowler also represented the U.S. on the Olympic squad. Prior to that, the duo represented the U.S. Team in the 10th annual XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game at New York’s Yankee Stadium on July 13 as part of Major League Baseball’s All-Star week. The 25-man U.S. squad fell to the World Team, 3-0, and boasted Fowler in center field flanked by Schierholtz in right field.

Fowler was also called up yesterday by the Colorado Rockies. The speedy centerfielder is currently 0-1.

Other notable HWB alumni from the past two seasons recently called up to the Majors include:

>Dan Murphy (BeachBoys, 2007) owns a healthy .359 batting average through 78 at-bats as an outfielder with the New York Mets. Murphy has driven in 13 runs and has five doubles, a triple and two home runs to his credit. Former BeachBoys teammate Nick Evans is also with the Mets as a reserve outfielder, and holds a .271 average to go along with nine doubles and a home run. Bobby Parnell (BeachBoys, 2006) was recently added to New York’s roster as a relief pitcher.

>Will Venable (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) is hitting .267 (4-15) with a triple and two RBIs as a member of San Diego’s outfield corps. He’s joined on the squad by former CaneFires teammate Sean Kazmar, a middle infielder.

>Nyjer Morgan (Honolulu Sharks, 2006) is back up with Pittsburgh where he is hitting .235 with four stolen bases in 85 at-bats. Former Sharks teammate Brian Bixler was recently called up to play shortstop for Pittsburgh.

>Mat Gamel (North Shore Honu, 2007) was elevated to the Milwaukee Brewers’ squad as a backup third baseman. He claimed the HWB Most Valuable Player award in 2007 as well as Offensive Player of the Year honors.

>Marco Estrada (BeachBoys, 2006) has appeared in six games as a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals.

>Dusty Ryan (Honu, 2007) was recently elevated to the Detroit Tigers as a backup catcher.