Scavuzzo's extra-base hits help Glendale to AFL win
Jacob Scavuzzo might not be viewed as one of the top prospects in the Dodgers' system, but he's certainly making a name for himself in this year's Arizona Fall League.
Scavuzzo went 2-for-4 with a home run, double and two RBIs on Friday afternoon to help propel Glendale to a 4-1 win over Peoria. Meanwhile, the fact that both of his extra-base hits in the contest came against Mariners left-hander James Paxton made the 21-year-old's showing at the plate all the more impressive.
With a pair of hits against the Javelinas, Scavuzzo improved his Fall League batting line to .393/.400/.679, and he's now collected multiple hits in four of his seven games for the Desert Dogs.
"I went through a little slump for a couple days this week, but I've been working with our hitting coordinator -- who helped me out a lot with my mechanics this year -- and we touched base a little bit and I felt really good today," Scavuzzo said.
A 21st-round selection in the 2012 Draft, Scavuzzo is coming off a breakthrough 2015 campaign in which he batted .286/.337/.500 in 119 games between Class A Great Lakes and Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga. The right-handed hitter achieved new career highs in most offensive categories, hitting 18 home runs and 32 doubles while also scoring 77 runs and tallying 69 RBIs.
Not bad for a guy who batted just .209 with five home runs in 2014 over 108 games in the Midwest League.
"Being on time consistently every pitch and putting a good swing on it," Scavuzzo said of about his drastic improvement at the plate this past season. "Sometimes when I struggle I rush at the plate and I'm not relaxed, but when my timing is on it allows me to put a good swing on it."
Suffice it to say Scavuzzo -- who won the AFL Bowman Hitting Challenge earlier this month -- has looked plenty relaxed at the plate so far in the Fall League. At the same time, the Orange, Calif., native also understands he has plenty of room left for improvement.
Video: Scavuzzo wins the AFL Bowman Hitting Challenge
"I was up and down this year a little too much to liking, so I'm just working to be as consistent as possible and having a good attitude every day," Scavuzzo said.
On the other side of the ball, Scavuzzo, a natural corner outfielder, has been taking reps at first base before games.
"The field coordinator talked to me a couple weeks ago and said he wanted me to be more versatile and play more positions, so I've been working at first base every day since then," he said of the possibility of a position change. "I don't know if I'll get a start out here, but next season I should be mixing in at first base."