Cintron looks to regain pop

[azdad1978]

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 13, 2005 12:00 AM

TUCSON - Alex Cintron watched from afar as the Diamondbacks overhauled their infield with veterans during the off-season and couldn't help but wonder where he fit into the picture.

"I was confused a little bit," said Cintron, who played in a team-high 154 games in 2004. "You know, I'm thinking 'What did I do wrong?' . . . But right now I can't think about that. All I can do is play my game and whatever happens, happens."

Cintron batted .262 in a team-high 564 at-bats last season, a considerable drop from 2003 when he hit .317 in 448 trips.



Sensing urgency to regain his offensive pop, Cintron, 26, once again played winter ball in his native Puerto Rico and logged solid statistics: 30 hits in 90 at-bats, including six doubles and three home runs in 23 regular-season games.

He punctuated his "off-season" by going 10 for 20 in last month's Caribbean World Series.

"I had to go to Puerto Rico and show everybody, and show myself, that last year was just a bad year and that I could improve myself, especially my hitting," Cintron said. "I didn't want to come back here thinking 'Oh, I had a bad year.' "

Cintron has continued his hot hitting in spring training. He doubled twice and singled twice in four at-bats in Saturday's 4-3 victory over San Diego to lift his batting average to .450.

Two of Cintron's nine hits have been solo home runs, and he has struck out just once in 20 at-bats.

"From the day he's gotten to camp, he's really been on a mission," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "He just makes our 25-man team that much better. . . . He wants to contribute and be part of this team, and I appreciate that."

Cintron started mostly at shortstop last season before a late-season switch to second base. This season, he is expected to back up newcomers Troy Glaus (third base) and Royce Clayton (shortstop), while Matt Kata serves as Craig Counsell's sub at second base.

Cintron said friend and winter ball teammate Alex Cora helped him deal with all of the Diamondbacks' infield acquisitions during the winter and the realization that he likely would be making a transition from starter to role player.

"He told me 'Don't worry, you'll still play' and 'Things can change,' " Cintron said. "If not, I'm still part of the team and I'm still in the big leagues."

Cora also helped Cintron adjust his batting stance in Puerto Rico. He's now standing taller in the batter's box and has closed his legs a bit more.

"The main thing is I feel comfortable at the plate," Cintron said. "I'm not trying to do too much or think too much. It's more mental (improvement) than anything."

Hitting coach Mike Aldrete has been working with Cintron on retaining the mental elements of his good swings.

"At this level, everybody's got what it takes," Aldrete said. "The real good ones can repeat it more. . . . So, we're trying to grab a hold of that real good (swing) and just pound it and pound it and pound it until he has the ability to repeat it."

Cintron has embraced that approach and said his confidence increases daily.

"I know what I can do," Cintron said. "When you go through a tough year like last year, you learn a lot. I'm more ready this year."


http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0312dbacks0313.html

 

[schillingfan]

It will be interesting to see if Cintron reverts to 2003 or 2004 form.I'd much, much rather see him than Royce Clayton at shortstop. Let's hope he proves in spring training that he deserves to be the starter.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

There is no reason that Cintron shouldn't be starting at second base, he is better than Counsell, and has potential to be far superior.

 

[BC867]

There is no reason that Cintron shouldn't be starting at second base, he is better than Counsell, and has potential to be far superior.

Although Craig Counsell was, and is, my favorite D'back (for the intangeables he brings to the team) . . . when he came up, I predicted, on this board, that Alex Cintron has the potential to be a Major League batting champion.

His batting average was in the .390's when he left AAA for good. Although the PCL is a hitters' league, .390 is above and beyond.

Despite his disappointing season last year, I still believe that. Alex needs a position other than SS to be at his best when at bat.

I still believe that he has the potential to be batting champion. Especially now that he's altered his stance.

Under Brenly, we would have had to trade him to Milwaukee for that to happen. Case in point, Lyle Overbay. And this year, we'll probably see the same growth in Junior Spivey with the Brewers, if he stays healthy.

Perhaps there will be a spot (like 2B) for Cintron to grow into an all-star here in Phoenix in future years.

Please just don't bat him fifth and screw up that potential again.

 

[Lefty]

There is no reason that Cintron shouldn't be starting at second base, he is better than Counsell, and has potential to be far superior.

Agree. I think management went overboard again by signing Counsell to that two-year contract. At his stage in his career, he is a utility guy at best, not an every-day starter. I hope Melvin starts the players who he thinks will win ball games.