FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — If rookie second baseman Mike Fontenot has been overwhelmed by his first spring training with the Baltimore Orioles, it doesn’t show.
“He goes about his work like he belongs in the big leagues,” Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley said of Fontenot. “Guys in the first camp or second camp, they spend a lot of their time feeling their way around. But not him. He looks like he belongs here.”
Ask Fontenot if he feels at all bewildered and the 23-year-old just smiles, aware of the opportunity presented him — partly because the Orioles have a new manager and partly because second base is suddenly a deep position.
“You’ve got people who have never seen you before, so you want to come in and make an impression,” Fontenot said. “Having had the chance to get people to see you is nice.”
That opportunity came quicker than expected for the 2001 first-round draft pick.
In the first inning of the Orioles’ first exhibition game, second baseman Jerry Hairston sustained a fractured knuckle on his right ring finger while sliding into third base on a successful steal attempt.
Hairston remains out and Brian Roberts is being prepped to play second base in the April 4 opener against Boston.
Fontenot, given the chance at some unexpected playing time because of Hairston’s injury, quickly made an impression on those who thought he needed more minor- league seasoning.
“Getting a chance to get in there a couple of times in the fifth inning or so would have been fine,” said Fontenot, who hit .325 with 12 homers and 66 RBIs for Double-A Bowie last year. He had the highest average and third-most RBIs of any Orioles minor leaguer.
“That’s what I came here expecting. So it’s been pretty exciting,” he said.
Fontenot’s opposite-field solo homer helped the Orioles win their exhibition opener, then hit another four days later, clearing the bleachers in right field.
With limited playing time since, Fontenot is 8-for-24 (.333) with six RBIs, second most on the team. That’s an achievement for a guy generously listed at 5-foot-8 and wearing No. 73 who was considered an afterthought.
“I like his approach,” Crowley said. “I like his quick bat. He’s got some juice — the ball flies off his bat. As a young player, he’s selective at the plate and that’s something you always like to see. If he stays selective — because he’s not a big guy — he’s going to get good pitches to hit.”
Fontenot is paying close attention to the veterans in camp.
“I wanted to take in as much as I can from the veteran guys, see how they go about their jobs,” he said. “Everybody puts their two cents in to try and help you out. It’s been a good experience.”
Bench coach Sam Perlozzo, who spends time working with the infielders, said making slight defensive adjustments has Fontenot feeling more comfortable.
“We want him to be less stiff and more free. When he’s made mistakes, he looks like a rookie in his first spring training,” Perlozzo said. “I’m trying to force a little swagger on him, hoping it makes him a little more relaxed.”