Whitesell Loves Reno, But Isn't Sad to Leave
Josh Whitesell will be quite happy if he never steps inside Aces Ballpark again.
No offense. He loved the field. He loved the fans. He loved the organization. But he hopes that his Triple-A days are behind him forever. He’s 27-years-old — a bit long in the tooth for a rookie — and has pronounced himself ready to be a full-time big league player.
As of late July, he was. In fact, Arizona Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch had named Whitesell the starting first baseman. It remained to be seen if the move was permanent. Whitesell had been promoted from Reno to start on two other occasions this season, but playing time proved to be limited.
If he takes the job and runs with it, he will likely never play in Reno again. And that would please him only because it means he has secured a full-time position in the majors. The North Carolina native has only fond memories of his time in Reno.
“The city was very accepting of us,” he says. “The fan support it terms of attendance and involvement was outstanding. To have that kind of support was great for the players and the city and the team.”
The power-hitting Whitesell has never struggled to produce in the minor leagues. His performance with the Aces was certainly no exception. After batting .328 with 26 home runs and 110 RBI at Triple-A Tucson in 2008, he batted .313 with seven home runs and 45 RBI in just 218 at-bats between recalls to Arizona this season.
The decreased power numbers were affected by the vast expanses of Aces Ballpark. Whitesell admits he was taken aback by the distances required to slam a ball out in the alleys.
“When we first saw the ballpark, everyone was excited because it was all so shiny and clean,” he recalls. “But when I looked at it I said, ‘Wow, this place is big!’ It’s 424 feet to right-center and 410 to left-center and I didn’t see the elevation being a big factor at first. But once the weather warmed up, the ball started carrying better.”
Whitesell has yet to display the power he showed throughout his minor league career through 2008. But he has also not received consistent playing time with the Diamondbacks. Through July 23, he managed just 15 hits in 86 at-bats with no home runs and 11 RBI. Seven of those 15 hits, however, have been doubles.
Most hitters require an opportunity to play every day to find a rhythm and maximize their hitting potential. Whitesell recognized that fact, but refuses to use it as an excuse.
“In the minor leagues, I’d always been an every day player who got consistent at-bats,” he explains. “I never had to look at the lineup card because I knew I was going to be in there. Now I’m not sure when I’m going to be playing, but I try to stay on top of my game. I try to be prepared as I can.”
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