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Kata brings many
intangibles to the field in his quest
for the big leagues
May 20, 2003
Tucson Sidewinder
second baseman Matt Kata defines his baseball philosophy with
three rather simple success factors.
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Matt Kata |
"Attitude,
concentration, and effort," Kata stated. "Those are the easy
things to control. I know that the numbers will be a reflection of
that."
If that's what
it takes to be successful in the game of baseball, then Kata is
obviously following his own advice. The 1999 ninth round draft
choice out of Vanderbilt University has progressed steadily
through the Arizona system to reach the AAA level in his fifth
professional season. While he's never been a highly ranked prospect
throughout his career, the switch hitting infielder has gradually
improved his offensive numbers every season.
Kata moved into the
Tucson starting lineup in early May after missing the
first part of the season with an injury. Since then, the Ohio native is hitting .295/.342/.473
for the Sidewinders, with eight doubles and two homeruns in 26 games.
The Tucson infielder's
2003 output to date is nearly identical to the strong offensive
season he
had last year at Class AA El Paso, when he finished at .298 with 33
doubles, 11 homeruns and 12 stolen bases.
The 2002 season was
especially rewarding for Kata, as El Paso finished with a solid
76-62 record. "The experience was just awesome," he remarked,
"my first real winning
experience. I hadn't felt that since high school."
Kata's big year
continued when he was assigned by the Diamondbacks to the Arizona
Fall League, playing for the division-winning Scottsdale
Scorpions. He won over quite a few AFL fans with his tough,
hard-nosed play. The 25-year-old Kata believes that his
performance in the AFL helped raise his stock as a prospect.
"I wanted to take
advantage of the opportunity to work hard and continue to make
adjustments needed in my game to get to the big leagues," said
Kata, "and it was a great experience." He added, confidently, "I
showed to the Diamondbacks and to the baseball world that I'm a
top prospect and can play in the big leagues."
It's readily apparent that Kata has the utmost confidence in his abilities. That faith in his
skill set, coupled with a consistently positive attitude, gives
Kata an advantage in his bid to make it to the major leagues.
"The way I approach
the game (is to) play hard and hustle," said Kata, about the
intangibles he brings to the field. "Doing the little things,
being in the right place at the right time, always hustling,
knowing where to throw the ball, moving the runner over ... that's
the strong part of my game," said Kata.
The hard work is
starting to pay off. When asked about the boost in power that is
evident from the way he's hitting the ball for Tucson, Kata
attributes it to his work at a training facility in Tempe,
Arizona.
"I take a lot of pride
in my off-season conditioning," he commented. "The added strength
and flexibility has attributed to it (the increased power) ...
just paying attention to your body and to your swing."
Kata also believes his
versatility will help him in his quest to make the big leagues.
"Obviously, I'd like
to be an every day player at second, third or short," he said,
when asked about the role of a super sub, "but that's not a bad
way to break in." Kata added that he expects this versatility to
keep him in the game a long time.
Kata's attitude is a
reflection of lessons learned from the Arizona organization.
"The Diamondbacks know how to treat their players," he remarked.
"The better you're treated and the more professionally you're
treated, the better you're going to be as a person ... everyone so
far has been real open-minded and real honest."
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Matt Kata |
His rehabilitation
period from the early season injury was a real eye opener for
Kata. He spent time with the Diamondbacks' extended spring
training team; many of his teammates on that squad were
teenagers from the Dominican Republic. Kata reveled in the
cheerful and upbeat attitude that the younger players brought to
the field each day. "It was like being on a Dominican high
school team," he said.
Kata, who was drafted
out of high school by the Twins, models his playing style after
that of former Minnesota player Chuck Knoblauch. Prior to making
the decision to attend Vanderbilt instead of signing a
professional contract, Kata had the opportunity to meet the former
Twins second baseman.
"I saw how he
approached the game," said Kata, about Knoblauch. "He's
hard-nosed, but he had fun ... a get down and get dirty type of
player. Those are more the guys I like to watch play the game."
Despite his intense
nature on the field, Kata admits to a different personality away from
the ballpark. He attributes it to his family background; his
brother is an actor currently appearing in a Broadway production
and one of his sisters is also "artistically gifted."
"It seems like
the one common thing we've got is that acting flamboyance," said
Kata. "I joke around with family and friends about being an actor.
I did a commercial last week with the team ... they said I was a natural. I could see
myself doing that kind of work."
Life as an actor will
have to wait while Kata focuses on his baseball career.
But it's the mention
of another role on the field --- pitching --- that brings a
sparkle to Kata's eyes. While at Vanderbilt, he filled the role of
both starter and closer.
"I miss pitching,"
Kata remarked, enthusiastically. "It's a whole mentality. You're
the guy on the mound and it (the game) doesn't start until you
throw the ball. I miss it."
Kata was on the
Vanderbilt staff with current Chicago Cubs' starter Mark Prior,
regarded as the best young pitching prospect to come along in
decades.
"I attached myself to
his hip that whole year and learned so much about pitching," said
Kata, "and ended up having a good year on the mound."
He was then asked, if
Prior was included in this conversation, would the Cub pitcher say
that he learned everything he knew about pitching from Kata?
"Definitely," answered
Kata with a laugh. "He better!"
---
Bill Mitchell
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