April 22, 2008
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Anyone who has played enough baseball or softball in their lives has found himself or herself in a batting slump at one time or another. The ball looks like it is the size of a pea, it seems like there are 12 players on defense and every call goes against you.
With hits in just four of his last 22 at bats (.181 average) heading into last weekend’s series against Auburn, Vanderbilt catcher Shea Robin was mired in a slump. His average had dipped to .262 and he hadn’t played in the past four mid-week games.
Knowing his playing time may continue to take a hit if his average kept plummeting, the senior did the only thing you can do to get out of a slump… Hit.
Hit he did.
The Woodlands, Texas, native exploded against the Tigers, hitting .636 (7-of-11) with four RBI, three runs and a triple. The result of Robin’s performance at the plate not only helped Vanderbilt win two out of three games in the series, it also raised his batting average 36 points to .298.
“I got a couple of more balls to fall,” Robin said. “Not all the hits I had were hit hard, but it was good to get some hits finally and boost that confidence a little bit.
“Getting hits definitely helps your confidence. There are a number of guys you see get a hit in their first at bat and go 3-for-4 in the game. If they don’t get a hit in their first at bat, they go 0-for-4. It is just a whole mental game.”
Although offensive numbers stand out more in a box score than defensive numbers do, Robin’s play behind the dish may be even more impressive than his offensive outburst.
“He hit the ball well, but he’s the best defensive catcher in the conference,” Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin said. “There’s no doubt about it. He blocks balls in clutch situations, he keeps everything in front of him, and he throws out runners.”
Judging by his play behind the plate so far this season, Robin has done nothing to disprove Corbin’s sentiment.
While working with a pitching staff that lost two top 10 draft picks from a year ago, Robin has provided a steady hand behind the plate. On the year, Robin has just three passed balls and has thrown out 41.9 percent of runners. The 13 runners he has thrown out this season ranks second in the Southeastern Conference and the 18 stolen bases he has allowed ranks 10th in the league.
Developing that consistency behind the plate has been extremely important to Robin, who wants to have the complete trust of the pitching staff.
“I try to make the pitchers feel comfortable and hope that they have enough trust in me that with the bases loaded and a three and two count, they can throw a curve ball for a third strike if they need to,” Robin commented.
Last weekend, Robin may have gained even more trust from his pitching staff by throwing out two runners and totaling four assists. His most impressive game came on Saturday when he helped Caleb Cotham strike out a career-best 11 batters in 8.1 innings of work. In addition to calling a great game, Robin threw out a runner trying to steal second and picked off another runner by throwing behind him at first base.
All of Robin’s achievements at the catcher position make it hard to believe that he was recruited to Vanderbilt as a second baseman. Not only was he recruited as a second baseman, he had also never played catcher a day in his life before he set foot on campus.
“He jumped head first into (catcher) and never looked back,” Corbin said. “He never questioned why we put him back there. He’s really been a savior. He is one of those guys that make us (coaches) look good because he gets into the position and does well at it. He makes us look like geniuses.”
Since moving to catcher, Robin’s development at the position has been remarkable. In 2007, he threw out 13 base runners – the same number he already has this season. The 22 assists that he has this year also has him well on his way to surpassing his total of 31 from a year ago.
Robin’s ability to make a play with his arm this season is something that has caught Corbin’s eye.
“It’s day and night,” Corbin said. “Last year, I think he ran into some issues because he was trying too hard and thinking about too much.
“He’s not even thinking about it now. That’s the biggest difference. He’s catching the ball and throwing it. He’s got a tremendous amount of confidence.”
With his bat seemingly catching up to his glove, Robin’s weekend against Auburn may have been just a small peak into what is to come down the stretch for the senior.
“Having weekends like that definitely boost your confidence. I’m just hoping to take it into the last weekend we play.”
