Catching up With: Brian Pointer
March 23, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
On June 2 last season, Brian Pointer was batting just .182 for the Clearwater Threshers. Two days later he collected a pair of singles in a game at Palm Beach, and from there the outfielder took off on a month-long tear through the Florida State League.
Through the remainder of June, Pointer batted .403 - the second-highest average in the FSL over that span.
Pointer would go on to hit .272 in second-half play, steadily increasing his power and production along the way. He blasted 12 longballs in the latter half of the season, tying him for second-most in the league through that period. Only teammate Art Charles, with 16, had more.
The difference?
"We pretty much changed everything," Pointer says.
The Threshers' coaching staff worked with the young batter to rework his approach and hitting mechanics, helping to improve his timing and consistency at the plate.
"Just my mentality, rhythm at the plate, a little bit of my stance. But mostly it was just being on time and being consistent every single time."
A 28th round draft pick in 2010 out of Galena High School in Reno, NV, Pointer made his high-A debut with the Threshers on April 4 and spent the entirety of 2014 with Clearwater. He would finish the season with 15 home runs and 53 RBI to go along with 16 stolen bases.
On the other end of the ball, Pointer showed off a strong and accurate arm in the outfield by notching 13 outfield assists - the fourth-highest total in the Florida State League.
After his solid second-half showing with the Threshers, Pointer went on to enjoy quite the productive offseason.
The left-handed outfielder had the opportunity to venture to Australia and participate in winter ball for the Perth Heat of the Australian Baseball League. With Pointer's help, Perth secured its fourth league title in the past five years.
"That was awesome," Pointer says, "That was four months of great baseball, bunch of great guys, it was just a great team."
Pointer helped Perth grab a strong advantage early on in the final, knocking in a run with a double as part of a four-run second inning for the Heat.
He would finish the day with three hits, as the Perth Heat defeated the Adelaide Bite 12-5 in the third and final contest of the ABL Championship Series.
The 23-year old relished his first experience in the land down under, benefitting from the opportunity to continue his development alongside fellow professionals and other aspiring players in a positive atmosphere.
"I'd heard nothing but great things, and I got over there and that was exactly what it was. It was a great experience, great people, and they welcomed me right in."
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Florida State League Stories from March 23, 2015
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- Catching up With: Brian Pointer - Clearwater Threshers
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