IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Consistency and Fun Key to Hague's Success

Published on June 14, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


Matt Hague's two goals as a baseball player are to have fun and stay consistent -no matter how cliché it sounds. Needless to say, he's been quite successful in both this season.

The 29-year old infield leads the International League in several offensive categories. Entering play on Sunday, his .352 batting average was 17 points better than any other hitter in the league. He also tops the circuit in hits (81), doubles (19), total bases (14) and on-base pct. (.430).

Hague knows the importance of avoiding the 'roller-coaster season,' something that has been absent from his entire Bisons career. After being claimed off waivers from the Pirates last year, the third baseman hit in 12 of 13 games with Buffalo to close out the 2014 season. This year, he has gone back-to-back games without a hit just once.

"When you start panicking and overthinking your game, it doesn't work well," said Hague.

Consistency has also been a part of Hague's entire career. Now in his eighth year as a pro, he has averaged under .283 just once in his minor league career. He led the International League in hits in both 2013 (153) and 2011 (165) while with the Indianapolis Indians. He had 104 hits in 91 games with the I-Tribe in 2012, but didn't join the team until well into the season, making the Pirates Opening Day roster and playing 30 games in Pittsburgh to begin the season.

"I don't pay attention to how well my stats are throughout the season. My teammates are the ones who make more of a big deal from it," joked Hague.

Fans throughout the International League have also noticed. Through the first two weeks of online voting for the 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game, Hague leads all third baseman in votes. Hague says that it's an honor, but it comes with a catch.

"You can't let it distract you, because you have to prove to everyone that you deserve to be on the ballot."

For a long time, Hague was able to rely on the consistency of knowing where he would play. Drafted by Pittsburgh in the ninth round of the 2008 amateur draft, he remained in the Pirates organization until joining the Bisons last season. As he does with everything, Hague took the move in stride.

"As long as I'm playing baseball, the only thing that I have to worry about adjusting is the surroundings."

And no matter where Hague is, it's probably a safe bet he's having fun.

"It's a long season," said Hague after batting practice before a Bisons game this homestand. "If you're not having fun, you're going to drive yourself crazy."

As he wrapped up his pre-game interviews, Hague back upped his theory as he got up to jog to the lockeroom... "Now, I'm going to go play some cards with the guys."

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International League Stories from June 14, 2015


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