IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Finally Back on the Field, d'Arnaud Thrilled to be with Indians

Published on May 29, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


"It's hard to be on the field and not smile."

That's how Chase d'Arnaud describes the feeling of playing for an Indianapolis Indians club that is an International League-best 35-18 through just about two months of the 2013 season.

While he may be smiling as he patrols shortstop for the Indians, it's been far from an easy journey just to get back onto the field for the 26-year-old Pirates prospect.

Drafted by Pittsburgh in the 4th round of the 2008 amateur draft, d'Arnaud quickly worked his way through the farm system, getting the call to join the Indians at the Triple-A level after just three seasons between Low-A West Virginia and Double-A Altoona in the Pirates organization.

In 2009, d'Arnaud combined to hit .293 (124-for-423) with 33 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs and 57 RBI for West Virginia and High-A Lynchburg. The speedy middle infielder also swiped 31 bags in 39 attempts, and posted a .398 on-base percentage.

His impressive play and quick rise through the ranks brought him to Indianapolis in 2011, where he hit .264 (76-for-288) with six triples, 37 RBI, and was successful in 20 of 24 stolen bases attempts.

Following a short but eye-catching stint in Indianapolis, d'Arnaud was called up to Pittsburgh to make his Major League debut against the Boston Red Sox. Beginning June 24, he tallied eight extra-base hits and stole 12 bases in 14 attempts over 48 MLB games during the 2011 campaign, continuing his staggering success rate on the base paths.

After another solid year in 2012 with the Indians (.252 BA, 24 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 34 SB in 39 attempts), as well as an eight-game stint with the Pirates in September, the sky was the limit for the promising young infielder as he eyed the upcoming 2013 season.

Then, during spring training with the Pirates in March, d'Arnaud tore a ligament in his thumb during base-running drills and was forced to undergo surgery that would land the up-and-coming prospect on the shelf for six to eight weeks.

d'Arnaud suddenly found himself in the difficult position of having to go through a delayed personal spring training of his own, while his club rolled on through big league camp and into the regular season. And after not taking cuts in batting practice for over two months, returning to even just the basics can be somewhat tricky.

"The challenge has been just getting my timing back, hitting and fielding," d'Arnaud said. "It's kind of like I'm going through a new spring training process, only months later."

Now that he's finally back on the field, d'Arnaud hasn't wasted any time in returning to form at the plate.

In two games with Bradenton earlier this month, d'Arnaud went 2-for-6 with a triple, RBI, and a stolen base. He then struggled a bit in four games with Double-A Altoona (2-for-14), but has begun to rediscover his stroke with Indianapolis in three games thus far, going 3-for-11 with a double, 2 RBI and another stolen base.

Once he was thrust into the middle of a 2013 season that's clearly in full swing, d'Arnaud has relied not so much on adjusting on the fly, but rather trusting his previously established practice regiment which has led to his quick climb thus far in his career.

"I just have to trust my training from the offseason, which is what I've done and it's helped me come along and I'm feeling really good right now."

The only true day-to-day adjustment has come from addressing his surgically-repaired thumb, as he attempts to hit and steal bases using his regular approach from before the injury.

But to d'Arnaud, it's a small price to pay to be back on the diamond.

"I dress up my left hand a little bit before every at-bat," he explained. "A little guard that protects the scar from touching the bat because the scar is a little sensitive, but when I have this thing on my thumb, it feels just fine."

That's good news for the Indians as well as the Pirates, as both clubs look to get d'Arnaud back to PNC Park.

And as for d'Arnaud, just suiting up with his teammates here in Indianapolis is reward enough.

"I'm happy to be with everybody here," he said. "We have a good squad and the team chemistry is great."

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International League Stories from May 29, 2013


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