Forging his own path

Once Minner Labrador gets on base, which is often, the Clearwater outfielder wastes little time making the rounds.

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published May 13, 2005

CLEARWATER - Coach Doug Banks knows when his Clearwater team takes on Cape Coral Mariner today in the region semifinals, he'll see an array of talent on the opposing side.

"I know they probably have a few guys that run very well, good team speed I'm sure," Banks said.

The Tornadoes have their own array of talent and role players, but outfielder Minner Labrador seems to be the season's standout.

"He's had the best two-year span as a player that I have ever seen in my time as a coach," Banks said. "He's a gamer. Minner is a leader."

Labrador has stolen 13 bases so far this year, and for anyone who has seen Clearwater (22-6) earn a run this season, the idea of taking a base or two is far from an impossible task. The Tornadoes, as Banks often likes to say, "come running off the bus."

"We tend to use the attitude that in high school baseball, you're not going to hit the ball a long way. We try and use guys like Minner and Cale Owen to earn some runs without having to be explosive at the plate," Banks said.

Before the season, Labrador set goals of 30 hits, 20 runs scored, 20 RBIs and double digits for both extra-base hits and steals. The junior has eclipsed all of them.

Labrador is hitting a team-best .470 with 46 total hits. His ability to advance on the base paths has helped him score 22 runs. He also has six doubles.

"He struggled for a little bit, a while ago," Banks said. "He has turned it around the past three weeks."

On Tuesday against Seminole in the region quarterfinal, Labrador finished 4-for-4 with two steals to help Clearwater win its first playoff game since 2001. His glove was just as influential in that game as his offense.

In the fifth inning, on consecutive plays, Labrador made a full-extension catch in full stride near the leftfield wall, then fielded an outfield hit in one clean motion and came up with a rifle to stop a would-be run at the plate.

"He has definitely worked on his defense. That is something he purposely said he was going to improve on. He's really made some amazing plays for us," Banks said. "Amazing. That's a word we've said a lot this year. Amazing."

[Last modified May 13, 2005, 00:58:07]