By BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer
Published July 15, 2005
In April, Eric Arnold was swinging the bat as well or better than anyone else in the Florida State League.
The Dunedin third baseman was hitting .611 when hitters usually struggle adjusting to the quality of pitching in the advanced Class A league.
Asked to explain his performance, Arnold was clueless. Was it his slot in the batting order, his ability to hit to all fields, his patience, his maturity, his approach?
"I think I was just due," he said.
Since being drafted by Toronto in the 10th round in 2002, Arnold wanted to move up one level each season, a goal that would have him close to the majors by now.
Instead, the former Rice standout has made a slow trek through the minors and is only starting to take the necessary steps up the ladder.
"It was tough because I wanted to do better, but it just wasn't happening for me," Arnold said.
Arnold had a lot to live up to when was drafted. He was the first big prospect from a star-studded Rice team that included pitchers Jeff Niemann and Wade Townsend, first-round picks of the Devil Rays the past two years.
But he seemed to be on a treadmill when it came to moving through the organization. Arnold played at Medicine Hat, Auburn and Charleston before making his way to Dunedin this year.
After a strong showing in spring training, Arnold busted out at the plate and kept the Blue Jays within reach of the front-running Lakeland Tigers in the first half.
Dunedin continues to be in the race in the second half despite losing first baseman Chip Cannon and pitcher Robert Jannsen to promotion.
Arnold has continued to deliver, even though he cooled off after a torrid start. He's batting .290 and leads the team with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs.
"I knew there was no way I was going to hit .600 for the season," Arnold said. "You have to give yourself some leeway and know there are going to be bumps during the season.
"The organization is big on making sure everyone stays on an even keel. There are going to be some weeks when you have four homers and others when you're a bit off. I think the biggest thing thing I've learned to do is adjust to that."
By staying consistent, Arnold hopes to show this is the long-awaited breakout year that everyone has been expecting since he broke into the minor leagues four years ago.
"I don't really worry now about what level I'm going to be at," Arnold said. "I just want to continue this momentum and hopefully it will get me to where I want to be."
CANADIAN CONQUEST: Clearwater right-hander Scott Mathieson was the lone player from the three area clubs to play in the Futures All-Star Game on Sunday in Detroit. Mathieson, a native of British Columbia who was picked in the 17th round by the Phillies in 2002, played for the World Team and pitched during the fourth inning.
The 21-year-old faced two batters, inducing Triple-A Durham's B.J. Upton to ground out and Triple-A Tucson's Conor Jackson to fly out. Mathieson combined with nine pitchers to limit Team USA to four hits in a 4-0 victory.
