Nommensen a hit with Rays' Class A team

During the long bus rides this summer through Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, Brett Nommensen has found himself writing.

"I wouldn't call it a journal," said Nommensen, the starting right fielder for the Bowling Green (Ky.) Hot Rods, the Class A Midwest League affiliate of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. "It's just notes to myself about things to work on."

Nommensen's notes include workout tips and ideas from coaches that have him anxious for the fall to arrive in his quest to advance his career.

"I'm already looking forward to this off-season, but I'm also excited to see how the rest of the season goes," he said.

Nommensen, a Cary-Grove graduate who starred for four years at NCAA Division I Eastern Illinois, has given the Hot Rods plenty of punch this season.

While batting .288, Nommensen leads the team with eight homers and 44 RBIs. The Hot Rods completed a three-game series Monday at Peoria.

"He wants to learn when he shows up at the ballpark," said Hot Rods manager Brady Williams, who was Nommensen's manager last season as well with short-season Class A Hudson Valley (N.Y.). "I got to see how he's progressed as a player."

Nommensen, who has batted mainly in the No. 3 spot of late for the Hot Rods, has been a reliable run producer.

"Last year, especially with guys on base, he had a knack for driving guys in," Williams said. "Now he's having those same at-bats in every situation."

For Nommensen, his impressive season is the result of getting back to full strength after a wrist injury spoiled most of his senior season at EIU. The injury still bothered Nommensen last season in Hudson Valley.

"I've got my swing back to where I needed it to be," he said. "In the past month and a half, I've felt really good."

Nommensen said a revamped routine before games has been beneficial.

After arriving at the ballpark, Nommensen hits baseballs off a tee before taking part in batting practice. 

"And if (my swing) doesn't feel right, I'll go in there after BP to take a few more swings," he said. 

The extra care Nommensen has taken in getting ready for games has shown in his production.

"He definitely knows how to prepare himself every day," Williams said. "He knows what he needs to do so that at 7 p.m., he's ready to go."

Nommensen also has learned not to let an 0-for-5 night drag him down.

"You have to forget those quickly," he said. "I'm able to take my oh-fer, then go out and get two, three hits the next day.

"I'm happy with what I've done, but I can't be satisifed because I could go 0-for-30."

An accomplished leadoff hitter in college, Nommensen has found a home at the No. 3 spot, though Williams doesn't prefer either spot.

"I just prefer to have him in the lineup, period," Williams said.

DOWN ON THE FARM

A look at some of the area's minor-league baseball talent.

Rick Zagone (Prairie Ridge, Orioles)

Has 1-0 record with a 3.60 ERA as a starting pitcher at Class AA Bowie (Md.) since recently being promoted in the Baltimore farm system. Helped Class A Frederick (Md.) win Carolina League North Division first-half title by compiling 5-6 record with 3.20 ERA. 

Jake Goebbert (Hampshire, Astros)

The Houston farmhand has a team-high 29 doubles for Class A Lexington (Ky.) to go with a .269 average, 52 RBIs and five homers as the team's starting left fielder.

Mike Benacka (Marian Central, Athletics)

In 22 relief appearances for Oakland's Class AAA team in Sacramento, Calif., Benacka is 4-2 with a 4.08 ERA and one save.

Nate Roberts (Richmond-Burton, Twins)

Was a fifth-round draft pick in June by Minnesota. He signed in July and is batting .250 with a homer and two RBIs in four games with the Elizabethton (Tenn.) Twins, the parent team's Rookie League affiliate.

Andy Deain (Prairie Ridge, Orioles)

Pitching out of the bullpen for the Gulf Coast League Orioles, a Rookie League team, Deain has 13 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings to go with an 0-1 record and a 3.12 ERA.

Patrick Schatz (McHenry, White Sox)

Pitching for the Sox's Rookie League team in Bristol, Va., Schatz has a 1-1 record with a 1.13 ERA in seven games. In 16 innings, Schatz has 16 strikeouts and only two walks. Six of his appearances have been as a reliever.

Elliot Soto (Dundee-Crown, Cubs)

Batting .333 with six RBIs for Class A Boise (Idaho) after brief three-game promotion to Class A Peoria, where he was in uniform for a game at Wrigley Field against the Kane County Cougars.

Barry Bottino writes a weekly column and a blog about local college athletes for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at BarryOnCampus@hotmail.com and check out his On Campus column every Saturday in the Northwest Herald sports section.