Monday, January 04, 1999
Young slims down, hopes to power up
Quicker bat could turn doubles into home runs
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Reds' lack of a true power hitter may end if Dmitri Young continues to develop.
Young generated outstanding numbers last year in his first full major-league season, most notably a .310 average and 48 doubles. The latter figure, which tied him for second in the National League, suggests long-ball potential.
“Half of them hit off the wall or short-hopped the wall,” Young said Sunday as the team concluded its two-day Redsfest at the Convention Center. “With the weight loss, I want to prove I can hit.”
Young, 25, was alluding to his primary offseason project. After hovering around 260 pounds last year — “I couldn't play a full season at that size” — Young said he is down to 240-245 pounds. “I'm really comfortable at that weight,” he said.
Ideally, Young added, he'd like to drop to 235 pounds, which would keep him at a reasonable weight even if he beefed up slightly.
The assumption is that a better-conditioned Young will get around on pitches just a little more quickly — enough to turn some of those deep gappers into homers.
“It'll be good for me, and it'll be good for the team,” Young said.
These benefits could extend to Young's defense, which has been criticized. Having divided his time among first base, third base and the outfield since his professional career began in 1991, Young is expected to play exclusively left field this year. He relishes being stable, as well as quicker.
“I finally have a home now,” said Young, who the Reds obtained from St. Louis for reliever Jeff Brantley on Nov.10, 1997. “I can concentrate on bettering my skills in left field. I'm tired of these reports saying I can't play left when guys fail to realize I've played various positions. I've never been settled.”
Young seems to have settled into being a Red. He wants to extend his influence from the field into the clubhouse “as more of a team leader,” he said.
“Not necessarily as the leader,” Young added. “The leader, we all know, is the captain (Barry Larkin). But we don't always need to look for the captain. There are going to be other people who step up. I plan on being one of those guys.”
The sight of fans flocking to get Young's autograph or have his picture taken with them this weekend showed that his status already has risen, at least among the public.
That's partly what Redsfest is all about, said John Allen, the team's managing executive.
Said Allen: “As I go out and talk to people I hear so much of, "Well, I don't know any of the players' or "Who's going to be on the team?' This kind of cements what the whole organization is trying to accomplish. We want to develop a Dmitri Young and a Sean Casey and an Aaron Boone so people know who they are ... There's a long-term benefit for the organization.”
Young relishes the attention. He believes that creating more fans will boost attendance, which in turn will enhance his performance.
“I like playing in front of crowds,” he said. “I had a ball on the road this year. I'd like to see (those crowds) here. I like the enthusiasm. The energy is awesome.”
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