Tio Daou Ballpark, Curaçao — It’s no coincidence that baseball players from Curaçao are known for their defense and excellent footwork in the field. Many of today’s major leaguers from the soccer-loving Caribbean island — including Braves’ Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons, Diamondbacks’ shortstop Didi Gregorius and Rangers’ second baseman Jurickson Profar — credit soccer with helping them hone their agility and quick feet. Many of the major leaguers were standout soccer players in their youth, but according to Profar, “Don’t let anybody lie to you. I’m the best here in soccer.” Side note: the Rangers’ new second baseman certainly doesn’t lack for confidence at 20 years old.
During the first annual Curaçao Baseball Week, the major leaguers and top prospects have been taking Curaçao youth through defensive drills and providing advice to aspiring baseball players. But they’ve also been having fun with each other, like a family reunion where the backyard just happens to be the baseball diamond. Between clinics and drills, the infielders showed off some of their unorthodox training tricks to help keep them fast on their feet.
Take a look at the videos shot on location at Tio Daou Ballpark during Thursday’s activities.
Here’s Diamondbacks’ shortstop Didi Gregorius kicking around the baseball like a soccer ball:
Looking for a new way to work on hand-eye coordination using a glove and baseball? Introducing Baseball Hot Potato! Simply toss the baseball in the air and knock it from player to player using your glove without letting the ball touch the ground. No problem, right? Let these fine glovemen from Curaçao — including Gregorius, Profar, Hainley Statia, and Jonathan and Sharlon Schoop — show you how it’s done:
But sometimes it doesn’t always go as planned. Just ask the Orioles’ top infield prospect, Jonathan Schoop.
If you listened carefully, you heard Gregorius say that Andrelton Simmons is the best at using the baseball as a soccer ball. Simmons declined to be filmed doing the trick though I did witness it and, shocker, he was outstanding.
In case it isn’t too obvious, these guys are like brothers and having a blast here in Curaçao this week. It’s been a lot of fun to watch.
Videos via Amanda Rykoff
