The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ANFERNEE Seymour, known for his speed, is stepping up the ladder in Minor League Baseball after being drafted in the seventh round by the Miami Marlins organisation in 2014.

Seymour, who starred for the rookie Batavia Muckdogs in the Gulf Coast League last season where he played in 64 games at shortstop with a batting average of .273, was called up on April 4 to the South Atlantic League where he will be playing for the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

The former St Augustine’s College softball player who went on to play baseball at the American Heritage in Delray Beach, Florida, where he got drafted on July 17, 2014, is hoping to utilise his speed to make an impact with his new team when they play their 2016 season opener at the NewBridge Bank Park against the West Virginia Power.

“Where I was last year, there was no one to really play for,” said Seymour as he was quoted on the MLB website. “So you really have to focus and get zoned in. Now that you have fans, you have something to play for - people cheering you on. It’s really fun and really makes you want to play every day. I didn’t know I had this many fans.”

Seymour, 20, was the Marlins’ No.26 prospect as they were impressed with his performance on the base path.

“Speed changes the game,” said Seymour, who has been clocked at 6.24 in the 60-yard dash. “I’ve noticed pitchers won’t throw me too much offspeed - they’ll try to make me get myself out. Infielders come in, play halfway, outfield comes and plays halfway.

“When I get on base, pitchers slide-step - they don’t really hold. Everyone here, they’ve already got the memo that I’m fast, so you’ve got to be quick, you’ve got to watch out. It’s no secret now. I’ve just got to play every day, try to find a way on.”

On July 18, 2014, Seymour was assigned to the GCL Marlins where he hit .245 and stole 11 bases in 26 games.

A year later, he was promoted to the Batavia Muckdogs on June 18, 2015, to be exact. However, he was placed on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 25, 2015.

On August 2, 2015, the Muckdogs activated Seymour from the 7-day disabled list. He went on to play in 64 games with a batting average of .273 as he connected on 65 hits in 238 at bat. He scored 39 times, drove in 14 runs, walked 20 times, struck out 52 times, but stole 29 bases while getting thrown out just six times.

Seymour also represented Batavia in the Mid-Season All-Star Classic, but is hoping to make a greater impact as he begins his Class A campaign with Greensboro.

“I’m getting used to it,” said Seymour about his playing time. “Now, it’s more fun playing every day, playing under the lights, playing the game against real good competition. It feels good and I’m enjoying myself and working hard every day.”