Bandits' rookie Wallace here to have fun
Brett Wallace unpacked more than gear when he settled into his new work space at Modern Woodmen Park. He brought along some expectations as well.
That’s nothing new for the Quad-Cities third baseman, St. Louis’ first-round choice and the 13th pick overall in baseball’s 2008 draft.
“When you play at Arizona State, you deal with expectations. When you get drafted in the first round, you deal with expectations,” Wallace said. “It comes with the territory. I just have to play and not worry about what people think. If I keep that focus, I know it will work out.”
That hasn’t been an issue for a player who led the Pac-10 in hitting, home runs and RBI the past two seasons.
Wallace expects the second half of the Midwest League season to provide him with an opportunity to learn about playing the game as a professional.
“Right now, I’m still figuring out the routine, and the guys on the team are helping me a lot,” Wallace said. “It’s going to be an adjustment, playing every day, playing with a wood bat. I’m here to have fun, play loose. All my life all I’ve wanted to do is play baseball, and now I have that chance.”
Playing for the first time in three weeks, Wallace went
0-for-2 with a pair of walks in his pro debut Wednesday, a starting point that Quad-Cities manager Steve Dillard appreciated.
“He showed a good eye, and I think there was a progression from one at-bat to the next, which is what we’re hoping to see,” Dillard said.
The only expectation Wallace has placed on himself for the 2008 season is to “get his feet wet” as a professional.
“The Cardinals told me to come here, have fun and play hard,” he said. “I can’t predict numbers or what might happen, but I want to learn and get out of this season what I can.”
Wallace, who also could see action at first base or in the outfield, doesn’t expect to be staging any friendly fracases with his teammates during his stay with Quad-Cities.
Before his final game at Arizona State, a loss to eventual NCAA champion Fresno State in the super regional, Wallace drew some added attention when he and teammate Ike Davis, a first-round pick of the Mets, participated in a staged pre-game fight.
The stunt came after ASU coach Pat Murphy suggested that the pair do something to loosen up the club.
“It was all done in fun, and it came off looking worse than it was,” Wallace said. “I think the scene is starting to fade. It should. There’s never been any bad blood between Ike and I. We still talk all the time.”
Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com.