Checking in on Volusia-Flagler area players with the DeLand Suns
DELAND — Logan Hughes got a head start this summer.
While playing for the DeLand Suns of the Florida League, the incoming Stetson first baseman competed on his future home turf at Melching Field. He faced a few summer-ball opponents that he’ll square off with again during his freshman season next spring. And he received a preview of what college baseball will be like.
“I think it’s great to see now before we get there,” Hughes said.
Some of the Suns, like Hughes, are incoming freshmen. Some are between schools and looking to showcase their skills. Some are simply here to sharpen their skills before their next collegiate seasons.
DeLand wraps up its regular season Saturday. Entering Thursday’s contest against Leesburg, it held a 10-19 record.
Still, it was a good learning experience, even for head coach Matt Swiderski.
“From my side, you’re always learning the game and learning coaching,” said Swiderski, who is an assistant at Daytona State. “I’m still a young coach. It’s only been five years. I’m still learning the game and learning how to kind of manage a team and put things together and do certain things in certain moments.”
His roster featured six players who hail from Volusia or Flagler County or attend a school in the area. Here is how they are performing:
Joseph Becker
Although the summer didn’t go exactly as planned for Becker, he found it productive.
The Edgewater native came to the Suns wanting to hone his base-stealing abilities, but just a few games into the season, he suffered a leg injury that hampered him on the basepaths.
“I just wanted to get that scaredness out of me for when I go to my next school,” he said. “I want to be able to steal as many bags as possible.”
He tallied three stolen bases without being caught.
Overall, Becker is hitting .234 with one home run and eight RBIs in 15 games. He played for Swiderski at Daytona State as a freshman last season and will now head to Webber International University for his sophomore year.
Chase Bruno
Fresh off his redshirt junior campaign at Embry-Riddle, Bruno made the Florida League East All-Star team. He was one of five Suns to earn that honor.
The infielder has posted a .333 batting average with six RBIs in 17 games.
Patrick Groark
Groark, who committed to Bethune-Cookman in May, made three relief appearances for DeLand. In four innings, he allowed just one run and struck out four.
He played at Barton College last year.
Logan Hughes
Despite joining the Suns just weeks after his high school graduation, Hughes has put up solid numbers as one of the youngest players on the squad.
He is batting .250 across 20 games and has two home runs and 11 RBIs. He wanted to get a taste of the college level before suiting up for the Hatters.
“Logan is going to be a great baseball player,” Swiderski said.
Corey Robinson
A Port Orange native and Spruce Creek High School graduate, Robinson earned a Florida League All-Star nod as an East alternate. In 22 games, he is hitting .222 with a dinger and six runs knocked in.
The outfielder began his college career as a highly touted recruit at the University of Florida before transferring to UCF for his sophomore schedule.
William Rodriguez
Rodriguez stayed in his hometown for summer ball. The right-handed pitcher attended DeLand High School before heading to Keystone College last year.
As a Sun for the last two months, Rodriguez is tied for the team lead in pitching appearances (nine). He has thrown 15 ⅓ innings in relief and recorded a 9.97 ERA and 10 strikeouts.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeLand Suns' roster includes six local players. How are they doing?
