Wahoos Weekly: Ex-LSU star, top pick Berry boosts Blue Wahoos

Jacob Berry has seen his baseball career transform faster in the past 14 months than any other period in his life.

The progression has also been a reminder to him to keep perspective.

“The game is a little bit faster here, guys are a little bit sharper, a little more polished baseball. But it’s also realizing it’s the same game, whether it is Low-A, High-A, or Double-A, and to just approach the game the same way,” said Berry, 22, who joined the Blue Wahoos July 25 and has climbed four levels since becoming the Miami Marlins’ top draft pick in 2022.

“I think that has allowed me to kinda transition well.

“Obviously l will have my ups and down like everybody does, but that has allowed me stay on a level playing field,” said Berry, an Arizona native, who was the sixth overall selection of last year’s Major League Baseball Draft, following his All-American junior season at LSU.  “I just have to continue to grow as a player and be more consistent as a player.”

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The high-lows were experienced during his first home series with the Blue Wahoos last week. He followed a rough night last Friday when he struck out four times to rebound on the weekend and drive in five runs on three hits the next two games.

His 4-RBI game Sunday helped power the Blue Wahoos to an 11-6 win against Biloxi and close the homestand with four wins in six games.

The Blue Wahoos (61-41), who have the best record in the Southern League and the most wins of all 30 Double-A teams, started a six-game road series Tuesday against the Chattanooga Lookouts. They dropped the opener 3-0 and had only three hits as a team, which reinforces the daily peak-and-valley of the sport.

Since Berry joined the Blue Wahoos from the Beloit (Wisc.) Sky Carp – the Marlins’ High-A affiliate, he has collected 13 hits in his first 13 games with four, multi-hit games, and 10 RBI. He’s played third base, first base and used as designated hitter. He has not committed a fielding error.

“The guys have been so welcoming, coming in,” said Berry, who also helped with instruction last weekend at the annual Chevrolet Youth Clinic.  “They are a pretty special ballclub, A lot of great players. It’s really cool to be part ot it.

“I pride myself on being versatile. I think I can play all those positions and I feel I will hit well. I’m just focusing on getting better day by day.”

Berry went through his first spring training with the Marlins organization in February and March. It enabled him to be around the Marlins’ veteran players and experience the potential future.

“I think getting to watch guys who have done it successfully at the big league level for years was huge,” he said. “Everybody does things a little bit differently and everybody can’t just do the same thing.

“That made me realize I have to find my own routine and that is what this year has kinda been. Finding what works for me and building upon that.”

Berry grew up in a suburb of Phoenix, Ariz. He played his first collegiate season in 2021 for the Arizona Wildcats where was a consensus freshman All-American named co-freshman player of the year by Collegiate Baseball. He then transferred with coach Jay Johnson to LSU when Johnson was named the Tigers coach before the 2022 season.

“I’m very grateful for coach Johnson,” Berry said. “He did a phenomenal job recruiting me out of high school and that was the reason I made the big decision to transfer with him from Arizona.

“I wanted to play for the coach who believed in me from the very beginning, I think that was really big for me, getting to play in college in the first place. He just really helped me become a more consistent player in college, so I am very grateful for everything he has done for me and my family. He is someone I still lean on (now).”

Wahoos notables

Giving back – More than half of the Blue Wahoos roster participated in one of the three sessions last weekend during the annual Chevrolet Youth Baseball and Softball Clinic. The players became instructors, mentors and supporters as more than 250 area kids participated, including a special early Saturday morning for the Miracle League of Northwest Florida.

Established in 2006, the Chevrolet Youth Clinic has provided free instruction by professional baseball players to more than 10 million kids across the U.S. at major league and minor league stadiums. More than 2,200 of these clinics have been conducted since 2006 and Pensacola has been part of the event since the Blue Wahoos’ inaugural 2012 season.

Blue Wahoos players included the majority of their pitching staff, along with Jacob Berry, catcher Bennett Hostetler, infielders Cobie Fletcher-Vance and Cody Morissette to help lead a variety of drills during morning sessions.

Nasim on roll – Blue Wahoos infielder Nasim Nunez entered Wednesday’s game in Chattanooga with a 14-game hitting streaking, after going 2-for-5 in Sunday’s home finale against the Biloxi Shuckers. It is the longest streak by a Blue Wahoos player this season. He has also stolen 40 bases this season and has 61 across two seasons to become the franchise leader. He needs 11 more swipes to tie Billy Hamilton (2012) for the single season record.

Sad loss – The Blue Wahoos mourned the sudden passing of Josh Parr, 21, who worked Blue Wahoos games in 2022 and this season greeting fans when they reached the second-level concourse from the entrance stairs. Born with cerebral palsy and confined to a wheelchair, Parr made friends every game by high-fiving anyone who passed by him and saying, “Wahoo! Welcome to the Wahoos!”

A funeral service was held Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Cantonment where Parr sang during Sunday services in the choir. He was raised by his grandmother. He was a loyal game-day member of the Blue Wahoos staff and his passing stunned everyone who knew him.

Perez back to bigs – After spending two weeks three weeks with the Blue Wahoos and making two abbreviated starts, Eury Perez returned Monday night to the Miami Marlins as their starting pitcher against the Cincinnati Reds. He worked into the fifth inning, allowing four runs, but had seven strikeouts. He absorbed the loss in Reds’ eventual 5-2 win in Cincinnati.  Perez is expected to remain with the Marlins the rest of the season.

“We're happy to have him back,” said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, speaking to media members after Monday’s game. “He's an elite pitcher that's going to help us the next couple months, and it's good to see him back on the mound."

The Blue Wahoos are honoring Perez and his two seasons in Pensacola with a Eury Perez Bobblehead Giveaway Night on Sept. 1. He was able to see his likeness and sign several of the bobblehead items for the special night.

Connie elevated – After setting franchise records, outfielder Griffin Conine was promoted Monday to Triple-A Jacksonville and is now a step away from following his famous father, Jeff Conine, in a Miami Marlins uniform. Griffin was batting .253 for the Blue Wahoos with 18 homers and 62 RBI in 87 games this season.

Conine has played 247 games for Blue Wahoos, beginning with the second half of the 2021 season. It is the fifth most in team history. He holds franchise records for career home runs (55) and RBI (161).

To fill the void, the Blue Wahoos welcomed Davis Bradshaw from the Beloit (Wisc.) Sky Carp, who was batting ,268 with three homers and 39 RBI.

Up next

This Week – The Blue Wahoos (61-41 overall) this week are in Chattanooga, Tennessee for their only visit this season to AT&T Field to face the Lookouts, the Cincinnati Reds’ affiliate. The Lookouts (54-48 overall) won the first half North Division crown, but have a losing record (16-18 on Wednesday) in the second half and have fallen behind the Tennessee Smokies in the overall North Division standings.

Prior to Tuesday’s series opener, the Lookouts were the last league team the Blue Wahoos have not played in 2023. They went 8-3 against Chattanooga last year – one game was rained out – and entered Tuesday with a 55-55, all-time record against them.

The teams will meet in Pensacola on Aug. 29 to Sept. 3 during the Labor Day weekend.

Want to follow?

Who – Blue Wahoos vs. Chattanooga Lookouts

When – Tuesday Thru Sunday.

Where – AT&T Field, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Gametimes – Thursday through Saturday games begin at 6:15 p.m. (CDT). Sunday’s game at 1:15 p.m.

Live audio – A live broadcast of each game will begin five minutes before first pitch on www.bluewahoos.com and the MiLB First Pitch App.

Live video stream: A live video broadcast is available through Bally Live and MiLB TV (subscription required).

Next home series – Begins on August 15 vs. Montgomery Biscuits

Bill Vilona is a retired Pensacola News Journal sports columnist and now senior writer for Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He can be reached at bvilona@bluewahoos.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Ex LSU star, No. 1 pick Jacob Berry progressing with Pensacola Blue Wahoos