Q & A : The Miracle's Matt Betsill

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News-Press

Matt Betsill has been hitting below .200 this season for the Fort Myers Miracle, but he has continued to grow into his 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame and his role as a utility infielder.

"He is lanky, but he is very strong," Miracle manager Kevin Boles said Saturday, as Betsill worked with a group of children with special needs at a baseball camp at Hammond Stadium.

"If he were to put on too much weight, it might take away from his athleticism," Boles said. "He'll fill out. He's got the frame you look to build on."

The Minnesota Twins selected Betsill, 22, with a 10th-round pick in the 2005 draft out of Furman University.

The Griffin, Ga., native, talked to The News-Press about his role on the team and his background. Betsill entered this week with a .196 average (18-of-112) and five RBI in 32 games.

How are things going in the field?

At Furman, I played third base in all but two games, so playing first base is new to me. Shortstop was my position in high school. I switched to third in college. But it has been great being able to be versatile.

You're hitting just .196, but you've had some bright spots as well. How are things going at the plate?

It's up and down. I got off to a rough start. I've had a tough time digging myself out of it. I tried to make some changes to my stance during spring training. Sometimes, you have to get worse in order to get better.

At 6-foot-5, is 195 pounds the ideal weight for you?

I could be 210 or 220, and I'd still look skinny. I got a case of flu real bad just two days before spring training. I lost 15 pounds in one week. I don't think that was a reason for my slow start. It doesn't matter how you feel. You still have to go out there and perform.

Do you feel close to pulling out of the slump?

I think I'll be OK by season's end.