Gino DiMare reveals how Jacoby Long can increase playing time
As the regular season comes to a close at Miami, the Hurricanes have been getting outfielder Jacoby Long more playing time, tapping into some of the unique skill set he brings the program.
Coach Gino DiMare explained this week what he wants to see from Long, the 6-foot-1, 188-pound junior out of Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“It’s my kind of player in terms of I love speed,” DiMare said. “We have speed, but guys utilizing it the right way. He actually does. He’s laid down some bunts, safety bunts, drag bunts, push bunts. He’s our best outfielder. Him and Dario (Gomez) are our two best outfielders, that’s why they’re out there late in the game even when they weren’t starting.”
Prior to the last week or so, playing time for Jacoby Long had come primarily as a late-game defensive replacement in the outfield.
His speed makes him an excellent defensive player. If the Hurricanes can get him in the lineup more regularly without hurting the order, he can presumably also provide some of that speed as a weapon on the base paths.
Long stole six bases a year ago and has stolen three so far this season.
“He’s just a dynamic player if he can swing the bat consistently, stay in the lineup,” DiMare said. “Basically get on base, that’s what he needs to do. He needs to get on base. And he’s doing that. He’s hitting, he’s hitting home runs, he’s getting some hits, he’s bunting, he’s walking, he’s getting on base. And as long as he does that he’ll continue to play.”
Long has played in 44 games this year but had had only two games with multiple at-bats prior to last week.
The Hurricanes gave him a shot to play a more extended role in the final two games of a weekend series against Pittsburgh, and he delivered. Long finished out the series 4-of-9 at the plate with a double.
He then went 2-of-4 at the plate in a mid-week game at FIU, hitting a homer and notching two RBI.
A regular-season finale series against Duke didn’t start off quite as well with Long going 0-for-4 at the plate on Thursday night, but he’ll have a chance to make his mark in the final two games before Miami begins postseason play. DiMare clearly would like to get Jacoby Long more playing time.
Miami and Duke are scheduled to begin Game 2 of the series at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Field.
The post Gino DiMare reveals how Jacoby Long can increase playing time appeared first on On3.
