By Troy Juhn
The chance to play for your hometown team doesn’t come very often. For two straight years however, that’s exactly what Todd Abraham has gotten to do. A graduate of Utica’s Thomas Proctor High School, Abraham is now a utility player for the Binghamton Bearcats in the American East Conference. I talked with Abraham just a few weeks ago about what he looks forward to in year 2 of his time in the PGCBL.
Q: Why did you decide to come back to the Blue Sox for a second summer?
Todd: So number 1: it’s local, it’s home. Good to see and play in front of my family for another summer. It’s a great fit for me. And Number 2: The PGCBL is an amazing league to get a lot of innings and develop and continue to get better as a ballplayer.
Q: What’s going to be different in how you approach this summer compared to last with a year of College under your belt?
Todd: You know last summer I was new to everything. It was really my first glimpse of college ball. And so this year I think I’ll play with a lot more confidence. I learned a lot from other players last season, and now that I have this knowledge, I can hopefully help out the team a lot more in that capacity. Hopefully for me that also means I’m growing as a ballplayer on the field and off the field. Just instilling more confidence this summer is the most important thing for me.
Q: You haven’t gotten a lot of at bats at Binghamton this season, what’s one thing you really want to work on in summer ball with getting more at bats?
Todd: Definitely has to be pitch selection. One of the biggest transitions into the college game is adjusting to pitchers’ more advanced breaking balls. It’s always a big adjustment for young hitters and they’re tough to identify at the plate. I want to get more comfortable at the plate mainly, working on just putting the ball in play and finding holes. Really just working on everything that I can.
Q: What’s one player in the MLB that you look up to?
Todd: If there’s a player to look up to and be like right now, to me it’s Trea Turner. I really love everything he does with his approach at the plate, how he plays the field and just the natural swagger he possesses.
Q: What is just the feeling of playing back home in Utica for another summer in front of your family?
Todd: It’s really tough to explain, but the feeling just kind of gives you goosebumps. I remember feeling this way during last summer’s opening night, and it was such a great feeling. It’s really nice to play in front of the hometown crowd and ball out.
Q: What would you say is the main strength in your game right now and could it improve this summer.
Todd: I think my main strength is my utility. I can really play anywhere in the infield and outfield. Second, Shortstop, right field, versatility is the most important part of my game. It gives you a lot of opportunity to get on the field, you can really fill in anywhere if you are capable of playing at a high level. I’ve played a lot of 2B at Binghamton this year and last summer I played a lot of CF, so those are the two positions I feel comfortable at the most.
Q: Do you have a different mindset and thought process at these different positions?
Todd: Each position, just know your job. Get your job done. Every batter is different and also on how the pitcher pitches. But it’s always important to know what the job is, and that’s how to focus and adapt.
Q: Last year’s team came up short in the playoffs, is there a focus to get back over that hump with some of last year’s guys coming back?
Todd: Absolutely. Last year’s team was great, but we ended up losing in heartbreaking fashion in the playoffs to the Amsterdam Mohawks, a great ballclub. We came in as the underdogs that series, and I liked how we played with a chip on our shoulder last year. We really wanted it last year. The underdog and gritty mentality is really what made out team and I hope that’s the same feeling this summer.