The outfield training was more or less what he was used to, though the training was light. Fly balls, grounders and the like before throwing back into the infield.
The first thing Ken noticed was that everyone on the team was good. The atmosphere was different, even though it was only a light training session.
'So this is how professionals train…' Ken thought, his mind adjusting. He had yet to shift his perspective from that of a college player. Everyone here was fighting for a spot to move up to the big leagues, of course they would not slack off.
However, this did not intimidate Ken. If anything, it only fueled the fire within him.
"Let's head over to the batting cages." One of the assistant coaches directed. The outfielders complied, making their way over to the plate. There were 8 players, and each needed to hit around 20 balls.
He turned to the mound and saw one of the pitching coaches standing behind the net. Even with Ken's memory, he couldn't remember the guy's name.
"Have you been practicing with a wooden bat?" Cain asked him casually.
"Hmm? I hit with a wooden bat all through college." Ken replied.
"Eh? You could afford to do that?"
"Well… I technically only broke two bats. My friend broke one as well."
"Sheesh, that's expensive." Cain quipped, shaking his head, "I definitely couldn't afford that when I went to college."
"Which college did you go to? If you don't mind me asking." Ken asked, curious.
Cain sighed, "I went to a Junior College. Unfortunately I was never scouted heavily after High School so I didn't get to choose one of the big schools. In fact, I went undrafted in 2018."
"Ah… Sorry to hear that." Ken didn't really know how to respond. It would probably be a bit inappropriate for him as the #3 pick in the most recent draft to speak on the matter.
This time Cain laughed, "It's no matter. I'm a much better player now that I've been in the minors for a few years. I made it up to the Triple-A but I was sent back here a few months ago." His voice trailed off.
Ken didn't need his insightful trait to know that the guy was disappointed.
"You'll make it back." Ken replied, patting him on the shoulder. It might not mean much coming from him who had only met the guy yesterday, but Ken felt like he should console the guy.
"Yeah… I'll get back there soon." Cain said with determination.
"Rookie, you head up to the batters box first. Show us old folks how it's done." Cain added, nudging Ken.
Ken nodded and headed over to grab a helmet and pick a bat. Thankfully, he found one that was the exact model of the one he'd been using for the past 3 years, though it looked a little older.
"Do you mind if I go first?" He asked a few of the other players. He didn't want to step on any toes after only just joining the team. Plus, they had a game tonight, whereas he would just be a spectator.
"Go for it."
After hearing a few words of encouragement, Ken bowed slightly and made his way up into the batters box.
"I'll just take a few practice swings if you don't mind." He said, raising his hand towards the pitching coach.
With that, he got into position and took a few heavy swings, loosening up. He knew the pitches weren't going to be overly fast, but he still wanted to hit them well, especially since it was his first practice in a new team.
After about a minute, Ken thanked the coach and got into position. He went through his usual ritual and turned to face the man, sending him a nod.
This first pitch came, probably in the 75-80mph range.
WHOOOOSH
THWACK!
Ken followed the ball and watched it fly deep into the outfield. The feedback in his arms told him that it was hit in the center of the bat. The feeling was something that every batter longed to experience with every at-bat.
"Dayuuuuum!" Cain exclaimed while others whistled in appreciation at the hit.
"That probably went over 400 feet… Isn't he meant to be a pitcher?" One of the players asked, wearing an incredulous expression.
"Didn't you hear the coach? He's a two-way player…"
"Have you ever seen a two-way player who can pitch 100mph and hit bombs like that?" The other player responded incredulously.
"Yeah… Just then."
"…"
WHOOOOSH
THWACK!
The next pitch was hit into the left outfield this time, once again clearing the back wall with ease. With the slower pitches, it was almost too easy for Ken, but this was the intention of this batting practice, to focus on technique.
Twenty pitches, twenty hits. All but three were hit over the back wall.
"Thank you." Ken said, bowing slightly to the pitching coach and leaving the batters box. He could feel the eyes of the outfielders on him, there looks had changed slightly, as if filled with a little more respect.
Of course this made him feel good, but he didn't want to let it get to his head. He needed to show that he was ready to play in the Double-A, such a small showing would not guarantee such a thing.
"Nice one rookie. Keep hitting like that and you won't be hanging around here for long." Cain said with a wide grin. He pat Ken on the back, a little too hard.
"T—Thanks…"
Ken stayed close by while the rest of the outfielders went through their batting practice. Perhaps it was because he set the precedent, but many were doing their best to send the ball over the back fence.
Cain on the other hand was far more meticulous. He hit 5 to the left, center and right outfield and the remaining 5 were home runs. It seemed that he was purposefully controlling his hits to achieve this.