Blue Devil turned Diamond Hog playing in Prospect League
Washington getting a chance to shine suiting up for Cape Catfish
sports@theeveningtimes.com
Former West Memphis Blue Devil and current Arkansas Razorback Curtis Washington Jr. is fresh off of his first season at the University of Arkansas where he was a role-player in helping the Diamond Hogs get back to the College World Series.
Now the soon-to-be sophomore is spending his summer in the Prospect League as a member of the Cape Catfish playing out of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The Catfish play in the Prospect League’s West Division, joining the DuPage Pistol Shrimp, Hannibal Hoots, Normal CornBelters, Quincy Gems and Springfield Sliders.
Mark Hogan, a retired former baseball coach at Southeast Missouri State University, serves as the team’s General Manager.
The Catfish play in 2,000 seat Capaha Field. Former Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds player Steve Larkin is the manager for the 2019 season, which is the inaugural season for the Catfish.
In 26 games this season with the Catfish, Washington is batting .293, with 26 hits, 3 home runs and 16 runs batted in. Washington says he hopes that amount of playing time and reps helps him as he enters his sophomore season in Fayetteville.
In his freshman season, the opportunities were limited for the former West Memphis standout, Washington made them count, including a highlight reel leadoff home run in the seventh inning in a 3-for-6 performance in a win over Northwestern State in May. It was his first long ball and came in just the fourth start of his young career.
“Man, when it left the bat, I was just praying it went over and when it did, it was a relief,” Washington said with a smile. “I just enjoyed the moment running around the bases.”
Washington thrived in his role as a “mid-week starter” giving usual left fielder and fellow freshman Christian Franklin some rest and as a valuable bench player for the Razorbacks.
“He plays the game hard and hits the ball all over the field,” head coach Dave Van Horn said. “He’s still a developing player. We see him every day and we know what he’s good at and what he really needs to work on.”
Washington had an impressive .385/.531/.680 slash line in limited action in 2019. With the opportunities he gets, he likes to swing at strikes and capitalize on them.
“I normally don’t get too many good pitches to hit, so when it comes, I try to put a good swing on it,” he said, and Washington knows he will get his opportunity. The main reason Washington’s reps are limited is because Arkansas is loaded in the outfield.
Franklin has been an excellent defender in left while also delivering some clutch hits. Veterans Dominic Fletcher (a veteran in center and reigning SEC All-Defensive Team selection) and Heston Kjerstad (right-fielder and a preseason All-American) had their spots on lock.
Still, Washington became a versatile utility guy for the Razorbacks, as a pinch runner, pinch hitter or defensive replacement for any of the three outfield spots. He even played some third base.
Van Horn said, “He knows his role, and he’s done a great job with it.”
