Eric Wagaman Shows Promise In Pulaski Pinstripes

The success of first baseman Eric Wagaman has many fans anticipating a move up in the coming weeks, but baseball analysts say Wagaman is here to stay-at least for now. He's currently hitting .333 with two homeruns and an Appalachian League- leading 12 RBI.
Wagaman is in his first season with the Yankees organization after being selected in the 13^th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He had a stellar sophomore season at Orange Coast Community College in Costa Mesa, CA. Wagaman hit .332 with 14 homeruns and 49 RBI in 47 games during his final college season.
"It has been an adjustment and the hitting coaches are very helpful and they've made an impact on me already," said Wagaman on transitioning from the collegiate ranks to professional baseball.
Wagaman credits his early success to his maturation as a hitter between his freshman and sophomore seasons in college.
"Straight out of high school I was just trying to hit homeruns," Wagaman said on his freshman year.
Wagaman worked on his mentality at the plate prior to the start of his sophomore campaign.
"I went to play summer ball in Iowa and I kind of worked on some things trying to have a shorter swing...and try and hit more for average," Wagaman said.
One of Wagaman's main goals for Pulaski has been to drive in runs. 
"When [runners] are in scoring position or there is a guy on third all of my focus is get that guy in. Whether I need to hit a sac fly or I need to get a base hit that's what I'm focusing on," Wagaman said.
Wagaman continues to set a high bar for himself moving forward. "I would like to be a guy who can hit for average and power-both," he said. 
"I want to have as many walks as I do strikeouts," Wagaman added.
With Wagaman's current success there has been speculation he may get pulled up a class. But analysts say the Rookie level gives players an opportunity for players to grow and develop, and there is still room for Wagaman to grow.
Wagaman also shared how much he enjoys playing in front of the hometown fans in Pulaski.
"This stadium (Calfee Park) is awesome I've never really played in front of this big of a crowd or really in a stadium like this...it's a really cool environment to play in," he said.
With his approach at the plate and his standout numbers Wagaman is a player to keep an eye on at Calfee Park this season.