Tim Holdgrafer steals second base in Vikes'
second-round win over Scripps Ranch.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
Gary Frank has some thoughtful comments on his CIF Player of the Year, Tim Holdgrafer, who just walked through graduation Mon., June 15.
It is Frank's view that Holdgrafer's senior season came together in such effectiveness--not because his will and desire increased--but largely because of his physical maturation.
The right-handed batter and pitcher hit .364, with 24 RBI's and 20 stolen bases, while setting a school record with his 10 wins in 11 decisions on the mound, combined with a 0.87 ERA, second best all-time at La Jolla High.
"His hitting was consistent through all three years (on varsity)," says the Viking head coach. "The only difference for him was his physical maturation. As he grew and became stronger, he was able to drive the ball through the infield easier."
Holdgrafer is wiry. Slender. His build helped him in swiping bases. It's impressive how, with a slender frame, his fastball speed often cracked the catcher's glove. No one had a gun on him, that I am aware of, but his pitch speed was plenty.
Regarding his pitching, Frank says "a lot of it" in dominating the opposition--Tim held opposing hitters to a .202 batting average--was the confidence he had built up in his previous two years pitching on the varsity. He was named all-league his sophomore and junior years, as well as his senior year.
"It was also a huge advantage for him to have had two full years of varsity pitching experience to fall back on," continued the coach. "He knew exactly what it would take to be successful at our level."
He also developed a weapon of his: his slider as a "top-notch wipeout pitch", Frank says.
"The bottom line is, Tim didn't increase his desire. His passion and desire have always been there. His body has simply started to catch up to his desire and baseball knowledge."
Holdgrafer's uptick from nine stolen bases as a junior to the 20 in his final season was "simply the result of a great increase in foot speed," says Frank. He combined this with his "high baseball IQ" to exploit the defense on the basepaths.
Copyright 2015 Ed Piper
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