BRISTOL, Va. — On the white piece of tape above Kenneth Gilbert’s locker, neatly etched out in a Sharpie marker are the words “KENNY G.”
The outfielder from Texas has been playing a nice tune with his bat this summer for the Bristol White Sox.
Gilbert is hitting .306 with two home runs and 14 RBIs for the Sox, who saw their Appalachian League doubleheader with the Burlington Royals on Wednesday night postponed by rain.
The two teams are scheduled to play another doubleheader tonight at DeVault Stadium, beginning at 6 p.m.
Gilbert is one of five Bristol players currently boasting batting averages over .300.
“I’m just trying to keep my swing there and keep hitting,” Gilbert said. “I just want to stay focused and finish off the season strong. We’ve only got a month left.”
Gilbert has gotten stronger as the season has progressed. In fact, he had two hits on Monday against Greeneville and boasts a .333 batting average over his last 10 games. A lot of it could be dealt with maturity.
The 19-year-old was picked in the ninth round of the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft and opened his career last season with BriSox. In 26 games, he hit just .203 and struck out 32 times in 74 at-bats.
He started off the current season slow, but hit his way out of the slump. The defining moment may have come in a June 27 game against Bluefield.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Gilbert blasted a game-tying two-run home run over the fence in right field off Bluefield reliever Jason Gurka. The Sox eventually won 6-5.
“I had been late on the first two pitches,” Gilbert said. “I knew he was going to try to bust me inside because I was a lefty. I just tried to stay short and quick with my swing and it worked.”
A few players lingered in Bristol’s clubhouse on Wednesday following the postponement, most of them discussing plans for dinner. Another was talking about finding a place to eat sushi.
As for Gilbert, he quietly stood in front of his locker and reflected on his season. He also knows that the daily grind can make things miserable in early-August.
“You just have to stay tough and go out there every day and do your best,” Gilbert said. “Even if you get tired, you have to fight through it.”
Bristol (18-17) is currently in third place in the Appy League’s West Division.
NOTES: First baseman Jorge Castillo has been Bristol’s most consistent hitter this season and has compiled a .359 batting average with one homer and 20 RBIs. Outfielder Jordan Kendall (.336, one homer, 17 RBIs) and second baseman Andrew Garcia (.309, five homers, 24 RBIs) could also make a case for winning team MVP honors … Burlington has the Appalachian League’s worst record at 14-26 … Bristol pitcher Kevin Asselin leads the Appy League in saves with seven.
thayes@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2570
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