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Former Hanshin import gives Efren Navarro his seal of approval
As Efren Navarro (32), currently with the AAA Iowa Cubs, appears all but certain to join the Hanshin Tigers, Iowa’s hitting coach Desi Wilson (50) gave the player his seal of approval. Wilson himself learned first-hand how difficult it is to succeed in Japan when he signed with Hanshin in 1998. Still, he sees Navarro’s .400 average against lefties as a major advantage, and Iowa manager Marty Pevey (55) has high praise for Navarro’s defense as well.
Having watched Navarro more closely than anyone, Wilson is confident he knows the secret to the infielder’s performance. “If he keeps doing what he does here in Japan, I have no doubt he’ll be great,” says Wilson in a solid endorsement of Navarro’s abilities.
In the clubhouse before the game, Wilson relays information from the Cubs’ public relations department, telling the group of reporters who gathered that “Navarro has been removed from the list of active players and cannot do any interviews as this time.”
Wilson calls Navarro a “doubles guy” who “hits line drives into the outfield gaps. Sometimes they end up being home runs.” Coach and player have worked together closely since spring training, focusing on hitting lefty pitching. Navarro went 25-for-115 (.217) against southpaws last season. Wilson’s advice? “Don’t try to pull the ball. Always be thinking ‘center’ or ‘left.’” Keep your body aligned, and keep your weight back.
“By changing his approach he’s been able to see cut balls, sliders, any pitch that breaks outside,” Wilson says. The proof is in the pudding. This season, Navarro is hitting lefties at an astounding .400 (18-for-45). This ability to evolve — even in his 12th year as a pro — may prove to be the key to succeeding in Japan.
Wilson himself played for Hanshin back in 1998. However, the team had other foreign players at the time — including Alonzo Powell and David Hansen — and Wilson ultimately played only 16 games on the top squad. Unable to make an impact, he left the team after only one year.
Wilson says that when he heard that Navarro might end up playing in Japan, he talked to the infielder about his own experience. “Hanshin’s a great club, and the fans are intense. I was treated with a lot of respect.” While admitting that it’s difficult to play well when you move to a foreign country mid-season, Wilson says that “it’s still the same game. What’s important is your mental state. You’re in a different zone, so you need to remember to be aggressive.”
Wilson isn’t the only one who gives Navarro a positive review. Manager Pevey heaped praise on him as well. “The first thing I want to say is: great defense. He’s the best first baseman. You could say the same thing about his fielding in left.” Pevey also complimented Navarro’s positive character, before expressing his regret that such a player may be leaving. “The last thing I want to say is: it would really be too bad to see him go.”
Perhaps, then, it’s no surprise that Hanshin appears more and more likely to sign the infielder with each passing day.
Translated by Jacob Dunlap