Tennessee utility man Garrett Wright holds the Bowling Green single-season and program hit-by pitch record at 28 and 49, respectively. The junior made his first start at Tennessee in the Vols’ 11-2 win on Wednesday night in Knoxville.
Fittingly, the first plate appearance of Wright’s Tennessee tenure was Oakland starter George Hansen hitting him with a 1-2 pitch in the first inning. What makes Wright so effective at getting hit by pitches?
“Just don’t move,” Wright said. “All it is. Just a warrior mentality. And kind of just go from there.”
Wright doesn’t believe he stands any closer to the plate than any other player. He’s just not going to budge. The junior utility man can hit for power but is not an elite power hitter. He got to Tennessee by getting on base and being a strong defender at multiple spots.
While there’s no true art to getting hit by pitches, Wright goes in the other direction to make sure umpires don’t think he’s trying to get hit by pitches.
“We were just joking today in our hitters meeting about all his hit by pitches,” Tennessee head coach Josh Elander said. “I believe that was his 50th of his career, 51st tonight. And he was like, I don’t wear an EVO shield, so we’re all kind of laughing, because it kind of scared us the way he said it, to be honest with you. He’s a good, tough-nosed player, and it’s a good kind of comedic relief when he’s out there with the guys.”
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“The umpires can’t go against you.,” Wright explained why he doesn’t where an EVO shield. “‘Well, he tried to lean into it.’ Why would I lean into it if I don’t have anything on?”
Wright does prepare to get hit-by pitches too. Since high school, he would stand in front of pitching machines and not move while getting hit by Marv Balls— a softer, squishier baseball. It’s something he practiced this winter while back home.
“Put Marv balls in the machine and just stood in front of it,” Wright said. “My quad was my target of choice.”
Wright flashed his ability to get on base Wednesday night against Oakland, reaching base in four of his five plate appearances. He was hit by two pitches, laid down a RBI bunt single and singled to left field.
The Massillon, Ohio native has missed time with a hamate bone (wrist) injury early this season. He’s able to play in the outfield and swing a bat but is not yet able to catch in games. That is the next step as Wright gets closer to full health.
