Cougars infielder Mark Karaviotis is a busy man these days.
Karaviotis spends time every day rehabbing a shoulder injury he suffered last year at Oregon. That forced the natural shortstop to learn a new position — first base — just to stay in the lineup.
Despite all the extra work he puts into his fielding on a daily basis, one constant remains.
All he does is hit.
Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in last year’s 19th round, Karaviotis arrived in Kane County on May 11 from extended spring training.
Entering Tuesday’s game with Peoria, he’s hitting .343, giving the Cougars a spark in the middle of a first-half pennant race.
“Being in the lineup every day and just being able to do whatever I can for the team, that’s the goal,” Karaviotis said. “I just try to put the team in the best position I can to win.”
Cougars manager Butch Hobson appreciates that mentality. He has used Karaviotis at first base 26 times, even with the on-the-job training at the position, just to make sure the potent bat is in the middle of the lineup.
“He’s got a pretty good idea at the plate of what he wants to do and he sticks to his game plan,” Hobson said. “He’s smart for a young guy. He’s got a good eye at the plate and will take his walks.
“He’s looking for his pitch, and he’s getting it and he’s not missing it. He’s been a big bat in our lineup, a big lift.”
Karaviotis is no stranger to the Diamondbacks’ organization. He was drafted in the 39th round by Arizona coming out of Maui High School in Hawaii. He opted to go to Oregon instead.
Seven games into his junior season, he suffered a shoulder injury. One of the only teams to see him play that year was the Diamondbacks, who they filed that away for the June draft.
“They just happened to be here for the series that I happened to do very well in,” Karaviotis said. “It just worked out like that.”
Karaviotis was a hit immediately after being drafted. He batted .347 last year between rookie ball and short-season Class A Hillsboro.
Karaviotis reports that his arm feels the best it has since he was injured as he tries to work his way back into the middle infield. In the meantime, he’s enjoying learning a new position.
“It’s just trying to get used to the footwork, with all the different coverages, different angles and whatnot,” Karaviotis said. “You’re pretty much involved in every play as opposed to the middle infield.
“I just continue working on my arm slot and accuracy. I’m excited and happy with where (my arm) is right now. Just being in the lineup every day is what I’m focused on. Wherever Butch needs me, I’m down for.”
Karaviotis has hit mostly cleanup since his arrival, and he gives the offense a much-needed boost. The Cougars entered play Tuesday a half-game behind Cedar Rapids for the Midwest League Western Division first-half title.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Karaviotis said. “I was just telling one of the guys, the other day we looked out on the field and eight of the nine guys were playing in Hillsboro last year. It’s almost the same guys, familiar faces.
“We jelled together last year and we rolled that over to this year.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.
