‘Dream come true': How Curtis Washington Jr. turned offseason changes into success

Yahoo

6 days ago

Curtis Washington Jr. is working smarter, not harder.
His first few offseasons included extended time in the batting cages. He would take as many swings as possible, focusing on his swing path, how he was starting and where his bat was finishing. He wasn't done until he put in what he felt was the maximum amount of work each day.
This offseason, the West Memphis, Arkansas, native and 2022 19th-round pick vowed to make the most of his hitting workouts, putting an emphasis on having a routine at the plate. But less time doesn't mean less work.
'I would try to do too much and have so many swings in one day,' Washington said. 'This offseason, it was more of just get barrels, get barrels, feel good, keep the swing count down and be done for the day.'
Learning experiences are what a pro baseball player's time in the minor leagues is for. That's why he's having a career year.
He is the Nuts' leadoff hitter, his first time hitting in the top spot in the order since high school, and has improved his batting average from .201 in his first season in Modesto to .348 during the most recent series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He also already has a career-high 47 hits, 12 doubles and 30 runs scored. He has tied single-season career highs in triples (3) and home runs (2) and is on pace to set new career highs in RBI (he has 18 entering Friday's game) and stolen bases (15).
'It's definitely something I've been dreaming of my whole life,' Washington said of his offensive production this season. 'Everything that's happening for me has been a dream come true, from starting the season off strong to batting in the leadoff spot. … At this level, these are all surreal moments. I just want to continue to put in the work and go out there and play every game like it's my last.'
In a season of firsts for Washington, none is likely to stand out more than his 5-for-6 game in Modesto's 10-3 road win over the Inland Empire 66ers. Washington hit his first leadoff home run and hit for the cycle for the first time in his career.
'And it was a day after my 25th birthday,' Washington added with a smile. 'It was all hitting me at once.'
He recorded a home run in the top of the first inning, a triple in the second, a double in the fourth and a single in the sixth. He also added another double in the top of the ninth inning.
First-year manager Luis Caballero said Washington always has been a team-first guy, which made it easy for the dugout to celebrate after the outfielder bounced a single through the right side of the infield, securing the first cycle for a Modesto player in over a decade.
'It's just baseball and life giving him what he deserves,' Caballero said. 'Things are going well for him and it's just a result of him being consistent with his character, his personality and, obviously, the hard work.'
If Washington ever was affected by the ups and downs of professional baseball, he didn't show it.
His smile stayed the same, his energy upbeat, and he celebrated his teammates whether it was from the outfield or in the dugout.
In his three years in Modesto, he's seen it all. Now, he is the leadoff hitter but spent his first two seasons batting eighth and ninth. His speed made him a constant threat when he was on base, but offensively, he didn't progress like others in his draft class.
He was put on the development list in August 2023, where he practiced with the Nuts but was not allowed to play. He spent games in the dugout and, at times, as the first-base coach. During that time, he decided to go from switch hitting to being a full-time right-hand hitter.
'My first year here was my first year switch hitting in my career,' he said. 'It was something I wanted to put to the test. … That was also part of me thinking I needed to do more and showcase more ability in my game.'
He stayed on the list the rest of that season but was there to see the Nuts win their first of back-to-back California League titles.
Defensively, Washington always shined.
His speed and ability to track the ball kept him in the lineup and gave him the ability to play anywhere in the outfield.
He made his share of SportsCenter Top 10-worthy catches, laying out to dive for a fly ball or make a running catch before banging against the outfield wall. His defensive prowess earned him temporary stints with High-A Everett and Triple-A Tacoma, but just as a reserve. He returned to Modesto to finish the season.
Caballero said Washington has an infectious personality and no problem being a vocal leader. But younger players on this year's Nuts roster also can learn just by watching him and learning about his story.
Washington is the perfect example that things won't always go your way in the pros.
Surely, in a perfect world, he'd be in Everett or in Double-A with the Arkansas Travelers but Washington said he has just focused on improving.
'I just keep my head down and focus on what I can control,' he said. 'That's coming out here every day, being myself and being a good teammate whether I'm playing or not.'
Washington leads by example, Caballero said. 'The way he shows up every day, the energy he brings to the clubhouse, the effort he puts in every play and every at-bat sometimes speaks louder than words. Younger guys come in and can immediately see the impact he has on the game … they can look at the scoreboard and see his numbers and that says a lot about the grind. It's that everyday work you have to put into the game to get where you want to get. There's a lot to learn from just looking at him every day and I hope the younger guys are learning from him.'
The Nuts are locked in a tight race with the San Jose Giants for the top spot in the California League North first half title.
On the back end of their six-game series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Nuts are just a game ahead of the Giants (28-20).
A first-place finish after the first half of the regular season puts the Nuts one step closer to the California League's first title three-peat.
Washington has been there for each title run. After being on the development list for the first title, he was a mainstay in the lineup for the 2024 title run. After hitting .225 during the regular season, he hit .333 last postseason as the starting center fielder.
In 2024, the Nuts won the first half of league play, securing their postseason spot. It's a balancing act, Washington said. They're not looking too far into the future, but they also know what a No. 1 seed through the first half of the season does for them.
'As a team, we're not really thinking about it right now,' Washington said. 'We're just taking it day by day, continuing to do what we do. But we do want to win the first half. We want to win to have that opportunity to make the playoffs.'