Super season gives Hartung’s future a boost

He had the kind of year baseball players dream about.

Not only did former University of Maine All-American outfielder-designated hitter Andy Hartung lead the Carolina League in runs batted in with 94 for his Winston-Salem (N.C.) team, his first game in Class AA saw him hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to win a ballgame. That winhelped propel Charlotte (N.C.) into the Southern League playoffs.

Hartung, a Stoneham, Mass., native who just completed his third year in the Chicago Cubs organization, was drafted in the 31st round by the Cubs in 1990 and passed up his senior year at Maine.

“The more I sit back and think about it, I couldn’t have dreamed of having a better year,” said the 23-year-old Hartung, who hit .278 for the (Winston-Salem) Spirits with 23 homers, 25 doubles, four triples and 76 runs. “The power numbers were there and I hit around .280.”

He was second in the league in hits (138) and extra-base hits (52) and third in homers. Hartung had 10 stolen bases and 47 walks and struck out 91 times. The first baseman committed 19 errors in 132 games. He was chosen to the Carolina League’s Southern Division All-Star team and was chosen as Winston-Salem’s Most Valuable Player by the local boosters club.

Hartung was called up to Charlotte and hit his dramatic three-run homer against Jacksonville.

In two games, Hartung went 3-for-9. He went 0-for-2 in two of Charlotte’s three playoff games.

“We were very happy with Andy’s season. There’s no way we couldn’t have been,” said Scott Nelson, the Cubs’ assistant director of player development and scouting. “He had an outstanding year and he made progress. He’s a great person who goes out, does his job and works very hard.”

Hartung said the key to his productive year was his ability to “zone up” a pitch.

“I looked for a pitch in my spot and I really thought about the count,” said Hartung. “I opened the zone up with one strike and tried to protect the plate with two strikes. I think I hit around eight of my homers with two strikes. And I hit the ball to all fields.”

Hartung said he was pleased that he was able to stay “consistent” and that he did a better job hitting the inside pitch this season.

“I hit the inside pitch pretty well. That’s where most of the teams pitch me,” said the 6-foot-1, 208-pound Hartung. “So that’s where I looked for the ball. If they threw me a fastball on the outside corner, I’d give it to them.”

Hartung was satisfied with his defensive play in his second season as a first baseman.

“I thought I did pretty well. But I need work in every aspect of the game and my goal this year is to really work on my defense,” said Hartung.

Nelson said the Cubs would like to see Hartung improve his defense and his baserunning.

“Andy is an offensive player, but we’d like to see him work hard on his defense and stay in shape so he can be the best runner he can possibly be,” said Nelson.

Nelson said Hartung will be projected to start next season in AA with the Cubs’ new affiliate in Orlando, Fla.

“I just want to keep moving up,” said Hartung, who roomed with former Bear teammate pitcher Ben Burlingame when he was with Winston-Salem. “I still have a lot of work to do.”

Nelson is trying to find a winter league for Hartung to play in, but Hartung has mixed emotions about it.

“I’ve talked to a lot of guys who have played winter ball. Some say it really helped them and others said it wasn’t worth it,” said Hartung. “I’ll just wait and see what happens and what I would have to deal with.”