University of Minnesota Athletics
Looks Can Be Deceiving; Sophomore Sam Steidl
5/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Then watch him. Watch him hustle to first. Observe him sneak in a steal right under the infielders' noses. See him sprint from right-center over to left-center, with a diving catch to get an out. Now, admit that looks can be deceiving. Seeing Steidl and reading his stats can reveal two different players.
Sam Steidl knows this and laughs when asked about it. Posing the surprising speed question as nicely as possible, he responded with a smile, "You can say it. I've always been quick. Lifting weights in high school and in college has helped me gain speed, but overall it's just something natural."
His natural ability both in the outfield and at the plate has led Sam to be recognized as one of the top current Gopher baseball players by people within the program and outside the Big Ten. After his redshirting the 2000 season, the Alexandria, Minn. native stepped into the batting order the next season for his freshman year - and what a year that was.
Playing in 53 games, Steidl lead the team with a .401 batting average, 73 hits in 182 at-bats, and reached base more than 53 percent of the time as the leadoff hitter. He had eight games in which he connected for three hits, and amassed a 22-game hit streak - the longest in the 2001 Big Ten season. His 14 stolen bases were second-highest on the team. He scored 50 runs, and drove in 32 including two games with four RBI. His .488 on-base percentage was top on the team and third in the Big Ten. In the field Sam was consistent as well, including an impressive .982 fielding percentage in Big Ten games.
A player doesn't (or shouldn't) enter a season expecting to achieve such high numbers, no matter how talented he may be. For Sam, that was the key to his quick success - playing and working hard, and letting the expectations take care of themselves. "I knew I could play at this level. I played in summer collegiate league to get myself ready for it, and I knew I could bat at this level, but I wasn't really expecting everything that happened."
The coaching staff at the "U" clearly recognized Sam's talent, but did not want to push him too hard during his first season, and was just as pleasantly surprised with Steidl's production. "They knew I had seen college-level pitching [during the summer leagues], but when I came into the season there was no pressure. They just told me that centerfield was open and `you'll get your shot.'"
Minnesota's coaches could not have been happier with their decision to give Sam a shot. After the 2001 season, with undeniably remarkable numbers for any player, much less one in his freshman year, the praises and awards came rolling in. Steidl was named to three Freshman All-American teams: Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and Baseball Weekly. He was selected as a second-team All-Big Ten member, and was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Sam also finished the season as the runner-up to Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
"I was surprised," Steidl said about all the accolades. "It was a cool honor. But the team awards are what really matter. It's neat to get recognized as an individual, but winning the Big Ten tourney was more fun. The other awards were like icing on the cake. The team ones are a bigger accomplishment; they are more worthwhile."
There has been no such thing as a sophomore slump for Steidl either. Through May 6, he was batting .361 in 45 games, with 57 hits, 38 runs and only nine strikeouts. He has drawn 17 walks and has already stolen more bases (18) than last year, with nine more games left on the regular season schedule. Steidl's speed and skills still are fooling opponents.
We know Sam was always deceivingly speedy, but his bat has been a powerful weapon throughout his baseball career as well. His excellent eye and good contact swing don't lead to huge power numbers, but as a leadoff man, that's not his focus. "I'm up there to get on base," Steidl remarked. "Whether that's a walk, hit-by-pitch, forcing an error. With guys like Kendo (Jason Kennedy), (Scott) Howard, (Scott) Welch, and (Luke) Appert following me in the line-up, I want to get on to give them someone to bat in. I'm up there to get things going and I know that my role is to get on base. Hopefully that gets the excitement and confidence up right away."
"When I'm up there I try relax - just see the ball and hit it," Steidl commented about his natural ability with the bat. "You can't think too much and the coaches have helped me with my technique and approaching an at-bat. This year I've been thinking too much, more than I should. Did being a clueless freshman help me last year? Yeah, I would just go up there and hit the ball."
Now take another look at Sam Steidl. Watch him in the field and at bat. Looks can be deceiving, and he knows it. With his solid frame, ("I wear my pants up like old-style baseball - they look fat if they're down.") his speed can be surprising. But at least you won't be fooled anymore.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant, Courtney Walerius
Take a look at Sam Steidl. He's number 20, playing in center field, leadoff hitter for the Golden Gophers. He's about 5'10", a solid 180, with blonde hair, blue eyes and a baby face to match.
Then watch him. Watch him hustle to first. Observe him sneak in a steal right under the infielders' noses. See him sprint from right-center over to left-center, with a diving catch to get an out. Now, admit that looks can be deceiving. Seeing Steidl and reading his stats can reveal two different players.
Sam Steidl knows this and laughs when asked about it. Posing the surprising speed question as nicely as possible, he responded with a smile, "You can say it. I've always been quick. Lifting weights in high school and in college has helped me gain speed, but overall it's just something natural."
His natural ability both in the outfield and at the plate has led Sam to be recognized as one of the top current Gopher baseball players by people within the program and outside the Big Ten. After his redshirting the 2000 season, the Alexandria, Minn. native stepped into the batting order the next season for his freshman year - and what a year that was.
Playing in 53 games, Steidl lead the team with a .401 batting average, 73 hits in 182 at-bats, and reached base more than 53 percent of the time as the leadoff hitter. He had eight games in which he connected for three hits, and amassed a 22-game hit streak - the longest in the 2001 Big Ten season. His 14 stolen bases were second-highest on the team. He scored 50 runs, and drove in 32 including two games with four RBI. His .488 on-base percentage was top on the team and third in the Big Ten. In the field Sam was consistent as well, including an impressive .982 fielding percentage in Big Ten games.
A player doesn't (or shouldn't) enter a season expecting to achieve such high numbers, no matter how talented he may be. For Sam, that was the key to his quick success - playing and working hard, and letting the expectations take care of themselves. "I knew I could play at this level. I played in summer collegiate league to get myself ready for it, and I knew I could bat at this level, but I wasn't really expecting everything that happened."
The coaching staff at the "U" clearly recognized Sam's talent, but did not want to push him too hard during his first season, and was just as pleasantly surprised with Steidl's production. "They knew I had seen college-level pitching [during the summer leagues], but when I came into the season there was no pressure. They just told me that centerfield was open and `you'll get your shot.'"
Minnesota's coaches could not have been happier with their decision to give Sam a shot. After the 2001 season, with undeniably remarkable numbers for any player, much less one in his freshman year, the praises and awards came rolling in. Steidl was named to three Freshman All-American teams: Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and Baseball Weekly. He was selected as a second-team All-Big Ten member, and was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Sam also finished the season as the runner-up to Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
"I was surprised," Steidl said about all the accolades. "It was a cool honor. But the team awards are what really matter. It's neat to get recognized as an individual, but winning the Big Ten tourney was more fun. The other awards were like icing on the cake. The team ones are a bigger accomplishment; they are more worthwhile."
There has been no such thing as a sophomore slump for Steidl either. Through May 6, he was batting .361 in 45 games, with 57 hits, 38 runs and only nine strikeouts. He has drawn 17 walks and has already stolen more bases (18) than last year, with nine more games left on the regular season schedule. Steidl's speed and skills still are fooling opponents.
We know Sam was always deceivingly speedy, but his bat has been a powerful weapon throughout his baseball career as well. His excellent eye and good contact swing don't lead to huge power numbers, but as a leadoff man, that's not his focus. "I'm up there to get on base," Steidl remarked. "Whether that's a walk, hit-by-pitch, forcing an error. With guys like Kendo (Jason Kennedy), (Scott) Howard, (Scott) Welch, and (Luke) Appert following me in the line-up, I want to get on to give them someone to bat in. I'm up there to get things going and I know that my role is to get on base. Hopefully that gets the excitement and confidence up right away."
"When I'm up there I try relax - just see the ball and hit it," Steidl commented about his natural ability with the bat. "You can't think too much and the coaches have helped me with my technique and approaching an at-bat. This year I've been thinking too much, more than I should. Did being a clueless freshman help me last year? Yeah, I would just go up there and hit the ball."
Now take another look at Sam Steidl. Watch him in the field and at bat. Looks can be deceiving, and he knows it. With his solid frame, ("I wear my pants up like old-style baseball - they look fat if they're down.") his speed can be surprising. But at least you won't be fooled anymore.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant, Courtney Walerius
