An Interview with Greeneville OF Marc Wik

It's easy to write about the George Springers of the world, but I like to look past the top 20 prospects and identify players who may surprise. One such player is Greeneville OF Marc Wik. Wik was drafted in the 21st round in 2012 out of Chabot College in Hayward, California. I first saw Wik last season when I visited Greeneville and he intrigued me. I knew that he was playing with a shoulder issue and I wanted to see what he could do in his second season after having surgery to correct the problem over the off-season. He hasn't disappointed me with his solid season, hitting .283/.442/.342 in 41 games. He has drawn 33 walks while only striking out 21 times. In August, the 21-year old lefty is hitting .302/.474/.372.

But I feel like there is more in there. He looks like a guy who's going to hit for power, but he hasn't done much of that yet. I talked with Greeneville Manager Josh Bonifay about Wik who acknowledged that "he has the body type to have power and he runs well for his size." Bonifay, a former hitting coach, went on to explain that Wik needs to fine-tune his approach in the batter's box, "He gets a little drifty at time, his head movement. So that causes him to not be able to be consistent with the strike zone yet. If [you] go forward, it makes a 95 mile an hour fastball 100. If [you] stay centered, you’re still going to transfer your weight to the front, but your head's got to be still, and his head is still moving a little bit too much."

Bonifay likes Wik's versatility in the field, "He’s able to play left field and right field. His arm strength is really good for a corner outfielder. Like I said he’s got to fine tune some little things within his swing, but he has all the tools to become a pretty good baseball player. He works hard. He can play both of the corner positions. Centerfield is yet to be determined, but I put him in centerfield and he’s played a pretty efficient centerfield. If he fine-tunes a lot of these things, he’s got a pretty good chance."

Marc Wik - August 2013

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Here is what Marc had to say when I talked to him earlier this month, edited for brevity and clarity ~

WTH: Can you tell me a little about the shoulder injury?

MW: I was playing all my sophomore year with the bad left shoulder which is on my glove hand. It would dislocate during games and I would just pop it back in to keep playing so I was just happy to get drafted again [Wik was drafted in the 20th round by Baltimore in 2011]. It was either that or go to college, but school's not big for me so I figured I might as well just start playing the game I love [because it was] possible I might not get another opportunity because of my shoulder. [How is the shoulder now?] It’s never going to be the same. With most injuries, it’s hard to come back and be stronger, but as of now I’m still working at it.

WTH: Is the shoulder injury a factor in your power numbers?

MW: I wouldn't completely base it on that because I'm still figuring the swing out. Figure out ways to be on time and not get too out in front and hit the ball hard. [Does he think he will develop more power?] Eventually, yes.

WTH: What do you bring to the game that another player may not?

MW: To be honest, I’m not too sure. I feel like I have an above average arm for the outfield and I can play multiple positions. I played left, center and right all year and I can also play the infield which kind of works to my abilities and helps me as a player hopefully move up in the organization.

WTH: What do you feel you've accomplished this season and what do you need to work on?

MW: I’d say as of now just staying healthy and making sure I don’t have problems with [my shoulder] because if I don’t stay healthy, I’m not going to be able to play. I’m trying to shed some weight and hopefully after the off-season, come back a lot lighter to help me become faster. That will help.

WTH: What Astros pitcher would you least like to face?

MW: I’d have to say Chris Lee. He’s a left-handed pitcher so lefty/lefty is hard. We don’t face them all too often. And he throws pretty hard. He has a good slider and change up so I think he’d be a difficult match up for me. I’ve faced him. I think I got a hit off of him once, but other than that, he’s tough to handle.

WTH: Who on the team makes you laugh?

MW: Everybody. We’ve got a great group of guys in the clubhouse. We have a lot of fun together. As you can see, it helps because we’ve been winning ball games. It’s just a great group of guys. We’re in there, we all talk to one another, we all mess around with one another so it’s just amazing. It’s a great group.

WTH: How do you like playing for first year Manager Josh Bonifay?

MW: Great guy. He gets it. He’s tough, tough, tough but he doesn’t push you [too hard]. He knows what we need to do so he tells us if we’re making a mistake. He’ll correct us. It’s always positive encouragement.

WTH: Speaking of coaches, do the players on the team have any idea who Hitting Coach Cesar Cedeno is?

MW: Some of us do. Most of us know that he played back in the 70s and 80s. [Do they know how good he was?] Some of us do and some of us don’t. I just know he was an All-Star I think five years [actually four years] and he played 17 years in the big leagues. He doesn’t like to brag too much, but if you ask he’ll tell you what he did. If you ask, he’ll tell you his greatest memory was, I think, hitting a home run during the All-Star game or something.

WTH: What is your walk-up song?

MW: It’s a Dominican based song. It’s by Toxic Crow. It’s called the Wegue Wegue. It sounds close to my last name so I figured that [I would use it].

WTH: Can you tell me something about yourself that most people don't know and might be surprised to hear?

MW: I can dunk a basketball. Or at least I used to be able to.

WTH: What would you do if you couldn't play baseball?

MW: Probably play basketball, at least try. Sports have been everything for me ever since I was young.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

I'm looking forward to seeing Wik's power develop. He already is showing good plate discipline and a plus outfield arm. If he can just find that power that I think is there, he may surprise a few people but, frankly, I won't be one of them.

Marc left me with some final words, "My goal was to get here and I’m finally here. Now I’ve got to just stay healthy and make the best of my opportunities."

Thank you for your time, Marc, and the best of luck as your career continues to unfold.