Headed home

AUGUSTA, Ga.— Tuesday night, Aaron King studied.

Perched in the stands at Turner Field, the former Fred T. Foard High standout was in many ways like the other thousands gathered to soak in the big-league atmosphere as the San Francisco Giants faced off against the Atlanta Braves.

But King was different. The current Augusta (Ga.) GreenJacket is still in the infancy of his professional career. The learning curve these days is steep.

So King is a student, and like any young hurler looking to carve his path to a Major League destination, King knew valuable lessons could be learned.

"It was definitely one of the most motivational days I've had in a long time," said King of his Turner Field visit. "You see how (Major League pitchers) pitch, and what they do to get people out. They're up there for a reason.

"You just try to pick up what you can, and they throw pointers at me just by playing."

"The mechanics displayed in a throwing motion, the manner in which a big leaguer holds a runner on base. Subtleties that can have a large hand in how quickly a pitcher sifts his way through the minor league ranks.

But while Tuesday may have been one of King's most inspirational trips, Sunday's stop may be his most emotional since the 6-foot-4, 205-pound left-hander was selected by the Giants in the seventh round of last year's draft.

When King next takes the hill, he'll do so at home. That is, in the town he has called home for two decades when the GreenJackets take on the Hickory Crawdads at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The start, King says, will be one packed with both exhilaration and edginess. It's also one that can help the 20-year-old build upon some solid numbers posted over the season's first four months.

"It's a dream come true. I wanted to play on that field as a pro, either for the Crawdads of against them, and now I'll have that chance," said King, who added sleeping in his own bed and having a few home-cooked meals will provide a couple of extra benefits. "I know it will be sort of overwhelming, but I have to remember to be a ball player first.

"I can't let (the homecoming) affect me."

As a GreenJackets starter, King will bring a 4-5 mark and 3.95 earned run average along with 48 strikeouts and 34 walks in 68.1 innings of work. Though not spectacular, the totals are improving, said King, thanks to a mental adjustment made as the season progresses.

"It's been about being calm on the mound and not worrying about everything," King said. "Before, I was thinking about the wrong things at the wrong time, and just thinking too much on the mound.
"Now I'm trying to stay in the mindset of just pitching."

As well as adjusting to the fact that every hitter he now faces is a threat. Gone are the high school days and year spent at Surry Community College when King may have powered his way through a team with his fastball.

"Now, everyone's a tough out," he said. "I have to learn to control all my pitches and have everything working for you at all times instead of here and there.

"You've gotta go through hitters one by one, and you have to learn to be more of a pitcher."

And King said he hopes the education he receives each time he takes the hill leads to some stellar grades in the years ahead.

"This year, I just want to have good numbers and learn something every day," King said. "Every time I go to the park, I want to try and learn something new. Maybe that will lead to some bigger things in the future."