March 14, 2020

By Keegan Lavigne

Canadian Baseball Network

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Emilien Pitre’s baseball goals for the immediate future are clear – to improve and to be a starter on the Junior National Team.

The 17-year-old Quebec native who committed to the University of Kentucky this past summer, was cut from the Quebec boys' 15-and-under team back in 2017.

At that point Pitre was a pitcher, but that did not slow him down. The next year he came back, tried out as a shortstop and made the roster.

“It gave me determination,” Pitre said after Wednesday’s batting practice at Baseball City Field. “It was the first time I was cut from a team, so I never felt that feeling before.

“I think I need to have failure in life to strive after.”

He said his infield skills came naturally to him.

“I just tried out as a shortstop the next year and everything was effortless, and I feel really good at shortstop.”

Pitre believes that being a former pitcher gives him a bit of an edge at the plate.

“It really benefits me because I know the mind of the pitcher and what pitches will come at 2-0 and 3-0 counts and it benefits me at this side of the plate.”

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Pitre isn't the biggest or strongest guy on the team. He has mainly been focusing on improving his hitting, especially to the opposite field.

“I’m playing the small ball and driving the ball the other way,” he said.

“I have some difficulties against left-handed pitchers, so I always watch the pitcher in the bullpen, throwing before the game, and recognize his off-speed pitches.”

Junior National Team Head Coach Greg Hamilton said Pitre “has a nice easy swing. His hands work, he’s staying inside of his abilities, he’s not the kind of guy who hits the ball over the trees, but he’s using the ballpark and making hard contact.”