H.B. Awkard improved enough for 3 rookie ball seasons
.jpg)
Nelson County High School senior H.B. Awkard enjoyed his best season in 1989, hitting .596, with seven home runs, The Lynchburg News and Advance wrote.
He explained to The News and Advance why.
"I've been able to hit a little better every year," Awkard told The News and Advance. "My bat speed has increased every year and now I pull the ball more instead of hitting everything to the opposite field."
Awkard went on from that senior season to turn pro. His pro career lasted three seasons. He saw rookie ball all three seasons.
Awkard's career began that year in 1989, taken by the Red Sox in the 19th round of the draft out of Nelson County High in Virginia.
In high school, Awkard led his Blue Ridge Babe Ruth team to a July 1988 win, with six RBI, The Waynesboro News-Virginian wrote.
"I was hitting curves," Awkard told The News-Virginian. "I move up in the batters box and try to hit them before they break. I was also going to the opposite field a lot."
With the Red Sox, Awkard started in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He got into 24 games and hit .143. He then returned there for 1990. His season was limited to eight games. He went 5 for 19.
For 1991, Awkard moved to the Rangers and their Gulf Coast League team. He played in 38 games. He hit .227, with three home runs. That season with the Rangers marked the end of his career.
- Lynchburg News and Advance, May 18, 1989: Awkard swings with purpose in senior year
- Waynesboro News-Virginian, July 26, 1988: Showalter Hurls No-Hitter As Blue Ridge Blanks Foes
Made the Majors:1,481-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,173-68.2%-X