Brick a building block for Mat-Su Miners

PALMER — Prior to the start of the 2015 Alaska Baseball League season, Mat-Su Miners head coach Ben Taylor called Brick Paskiewicz the wild card on the roster.

It didn’t take long for that wild card to emerge as one of the building blocks for the league-leading Miners.

Recruited as a player who can hit, pitch and play in the field, Paskiewicz, a nationally recognized junior college standout, has become one of the top all-around talents in the ABL. Heading into Mat-Su’s game against Chugiak Saturday night, Paskiewicz, the top closer in the ABL, leads the league with nine saves. He’s also second in the ABL with a .370 batting average. Mat-Su’s two-way talent is a big reason why the Miners have won 20 of their first 26 games of the summer.

“I knew he’d be big, but didn’t know he’d become what he’s become,” Taylor said of Paskiewicz recently. “I’ve never had a two-way guy like this. Usually something gives on either side. But that’s not the case here.”

Taylor — a longtime college coach, summer collegiate head coach and Major League Baseball scout — said, not only is Paskiewicz the best two-way player he’s ever coached, but is among the best two-way talents he’s ever seen. Taylor said he’d have to go back to former Cal State Fullerton standout and longtime Major Leaguer Mark Kotsay to find a two-way player of that caliber. Kotsay, a standout outfielder and closer in college, led Fullerton to the 1995 College World Series title, before playing nearly 2,000 games in the majors.

It may be two early to tell if Paskiewicz is headed for a Kotsay-like career, but Taylor said Paskiewicz possesses the tools and passion for the game to be a success.

“He plays with such passion, a passion to win, a passion for the game,” Taylor said. “His energy is infectious.”

Prior to the 2015 college season, Paskiewicz, a sophomore at Paradise Valley Community College in Arizona, was listed at No. 63 in the Perfect Game’s list of the top 200 junior college prospects in the country.

As a sophomore at Paradise Valley, Paskiewicz led his team with a .351 batting average. He was also first in hits (65), runs (39) and stolen bases. On the mound, Paskiewicz led his team with six saves. He was also 4-0 with a 3.22 earned run average and 52 strikeouts in 50.1 innings.

As a freshman at Paradise Valley, Paskiewicz was a National Junior College gold glove for his play in center field.

With the Miners, Paskiewicz is among team and league leaders in a number of categories. At the plate, the right-hander is hitting .370 with 27 hits, 11 runs and seven RBI. On the mound, Paskiewicz is 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA in 15.2 innings. He’s allowed only four hits this season, never more than one hit in an appearance. He’s also given up only two earned runs, and both came in a 5-4 win over Chugiak on June 30. The Miners are 12-0 when Paskiewicz pitches.

“He’s done fantastic,” Taylor said. “He throws a ton of strikes. That’s the big thing with him.”

Paskiewicz said he’s simply happy to continue to be able to be a two-way player with the Miners.

“I’ve kind of done that my whole life,” Paskiewicz said. “I was hoping I’d get that same role (with the Miners). After a few games I earned it. I’m definitely glad I’m able to help out my team.”

Paskiewicz said he doesn’t feel any added stress, assuming multiple roles with a team.

“I don’t think there’s any extra pressure. I just go out there and play my own game,” he said.

Taylor said scouts have been split on whether the future of Paskiewicz is on the mound or in the field. Paskiewicz said he wants to continue being a two-way player, while he can.

“Right now I’m trying to stick with both as long as I can until I get to the next level,” said Paskiewicz, who will play for Grand Canyon University in Arizona in the upcoming year.