Consistency and versatility.
The Mavericks senior third baseman Caleb Farmer has been a strong and consistent player for the past five years and is continuing that trend throughout the start of the 2022 season.
To start the season off in the Mavericks season opening series at Azusa Pacific, Farmer had one of the best series of his career as he hit six home runs, nine hits and 13 runs batted in (RBI) in the four game series.
Farmer has continued to find that type of success wherever the team is playing rather than be at home or on the road.
Consistency has been the key for Farmer through the first half of the season. Going into Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) last series against the University of Colorado- Colorado Springs, Farmer was riding a 14 game hitting streak. The 15 game streak came to an end in game two of the series against the Mountain Lions on Mar. 19.
Farmer has slid into the number two hole in the Mavericks lineup this season and has definitely felt comfortable in that role.
“ I have always loved hitting in the two hole I don’t know why it has always been my favorite. But I think the biggest thing is that I have had the mindset of listening to the game and whatever the game is telling me to do whether that be a drag bunt, hit and run or just trying to hit a double something that [Haydn] McGeary can hit me in, Farmer said.
The San Jacinto, Cali. native was able to make some adjustments to his swing over the summer and is seeing the adjustments work to his advantage at the plate. Farmer moved his hands back on the bat and separated them allowing him to swing quicker and get more power.
“ This summer I played on the east coach and I had a hitting coach and we did a lot of data analysis and it is called on base university is what we ended up using and it basically has every part of your body for mobility and it is really interetsing. We did that and got my body in a position to use it in the most efficient way. I adjusted my hands back, I created more seperation, and I got more power in my legs leaning back in my heels but to keep my chest over the plate. Just the small little adjustments like that,” Farmer said.
The numbers Farmer has been able to put up this season reflect the consistency and adjustment made this season. He has a batting average of .421, he has collected 40 hits and 26 RBIs.
Farmer has also been a consistent and versatile player for the Mavericks in the field.
“ It opens a lot more doors I think but coming in and just understanding my role for that day if I have to go in and catch oir play third or whatever it may be just kind of doing the best I can at that position to help us win,” Farmer said.
The third baseman signed to CMU five years ago as a catcher but with multiple catchers and him and Spencer Bramwell both coming into the program Farmer looked to play the left side of the infield for the Mavericks.
Being versatile on the defensive side of the game is something that is unique to CMU’s baseball team and Farmer is one of the key parts in the defensive versatility.
“ It is pretty fun. I don’t think that many universities end up doing that with their baseball team. It is a pretty unique situation but it is just fun to see the versatility of our team,” Farmer said.
Over the past two seasons, Farmer has been able to get back into a catching role as him and Bramwell have switched between playing third base and catcher.
“ We are consistently giving feedback with each other if I have the same umpire behind the dish that he did we are kind of giving each other tips on his zone and sweet spots and stuff like that and then same thing for third base, if I am at third I will let him know which ones are peaking at third base for like a drag bunt or something like that. I mean we are consistently giving each other feedback to each other,” Farmer said.
While in the field, Farmer has 27 assists with only three errors. He has been solid at th plate as he has been able to throw out two batters on the base paths.
The Mavericks will continue their season after a weekend off on April 1 as they compete in a non-conference pod series against Regis University and Adams State University. The Mavericks will start the series with a game against Regis University on April 1 at 3 p.m.
