Corporan goes from catching grounders to catching fastballs

The Fort Myers Miracle have cornered the market on infielders-turned-catchers with the addition of Elvis Corporan.

Corporan joined the team two weeks ago to share catching duties with Jose Morales.

Like Morales, Corporan is a converted infielder, moving behind the plate during spring training after spending the majority of his career at third base.

Corporan played third for the FSL's Tampa Yankees last season before signing a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Twins.

Like the Twins did with Morales before the 2003 season, they convinced Corporan to put away the infielder's glove and pick up a catcher's mitt.

It hasn't been an easy transition, but one that's proved lucrative for Corporan -- in experience gained if not money earned.

The 2004 minor league season is only three months old, but Corporan has already played at extended spring training, Class AAA Rochester and Class AA New Britain before being sent to the Miracle.

Don't let the constant jumping from Class to Class fool you, Corporan is not a catching prodigy, just a guy with a glove, a mask and the good fortune to be playing in an organization looking for depth at catcher.

While the Twins appear to be set at the major league level with rookie Joe Mauer, the minors need bodies, guys like Morales and Corporan, who may not be in Minnesota's big league future but can produce at least at the minor league level.

"I was like, 'Well, if I like the game I've got to do something,' " Corporan said.

Even if that "something" means getting bruised, battered and beaten down by playing the most demanding position in the game.

"It hurts, but so far I'm reacting pretty good," Corporan said. "You get worn out when you're out there, but if I want to play, this is what I'm going to do."

Corporan hopes he can regain the stroke he showed at Rochester, where he batted over .400 during his 10-day stay before moving down to New Britain.

Corporan's averaged dipped at Double-A but he's off to a decent start with the Miracle, hitting .258 in seven games with a homer and four RBIs.

If Corporan needs a tutor, he's got a good one in Morales. Morales spent his entire career as a shortstop and second baseman before the Twins moved him to catcher before the 2003 season. Eighteen months later, Morales is a Florida State League All-Star batting .280.

SLOW START: The Miracle's hope for a fresh start to the second half of the FSL season has been dashed by more struggles against the East Division.

Fort Myers is off to a 1-5 start before Monday night's game against Daytona, and the five-game losing streak ties a season-long.

While the hitting — a problem during the season's first half — has been there, the pitching and defense have not. The Miracle committed 11 errors and the staff's ERA is 6.26 through the first week.

One of the bright spots continues to be outfielder Doug Deeds. His nine triples ties the Miracle season record set by Michael Restovich in 2000 and leads the FSL. He's also hit .367 over his last 15 games to lift his average to .298.

NOTES: The Miracle end their second 10-game road trip of the season Thursday at Sarasota. The team will then host 19 of its next 29 games, starting with a two-game set with Sarasota on Friday and Saturday at Hammond Stadium. There will be fireworks after Saturday's game in honor of Independence Day.

Alex Romero has reached base safely in 16 straight games and has drawn a team-high 28 walks.

Former Miracle outfielder Jason Kubel is tearing up Rochester. He is hitting .353 in 34 games at Triple A.

Willie Eyre, Miracle Class of 2002, is 5-1 at Rochester this season while Jesse Crain, Miracle Class of 2003, is 2-2 with 16 saves.