Fletcher showcasing hot bat, golden glove

Arkansas outfielder Dominic Fletcher runs to third base during a game against Auburn on Saturday, April 7, 2018, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE – Last season, right fielder Eric Cole experienced a slump similar to the one Dominic Fletcher battled through at the beginning of this season.

Cole knew what Fletcher was going through as he saw his batting average plummet and his time in the lineup diminish some. However, it was just a matter of time before the California native broke through and became a threat in a powerful Arkansas lineup again.

Fletcher is hitting .362 in Southeastern Conference play through 18 games, good for second-best on the team behind the injured Carson Shaddy’s .418 average. That figure is a far cry from his early-season numbers that resulted in him not starting for the first time all season in the series finale against Southern Cal on March 4, a game in which he he hit a walk-off single as a pinch-hitter.

“We knew it was going to happen at some point, we just didn’t really know when," Cole said. "He’s one of our better hitters for two years in a row, so it’s really just when it was going to click for him. Once you get out of it it’s a great feeling and it’s all uphill from here.

“It’s one of those things where the more you change, the less it’s actually going to happen, so you’ve kind of just got to stick with what’s been working for you your whole life. Luckily, Dominic got out of it pretty quickly.”

Fletcher said his struggles stemmed from a combination of pressing at the plate and swing mechanics. Now, he said, he’s more relaxed as he steps into the box and is sticking with the same approach he’s always had. It was never a confidence issue.

Dave Van Horn said Fletcher has also done a good job of buying in on details that have helped him stay through the ball and shoot pitches to the opposite field when given the chance.

That, and not trying to hit every pitch for a home run, Van Horn added.

“I think he’s just laying off some pitches out of the zone early in the count, and taking singles. … I still think he’s got a lot better days in front of him,” Van Horn said. “He’s been a lot better, but he knows he’s a lot better than what he’s been this year, and we do. Hopefully he can stay hot and really get hot down the stretch for us.”

Fletcher has also been able to reach base a number of times by laying down bunts, taking advantage of the depth at which corner infielders are playing him.

As a freshman at Cypress High School in California, the smaller Fletcher would utilize the bunt to snap out of a hitting funk and create potential scoring chance for his team.

“In high school, freshman year of high school, I was always kind of smaller and not as strong, so I wanted to be a good hitter and hit for average, so that’s one of the things I learned to do," Fletcher said. "I think I have five this year, so it’s working out well.”

After a 0-for-3 game at the plate in the series finale against South Carolina, Fletcher opted to switch things up a bit and shave his mustache.

“I had it for a couple of games and it was good,” Fletcher said with a grin. “Then I went 0-for one game and it was out of hits, so now I’m trying to start a new one to see if it has more hits in it.”

While his high batting average and hit totals – 25 hits in SEC play – grabs a lot of the attention, Cole, Van Horn and Saturday starter Kacey Murphy said they are often in awe of defensive contributions Fletcher makes and his immediate reads on challenging fly balls in the outfield.

Murphy said he’s never seen an outfielder get jumps on balls like Fletcher does regularly. In the final game of the Mississippi State series last weekend, Fletcher made a diving catch to rob the Bulldogs of a run in the eighth inning, keeping the Razorbacks within striking distance in a two-run game.

“When you look at it, he’s not one of the fastest outfielders you’ve ever seen, but he gets to balls that most outfielders can’t get to,” Murphy said. “It’s great as a pitcher because I see balls in the gap and, off the bat, I’m not so worried about it getting down as I am looking to see if he’s going to make a diving catch.”

That ability is natural to Fletcher, and Cole added the outfield group often watches Fletcher take fly balls in the outfield hoping to pick up a thing or two for themselves.

“We’ve got a good defensive outfield and it all starts with Dominic, and it has since the day he stepped on campus,” Cole said. “We have all the faith in the world in him in centerfield to go catch those balls. … I think he can read a swing better than anybody on this team, honestly. It’ll take him a long way.”

Van Horn took it a step further, noting that Fletcher’s glove has saved at least two games for Arkansas this season and helped avoid big innings on a number of occasions. Auburn coach Butch Thompson said Fletcher "robbed four runs" in the Razorbacks 2-1 series-opening win over the Tigers on April 6 when he made a leaping catch at the wall and made a running catch into right field with runners on base.

“I think he’s as good as any center fielder we’ve ever had,” Van Horn said. “He’s not the fastest center fielder I’ve ever had, but he’s probably the best I’ve ever had at not misjudging a ball off the bat.”

Fletcher credits daily work with a high school coach at Cypress for his ability to read balls and gain a half-step often before a pitch comes off the bat. Even if his average isn’t up to his standard, he can still be a plus glove in the outfield.

“I take a ton of pride in that,” he said. “And I know that that’s one of the things that’s a big part of my game, and even if I’m not hitting I can bring that to the table.”