Gilroy-native Benji Dequin fitting nicely in long relief role in
Double ‘A’
HARRISBURG, Penn. – Left-handed pitcher Benji Dequin did not know where his baseball career would take him once he was selected by the Montreal Expos in 2000 MLB Draft. But with one goal in mind of making it to the ‘Big Show’ some day – the Gilroy-native did not care where he played, just as long as he was playing.
Dequin – who is now in his first Double ‘A’ stint with the Harrisburg Senators of Pennsylvania – started off with the Vermont Expos and has since played in Clinton, Iowa and last year in Brevard County, Florida.
He’s already traveled a long ways from his hometown of Gilroy all within the Expos’ minor league system – each year progressing to the next level. But the 22-year-old southpaw still has the same deep passion for the game that he had during his days on both the Gilroy High and Gavilan College baseball teams.
“I really don’t mind it at all. I’m playing a game I love to play,” said Dequin, in a phone interview while he was on a homestand in Pennsylvania. “I love it more than anything else. The traveling doesn’t bother me. I meet guys from all over the world. Living out of suitcase doesn’t bother me one bit.”
It’s shown in his pitching as Dequin currently holds a 2-0 record with 14 2/3 innings of shutout ball (0.00 ERA). In his first season with the Senators, Dequin has adapted well to his change from a starter going on schedule every fifth game to a long reliever getting the bullpen call at a moment’s notice.
“At first, I thought it would be difficult to do. But once I started doing it, I fell l right into it. I got quite a few innings to start the season,” Dequin said. “It’s a little more waiting, but it kind of just keeps you ready. It keeps you in the game. You have to pay a lot more attention to the game.”
Dequin has been brought in to gain the advantage on a left-handed batter. He also has come in early on for a struggling starter or after an extended rain delay – taking the long relief duties.
“I think that they’re pretty confident in my pitching. As for my role, it’s tough to really say. In the minor leagues, it’s a little different than the majors (as far as defined roles),” Dequin said. “Right now, my role seems to be that they are kind of saving me for long relief. I’ve been starting for four, five years so they expect me to be able to go four, five innings. They seem to be happy.”
Dequin believes being a reliever will give him a better shot and a shorter road to get into the big leagues than if he remained a starting pitcher.
“Being a left-handed pitcher basically gives me the best opportunity you can have. Being a reliever definitely gives me a better opportunity,” Dequin said. “I probably won’t start in the big leagues. Being a reliever is also the better opportunity to pitch a lot longer. You save your arm and don’t throw as many innings.
“That’s my whole goal to make it to the big leagues,” the ’98 GHS graduate added. “I’d definitely like to move up as soon as possible.”
Oddly enough, Dequin did not pitch much in high school. He mainly played centerfield for the Mustangs. It was not until he went to Gavilan College that his coaches recognized his true calling on the hill.
“Mark Dover was head coach and he had seen me throw a little at Gilroy. He liked that I had a live arm and he worked with me,” said Dequin, who played two seasons with the Rams. “When I went to Gav, that was my first year as a true pitcher. At first, I was thrown into tough situations. Then a couple of guys left the school and I had to step up and throw. I just picked it up as quickly as I could.”
That’s also when Dequin started working with former Gavilan pitching coach Frank LaCorte – a one-time major league pitcher himself whose son Vince LaCorte is also in the minor league system and played together with Dequin in the Midwest League.
“Once I started pitching, I loved being in the center of the diamond,” Dequin said. “I loved being in control.”
After two standout seasons at Gavilan College, Dequin had a decision to make – jump into the minors since being drafted by the Expos or take a scholarship to play college ball at Louisiana State. Dequin opted for the minors and hit the road.
“I was like if I have to leave to pursue my goal, I’m not gonna let something like (being home sick) get in the way. Every once in a while I do miss my own bed,” Dequin said. “I keep myself so busy thinking about baseball, I don’t mind the traveling.”
The last time Dequin was back home in Gilroy was at the end of February before he left for spring training.
“Sometimes it can be weird (coming home). Gilroy is pretty much the same every time except the always seem to add something new,” Dequin said. “Everybody welcomes me back. I have to tell a lot of stories, but I appreciate the support I get from my family and the community. Everybody’s great about it. They’re all curious how things are going and when I’m going to make the next step.”
The local boys statistics and progress can now be visited via the Internet on his team’s web-site at www.senatorsbaseball.com.
“When I got drafted, I was in such awe. I was like I got drafted this is huge. I’m gonna play professional baseball,” Dequin said. “I had no idea how long it would take. Most people don’t realize how many levels there are to go through.”
Dequin models himself after major league pitchers Mike Hampton and Billy Wagner because “they’re more my size. I’m only five-nine. When I see guys like that I think, ‘if they can do it, I can do it.'”
