Orioles infield prospect Terrin Vavra credits the success of his baseball journey with the relationship that he has with his father and longtime baseball coach Joe Vavra.
Joe Vavra, who most recently served as a coach for the Minnesota Twins (2006-2017) and Detroit Tigers (2018-2020), always gave his son a chance to take in the big-league environment. Growing up, Terrin Vavra spent his time attending workouts and games with his father, ultimately expanding his knowledge and understanding of baseball.
“I really appreciate that he was never someone who tried to overload me with information and [wasn’t] trying to tell me how to do things,” Vavra said on Glenn Clark Radio June 3. “He would just tell me to watch and try to learn on my own, and I think that’s something I’m pretty grateful for.”
Today, the 24-year-old Wisconsin native plays second base for the Bowie Baysox, who are off to a 22-7 start in 2021 and have won five games in June. Even though they’ve only played a little more than a month of the season, the Baysox already have scored 188 runs as a team.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Vavra has hit .263/.407/.474 with four home runs and 17 RBIs entering play June 9. Vavra is a career .306/.406/.481 hitter in 171 minor-league games.
The Orioles acquired Vavra in a deal that sent right-handed pitcher Mychal Givens to the Colorado Rockies in August 2020. Baltimore also received corner infielder and outfielder Tyler Nevin in the deal.
Since the trade, Vavra has adjusted well to Baltimore’s organization. Vavra noted that the COVID-19 pandemic created numerous unprecedented circumstances, which left him and his teammates wondering when they would have the opportunity to step foot on the field again.
As a result, Vavra found himself doing what he had to do to stay ready. He spent last summer at the alternate sites for the Rockies and Orioles.
“That was the toughest part — just trying to stay ready and stay focused … so now just trying to go out and embrace each opportunity,” Vavra said.
Aside from having to navigate the challenges of a pandemic, Vavra has also had to become accustomed to new teammates and coaches after leaving behind several strong relationships with the Rockies.
Vavra constantly looks for ways to both foster and maintain relationships with his new teammates and coaches in Baltimore’s organization. Vavra added that the guys have embraced him with open arms.
“Lately, it’s been great getting to kind of build these new relationships, and there’s been guys that have welcomed me into the organization better than I could ever imagine,” Vavra said. “So I think that’s been something that I’ve been focusing on this year as I keep trying to build rapport with all these guys.”
Despite having to leave behind relationships with the Rockies, the second baseman was fortunate enough to be traded alongside Nevin. Throughout the process, the two have strengthened their friendship and have turned to one another for help.
“It was really invaluable,” Vavra said, “and I’m definitely glad that we’re able to go through together because it has sparked a pretty nice relationship.”
Vavra said he feels extremely grateful to be a part of the Orioles’ organization, adding that he gets to play around competitive people. Vavra noted that the coaching staff continues to challenge the players each day, hoping to push them to the next level — just like his father always pushed him growing up.
Between the coaching staff and the success of the team, Vavra said that everyone both expects and wants to win.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a time where I’ve stepped out on a baseball field expecting to win as I do right now,” Vavra said. “And I think that’s something that you know is a testament to all the guys in the locker room, and it’s fun to be a part of. We got a great coaching staff here that pushes us to keep getting better, and ultimately at the end of the day, that’s all you can ask for.”
Read full article here: https://pressboxonline.com/2021/06/09/orioles-prospect-terrin-vavra-fun-to-be-a-part-of-successful-bowie-team/