Zander Wiel sure makes the most of his time in Tennessee.
Chattanooga Lookouts' Zander Wiel (43) fields a ground ball Sunday, April 8, 2018 during the Lookouts game against the Barons at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. The first-year member of the Chattanooga Lookouts starred at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro and received a scholarship to Vanderbilt, where he helped the Commodores win the 2014 national championship and finish as runners-up in 2015. Entering Chattanooga's series opener Wednesday night at Mobile, Wiel had amassed a .316 batting average with nine doubles and 14 RBIs through his first 23 Double-A games.
Wiel doesn't claim to be a flashy player, nor does he have a flashy response when asked what has guided him to this point.
"I've just stuck with the process," the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder said. "I know that's kind of cliché, but it's what you've got to do. It's a 140-game season, and there is a lot of preparation in the offseason and in spring training. You've got to stick with yourself, especially through the ups and downs, because you're going to experience both.
"I've been able to start off this season pretty well, but that's not guaranteed to last."
Wiel's .316 average in April matched the clip he compiled three years ago as a Vanderbilt junior, when he racked up 68 RBIs in 72 games. He was a 12th-round selection of the Minnesota Twins in 2015 and played the entire 2016 season at Single-A Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and all of last year at high Single-A Fort Myers (Fla.).
Wiel, who is 25, played in 128 games each of the past two years, hitting .259 for Cedar Rapids and .250 for Fort Myers.
"I worked a lot this past offseason on trying to be a better all-around hitter instead of just a production guy," he said. "I've actually faltered the last couple of seasons at the start, so hopefully I can keep this going. It hasn't been as much about a change in my swing or anything as much as it's been about a change in the mindset and approach.
Chattanooga Lookouts' Zander Wiel (43) throws a ball to the infield Sunday, April 8, 2018 during the Lookouts game against the Barons at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. "Even though a swing is a violent thing, I'm trying to make it as easy and as calm as I possibly can, and I think that has helped me out quite a bit."
Wiel has played mostly first base for the Lookouts but also has seen action in the outfield and as the designated hitter.
"He plays the game hard, and he plays the game right," first-year Chattanooga manager Tommy Watkins said. "He's fun to watch when he's at the plate. He can hit the ball over the fence. He hits the ball hard, and he is coming out of the box really hard.
"That's always fun to watch. I think he's got tremendous talent, and, as long as he doesn't overthink things, he's going to be really good."
Wiel has savored this opportunity to play so close to home, and he said his parents have made three weekend trips to AT&T Field. Having grown up in Murfreesboro, he staunchly followed the Atlanta Braves and considers Andruw Jones and Chipper Jones his two childhood favorites.
When it comes to current players, Wiel is plenty impressed with Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees.
"He just hits bombs, and I like watching them go," he said.
If his track record with the Twins is any indication, Wiel likely will spend the entire 2018 season with the Lookouts. Should his average remain robust and if he continues to display versatility in the field, he could take another step toward his ultimate goal.
"The biggest difference between us and the big leaguers is their ability to repeat things and that consistency," Wiel said. "Obviously there are some guys in the big leagues who just have crazy, unreal talent and have put it all together, but there are guys here who are crazy, unreal talented, too.
"I think it's just consistency and bringing the same mindset and energy to the field every day that makes those big-league guys who they are versus the guys who are still coming up."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.
Chattanooga Lookouts' Zander Wiel (43) gets a lead off first base Sunday, April 8, 2018 during the Lookouts game against the Barons at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn.