Switch History: Whitecaps Shortstop Faurot Third Cape League Player To Homer From Both Sides In Same Game

BREWSTER – Welcome to the record books, Drew Faurot.

The switch-hitting shortstop from Florida State made some Cape League history when he hit a home run from both sides of the plate in Brewster’s 8-6 loss at Hyannis on July 16.

Faurot became the third player in the league’s history to accomplish the feat and the first to do so in more than a decade, joining Chatham’s Jim Lauer (1977) and Cotuit’s Steve Ghutzman (2002).

“It’s cool,” said Faurot, a Tallahassee, Fla. native. “We came up short at the end, which isn’t awesome, but it felt good to get those two. I’ve only done it once before in college so far, but hopefully there’s a couple more to come this college season.”

Faurot gave Brewster a 4-3 lead with a two-run home run from the left side off Hyannis starter Ciaran Caughey, a righty from Kent State, in the fourth inning. In the sixth, he dug in from the right side and extended the Whitecaps’ lead to 5-3 after hitting a solo shot off lefty Sean Fitzpatrick (Arizona State).

Although switch-hitters have always been a part of baseball, they have become less common in recent years as many players opt to focus on hitting from the side of the plate they feel strongest.

Brewster manager Jamie Shevchik said it’s not only impressive that Faurot is able to produce from both sides, but his versatility also instills confidence in the manager when it comes time for him to fill out his lineup card.

“It’s really impressive,” Shevchik said. “Some guys struggle against lefties and some guys struggle against righties. The longer that you’re with them, the more you see them start to struggle against a certain type of guy.

“He’s the unicorn. He’s the guy that you can put in the game every day probably at three different positions and you don’t have to worry about matching anything up. It’s not whether he’s in the lineup, it’s just where you’re going to put him.”

Faurot began his career at the University of Central Florida and transferred to Florida State last spring, hitting .286 with 29 RBIs and six home runs in 59 games for the Seminoles.

As good as he is on the diamond, the talented infielder was equally impressive on the gridiron, where he starred at quarterback for Florida State University School. He was named Tallahassee’s Football Player of the Year as a high school senior before ultimately focusing his attention on baseball.

It’s been a few years since Faurot has led a huddle, though he still carries some football traits with him that he’s been able to apply to his baseball career.

“There is the toughness and all of that, but I would say the biggest thing is no moment is too big,” Faurot said. “Football is such a different environment and it just seems like it’s more life or death. When I’m out on the baseball field, no matter how many people are in the crowd I’m always just having fun.”

The decision has paid dividends for the infielder. He has been an everyday player for Shevchik and the Whitecaps, hitting .271 with three homers, 13 RBIs and 10 runs scored in the team’s first 20 games.

He was selected as an All-Star over the weekend and will represent Brewster and the East Division during Saturday’s All-Star Game at 6 p.m. at Guv Fuller Field in Falmouth.

After struggling in his first week of the season, Faurot settled in and hasn’t looked back. He attributes his success to having the opportunity to get in a groove while playing every day.

“I wouldn’t say it’s anything huge, just stacking up at-bats consistently,” he said. “Playing every day is a little bit different than college ball where I could go weeks without a right handed at-bat. Playing here every day, I get consistent at-bats from both sides every day, so my swing feels a little better.”