It’s all about confidence.
Coming out of Rice H.S. in the Bronx, NY, he was only 5-foot-11 and 170 lbs., and unsure of his place in the Fairfield Stags baseball program.
Now, at 6-foot-2, and 220 lbs, right fielder, Antuan Barnett, ’04, stands tall as the team’s top hitter and a homerun threat each time he steps to the plate.
Head Coach John Slosar said, “Antuan was a regular player as a freshman and has continued to improve over time. We look forward to him being one of our big, offensive players this year,” he said.
“We need Antuan to step up and fill the shoes left by Ryan Bittner and the other senior’s graduations,” said starting pitcher Pablo Tamayo ’04. “He is key to our success.”
Thus far, Barnett is batting .300 with 2 homers and seven RBI’s in 11 games, but he believes that his hot hitting streak is still to come.
“I think I can do better than that,” said Barnett, “but I’ll let my talent speak for itself.”
Barnett’s success has not come overnight.
“I wasn’t sure if I would start (as a freshman), but I thought I could contribute,” said Barnett. “I came in as a center fielder. But the opportunity to play came in right field. So I took it.”
Although he did see much action as a freshman in right field, Barnett struggled with confidence. Unsure of whether a mistake would remove him from the lineup, Barnett said, “I pressed alot. Trying to impress.”
The following season, Barnett’s power numbers went up, leading the squad with seven homers, while placing second on the team with 29 RBI’s. His batting average rose to .269.
With an increase in production as a sophomore, Barnett worked hard in the off-season in an effort to increase his bat speed and overall power at the plate. “I tried to do baseball workouts to build up my forearms, wrists, back and legs because I rely on my bat speed,” said Barnett.
Barnett has been a regular in the Stags lineup, playing in 89 games his first two seasons in a Fairfield uniform. Last season he ranked second on the team by appearing in 49 of the Stags’ 50 games.
One of Barnett’s stand-out series last season came against C.W. Post when he went 4-for-7 at the plate with five RBI and a homerun in the Stags’ doubleheader.
Barnett registered his first collegiate hit on March 10, 2001 against Winthrop. He had six multi-hit games in his first season, including a career-high three hits against Connecticut on April 4, 2001.
In his freshman season, Barnett drove in 25 RBI with nine doubles.
He also participated in the New England Collegiate Baseball League last summer, which is known as one of the best summer leagues.
As a result of the hard work, Barnett, now the team’s cleanup hitter, said, “I have become more patient, stronger and mentally ready,” Barnett said. “I don’t press anymore. I let the game come to me.”
Barnett still believes that his great play over the past three seasons has just scratched the surface. “I see the potential, but I haven’t let it all out,” said Barnett. “I’m like a package still to be opened, letting all of my talent out.”
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