Hunter Goodwin’s adjustments pay off

SYLVESTER — Hunter Goodwin’s first year as part of the Worth County varsity baseball team was a struggle.

Despite being blessed with size and athleticism, Goodwin scuffled offensively during his freshman year.

“When he came up after the first few days, I said ‘Your swing is a little bit too long,’” Worth coach Will Smith said. “When he would hit in batting practice, he would kill the ball. But as the season progressed he struggled.”

At the end of Goodwin’s first year, Smith pulled him aside and told him he had to shorten his swing. The freshman already had the strength to drive the ball over the fence, but Smith told him that can only happen if he puts the ball in play, which was a struggle.

Goodwin played travel ball in the summer after his freshman year, and last fall Smith worked with him on the mental aspect of shortening his swing.

“Coming into this year, he took it upon himself to work hard in the batting cage,” Smith said. “He worked to make those adjustments that I simply talked about with him.”

The changes were evident this past season as Goodwin hit .395 with a home run and six doubles.

In addition to his strong year at the plate, Goodwin also excelled in the field.

Despite throwing 88-89 on the mound and having a likely future as a college pitcher, the 6-foot-5 Goodwin rarely pitched as a sophomore. He played the majority of the year at catcher after the Rams’ original starting catcher, Chandler Brooks, broke his finger.

“I used to catch,” Goodwin said. “I told Coach Smith that, and one day I tried it out at practice and he liked what he saw. It was kind of hard at first, but I kind of had flashbacks to when that used to be my primary position and I kind of got in the groove of it.”

While he may not have seen a lot of time on the mound this past year, Goodwin’s arm still benefited him. Opposing teams rarely ran on him, and when they did they usually paid the price.

“He certainly shuts down the running game,” Smith said. “He can really bring it from behind the dish. There were a couple of guys that tried him last year. I like for walks to turn into outs and not turn into triples.”

Smith said he is undecided on where Goodwin will play next year.

“I have to find someone that can catch Hunter,” Smith said. “Even though it is great to have him behind the plate, I’m going to have to have him during the three region games we play during the week. I have to have three good starters, and right now Hunter is one of them.”

Goodwin has already started to garner recognition on a statewide level. This weekend he will play in the Georgia Dugout Club’s Top 100 Underclassmen Showcase. The showcase will be held at Georgia Gwinnett College on Saturday and Sunday.

“It is a big accomplishment,” Goodwin said. “It kind of surprised me because I didn’t do that well at the showcase event.”

Despite just finishing his sophomore season, Goodwin has already received offers from Georgia, Kennesaw State and is going to take a visit to Tennessee.

“It shocked me when I got those offers,” Goodwin said. “I was really surprised at that.”

With all the accolades and offers from big-time schools coming in, it seems like Goodwin’s struggles are a thing of the past.