Joe DeCarlo is catching a hot streak for the Ducks

Despite being a self-avowed optimist, Joe DeCarlo knows how this works. The 10-year pro has been around baseball long enough that a hot two weeks doesn’t mean he’s figured anything out. The game has a compulsive way of evening itself out. But, still, he finds himself in an outstanding position as the Atlantic League wraps up it’s second full week.

DeCarlo, the Ducks 28-year-old catcher, hit .390 through the first 12 games, and 50 plate appearances, of the season — good for third in the Atlantic League in batting (and only three points out of a tie for second), as of Friday night.

It’s outstanding production from a position that Ducks manager Wally Backman had some reservations about prior to opening night. Backman didn’t think the position was a weakness, necessarily, but the loss of former World Series champion Hector Sanchez gave it less of a set-it-and-forget-it profile. Until DeCarlo’s breakout, that is.

Still, it’s baseball. Also still, it’s been two weeks.

“I can’t say that baseball is not going to rear its ugly head and get me, just like everybody else in this game,” DeCarlo said. “But, I’m going to try to continue to have a focus and the type of at-bats that I’ve been able to have to start the year.”

Those at-bats, the ones that have also produced a .480 on-base-percentage, have been good. He’s worked eight walks and struck out three times, all while knocking in 10 runs and slapping three doubles and a triple.

“You know how baseball goes. It’s a long year and fortunately, I’ve been able to capitalize on some good at-bats early on,” DeCarlo said. “The name of the game in baseball is to stay consistent and everybody is trying to stay consistent, myself included.”

Drafted by the Mariners in the second round of the 2012 MLB draft, DeCarlo spent the first eight seasons of his career in the Seattle system and played at Double and Triple-A with the White Sox last season. He’s a former infielder who was converted to a catcher by the Mariners in 2017. Despite no catching experience beyond a few Little League innings, DeCarlo said he was immediately on board with the switch, recognizing that his value to organizations would increase if he moved behind the dish.

“There were a lot of other things and conversations about wants and needs within the organization that were presented to me, but the main one was the self-reflection of ‘how can I improve my value?,' ” he said.

DeCarlo said he picked up the position pretty easily — thanks, in part to the help he got from his older brother Mike, who played in the Diamondbacks organization in the mid-2000’s.

“The hardest part for me early on was recognizing pitches, when to block, and when to stay on my feet and catch the ball,” he said. “They’re some pitchers who have some really good stuff and the repetition of understanding pitch movement and when and where you want the ball took a little bit of time. I picked it up quick and the last several years I’ve felt really comfortable at the position.”

The Ducks — who entered the weekend on a five-game losing streak — hope he remains that way, especially at the plate. 

Red hot Crabs

The Ducks are looking up at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, winners of 12 straight entering Saturday, in the Atlantic League North Division. At 5-7, the Ducks were already 6 ½ games back of first place in the first half standings.

 Mother's Day double dip

Thanks to Friday night’s rain out, the Ducks will play a straight doubleheader Sunday afternoon against the Lancaster Barnstormers. Game 1 is scheduled to start at 1:35 p.m. Both games are set for seven innings.