Opposing catchers may joke about his size when he steps up to the plate, but the jokes stop once he swings the bat.
Despite his 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame, Spartan second baseman Charlie Braun has become a dynamic player, helping MSU (27-9 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) stay among the Big Ten’s elite.
“He’s being the player that is a thorn in the other team’s side,” Spartan hitting coach Cory Mee said. “They’re afraid of him because they know he can steal bases and he scores a lot of runs.
“Charlie has done a great job for what we need him to do. That is getting on base, being a tough out, to steal bases and score runs. He’s done all the things we’ve asked him to do.”
Being second on the team in stolen bases shows the havoc Braun’s created on the base paths. After driving a single to right field, Braun digs in at first, waiting for the go from manager Ted Mahan.
On the year, Braun’s nine swipes keep him just off the Big Ten’s top ten and are a mere four behind MSU leader - junior right fielder Bob Malek.
“When you’re on first, a couple of bases away from scoring, somehow you have to get to second and he does a tremendous job at that,” Malek said. “He’s got great instincts and whenever he goes, you feel pretty confident he’s going to get that base.”
Braun’s .406 batting average is a drastic improvement from his freshman and sophomore years, when he hit .177 and .236, respectively.
“In the first two years, I didn’t pull the ball enough,” Braun said. “This year I just have a lot more confidence. Everytime I go to the plate, I think I’m gonna hit a hard line-drive right up the middle.
“I’m also a smarter hitter now. I’m working pitchers deeper in the count and making them throw the pitch I want to hit.”
When he’s not at the plate, Braun uses his leather to shine in the field, helping turn the 23 double plays for MSU this season.
“It makes it much easier for me knowing when they hit the ball to him that he’s going to make the play,” said senior pitcher Nick Bates, who has complied an 8-1 mark with Braun backing up him defensively. “Double plays are obviously a pitcher’s best friend and Chuck is exceptional at turning the double play, making it look so effortless and easy.”
Braun has developed a reputation of having one of the team’s best work ethics.
“Even though I don’t have the best physical baseball player form, I work pretty hard,” Braun said. “This winter, I was real serious about weight lifting and I definitely got stronger.”
Despite his newfound power, Mee said Braun’s main weapon is still his bunting.
“He’s made the drag bunt a huge part of his game,” Mee said. “It’s made him even more dangerous at the plate.”
Regardless, the second place Spartans will look to his bat in this weekend’s four-game series against Iowa (17-19, 6-10).
The series begins at 6 p.m. today at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. Following a twilight doubleheader Saturday, the teams will conclude the series with a 1 p.m. first pitch Sunday.
