Speed, defense could be Repko’s ticket to call-up

In one exciting sequence on Saturday night at Cashman Field, 51s outfielder Jason Repko displayed some of the all-around skills that probably will earn him a promotion to the Los Angeles Dodgers in September, when rosters are expanded.

Leading off the fourth inning for Las Vegas against Colorado Springs, the 27-year-old Repko dropped a bunt down the third-base line and safely reached first base, flashing the speed that helped him claim a team-high 20 stolen bases in 26 attempts this season.

When Sky Sox third baseman Kenny Perez made a throwing error on the play, Repko accelerated around second and raced into third as the ball rattled around the 51s' bullpen down the right-field line. When Sky Sox right fielder Matt Miller misplayed the ball, Repko cruised home with his team-leading 86th run.

"The way he defends and runs the bases, he could be a difference-maker (for the Dodgers) coming down the stretch," Las Vegas manager Lorenzo Bundy said before the 51s' 7-3 victory. "There are certain things that certain players can help you do in September and Rep's one of those guys."

Repko, who has a strong arm and leads the Pacific Coast League with 18 outfield assists, is a "plus defender" and a "plus base runner," said Bundy, who also called him "one of the best outfielders I've had a chance to be around."

After missing all of last season with a torn left hamstring, Repko wanted to prove he could stay healthy this year.

He accomplished that mission, playing in 120 games, the second most on the squad, while batting .279 with 11 homers, 48 RBIs, 26 doubles and a team-high seven triples.

"I really am happy I made it through the whole year," Repko said. "Hopefully that will wipe out any thoughts people have that I'm going to get injured at any second.

"The couple injuries I've had were actually freak injuries. I don't feel like I'm brittle or anything like that."

While Repko can help the Dodgers as a pinch hitter, pinch runner and defensive replacement, he needs to improve at the plate, where he struck out a team-high 108 times this season.

"He needs to command his strike zone better," Bundy said. "He gets himself in trouble swinging at a lot of pitches outside of the strike zone, but I think he's put himself back on the map."

Repko, who has hit safely in 92 of 120 games for the 51s, overcame a slow start at the plate this year.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself at the beginning of the year because I felt like I had something to prove -- that I was ready to be in the big leagues -- and I wanted to prove it right away," he said. "When it didn't start out that way, I added more pressure.

"After the first two months, I was hitting around .215. It was hard to deal with, but I got my head on straight."

Repko batted .375 in June and has hit well since, batting .391 in his last 10 games.

"I definitely need to hit better. I'm not satisfied hitting (.279) in this league," Repko said. "But I'm satisfied with my health this year, and that's the most important thing."

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.