Henry inching closer to realizing big league dream

Published 11:42 pm Saturday, July 7, 2012

Every day, when he shows up to the ballpark, Justin Henry’s hardest job is to stay focused on that night’s game.

Henry is close — tantalizingly close — to achieving a lifelong dream of playing in the major leagues. An injury or trade could bring the call from the Detroit Tigers that changes his life forever.

In the meantime, he’s trying to push thoughts of the big leagues aside for the moment and continue the strong season he’s having for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate.

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“You can get frustrated because you’re always looking for the next chance,” said Henry, a former Vicksburg High and Ole Miss star. “I feel like I’m in the talks. I don’t know if it’s anything more than that. I try not to think about it, and focus on it, because it’s out of my hands.”

The 27-year-old Henry has made a steady climb through the Tigers’ organization since the team used its ninth-round draft pick on him in 2007. Henry was an Eastern League All-Star last season with Double-A Erie, the result of a strong first half that earned him his second call-up to Toledo. He has spent all of this season with the Mud Hens and is hitting .285 — the second-highest average on the team — entering today’s game against Louisville. He was 3-for-5 in a 2-0 win Saturday.

Henry had a 10-game hitting streak snapped early last week. He had a .350 average with six RBIs, six runs scored and three stolen bases during the streak.

“I feel like I definitely belong. I’ve been there parts of the past two years, but this is the first time for the whole year,” Henry said. “I feel like I’m not in over my head. By the same token, you can’t feel complacent. You always have to feel like you’re wanting more.”

Having established himself at each level of professional baseball, the next step for Henry is the big show. It might only be a matter of time before the Tigers bring him to Detroit — if only to see if he can hack it.

At 27 years old, Henry is quickly approaching what he called the “make it or break it” phase of his career. His current contract expires at the end of the 2013 season, and the Tigers will likely want to see if their investment can pay dividends before they have to make a decision on Henry’s future.

The Tigers also have a gaping hole at second base, which is Henry’s primary position. The three players the team has platooned at the position this season, Ramon Santiago, Danny Worth and Ryan Raburn, are hitting .221, .182 and .178, respectively. Several other prospects also have come and gone the past two seasons, with similarly lackluster results. Worth was demoted to Triple-A last week.

Calling up Henry could be a cheaper option than trading for a veteran, especially for a team that invested heavily in several free agent infielders in the offseason and is one game over .500 (43-42) heading into today’s action.

“I definitely feel like I could play up there and would love the opportunity to get to do that,” Henry said, adding with a laugh, “I hope the people in charge think that, too.”

One thing that might hold Henry back was a skill he has tried to develop to help speed his progress — versatility. Henry has played almost an equal number of games at second base, third base and center field this season. Although he’s a capable fielder at all three spots, splitting time between them might cause the Tigers’ management to view him as a utility player rather than a pure infielder or outfielder.

Major league teams usually keep only one utility player on the bench, however. Breaking into the big leagues that way might prove more difficult than being viewed as a promising prospect at a particular position.

Henry views his versatility as an asset, but admitted to wondering if it’s holding him back.

“Those guys are valuable, but sometimes you wonder if it’s not,” Henry said. “You wonder if you’re going to get your one shot at filling a position.”

The month leading up to the July 31 trade deadline will mean more wondering — and waiting — for Henry. Despite their record, the Tigers are only 41⁄2 games out of first place in the American League Central, and could make a deal before the deadline. Even if it doesn’t directly involve Henry, the accompanying roster moves could create a spot and lead to the long-awaited call-up.

There’s also September, when the major league rosters expand to 40 players and a host of minor leaguers are given an opportunity to showcase their skills for next season.

Beyond that, Henry will have to wait until next spring for another shot.

Whatever the future holds, once the call comes he has every intention of seizing the opportunity.

“It’ll be very exciting. I’ve been playing minor league ball for my fifth full year. It’ll be satisfying to know I made it,” he said. “I don’t want to be one of those people who gets there and comes back. I want to go and stay there.”