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08/30/2018 12:00 AMDJ Caron displayed great versatility on the baseball field in Branford this year. After playing center field for the Hornets as a senior in the spring, DJ suited up at shortstop with the Branford Pride travel team throughout the summer. Next year, DJ will continue his career at the collegiate level when he plays shortstop for Division III Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts.
DJ had previously played for Branford’s Senior American Legion baseball team, but decided to join the Pride, because he felt he would get more time at shortstop in order to be better prepared for college.
“I played outfield in high school and it took away infield reps, so when it came to summer ball, I wanted to get a whole season in the infield to get back on track,” says DJ. “I wanted a whole summer under my belt to get a better feel for short.”
DJ wanted to get on the field right away when he started high school, and playing the outfield for the Hornets provided him with that opportunity as a freshman. DJ did a great job of patrolling the outfield and became a fixture out there, ultimately settling in center field this year.
“I used my speed and athleticism, which was huge for me, because when tracking a fly ball, I could get to a ball that was way over my head. Playing in the outfield helped me develop my arm, because I had an infielder’s arm,” DJ says. “Going back to the infield, I still use an outfield approach. I charge the ball and take the best route to a ground ball. I basically try to use both positions to apply to each other, which helped me most.”
Branford Pride Head Coach Ryan Santoro feels that DJ was under the radar as an infielder entering the recent summer season. Santoro says that DJ surprised many college coaches who were unaware of how well he could play shortstop.
“He was getting recruited to be an outfielder, because nobody knew he played infield since he didn’t play there in high school. This summer, he played shortstop almost every inning for us,” says Santoro. “A lot of college coaches saw us and a lot would ask, ‘Who is that at shortstop?’ When I told them it was DJ, they all said, ‘I thought he played outfield. I never realized he was that good.’ He’s an athlete, but he’s a true team player. He did what he had to do in high school, but he’s going to play infield in college.”
DJ emerged as a team leader while playing shortstop for the Pride. He routinely took control of the infield an effort to help keep runs off the board.
“I would move other infielders over, control the play with the catcher, and call pickoffs for the pitcher. Many teams would tell me I was annoying with that, but we saved a lot of runs that way,” says DJ. “I like being the one to determine what is going on. In the outfield, there is only so much you can do. I think short is just a big position, knowing what is going on and having control of the game.”
DJ turned in a prolific senior season at the plate for the Hornets by posting a batting average of approximately .330. DJ earned a spot on the All-SCC Quinnipiac Division Team, and he was also named the Hornets’ Defensive Player of the Year. This summer, DJ batted around .390 with the Pride.
“I’m a little guy at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, so I try to drive the ball the other way and put the ball on the ground,” DJ says. “Here and there, I’ll get it over their heads, but I try to use my speed to get on base and steal bases. That’s how we scored for both high school and the Pride.”
DJ feels excited to begin his college baseball career at Nichols. One of the biggest draws for DJ is that Nichols has a reputation as a program that features players who put everything on the line. DJ has done exactly that as a baseball player in Branford and plans to continue doing so when he steps on to the collegiate stage.
“I will completely sacrifice my body for a baseball. I just love the game and will do absolutely anything to win or get an out. I just try to leave it all on the field,” says DJ. “I’m all about heart and hustle. That’s my mantra. I want to give everything I can on the field, because I never know when my last game is going to be. Sometimes it seems crazy, but that’s just my thing.”