COLORADO SPRINGS – In some ways, Palmer’s Dyson Sharpton looks very much like a freshman. He has the size of someone who is 14 or 15 years old, and he also has the demeanor. He’s quiet and can come off as a tad shy.
At least until he steps into a batter’s box. For a team that’s in search of an identity, Sharpton provides the Terrors something that every team at every level wants to see. Potential.
“I’ve known about him coming to Palmer for two years,” coach David Mills said. “I’ve been excited. When he comes out, he’s the real deal. He hits. He’s leading the team; he’s top five probably in the conference as a freshman.”
The numbers back up that statement. Sharpton is batting .452 in his first varsity campaign and has an on-base percentage of .575. Even if he’s not necessarily hitting the ball, he’s finding ways to get himself on base which is the name of the game on offense.
He’s well-aware of his youth so he’s not afraid to admit his flaws as a baseball player. But going with that is his understanding that his presence in the lineup helps the Terrors in a big way.
“It’s good to have a player that’s there to hit the ball,” Sharpton said. “I’m not great in the field but I think it helps keep the team alive.”
Sharpton also holds the team lead in RBI’s with 13. Getting wins has certainly been a struggle for Palmer this season but this year will be crucial for other reasons.
The overall makeup of the roster is very much on the young side and getting these players experience now will help develop the team for when they’re getting into the prime of their high school years.
“We’re building a team for two years from now,” Mills said. “We’re not going away from our seniors and juniors that we have, but these freshmen and sophomores, four (sophomores) were all-conference last year. And Dyson coming in and building on that? We’re young and we’ll make mistakes, but gosh. Come see me in two years.”
By then, the game should slow down for the younger players and especially for Sharpton. His competitive baseball experience is vast for someone of his age.
That can be both a good thing and a bad thing in some ways. His experience has put him in a spot to contribute in meaningful games early in his high school career but it has also made him aware very early that no matter how much baseball he has played, starting at the varsity level is just a different game than he’s used to playing.
“It’s definitely harder than little league, that’s for sure,” he said. “When it gets hard, you just have to keep your head up and stay focused.”
Staying focused will be a big piece of his role on the team for the next three seasons. Coming in and having an immediate impact is thrusting him into a prominent role on the team. It may take some time, but he’s determined to figure out how he can be the best baseball player he can be while learning what it’s like to help establish a culture and a tone for his team.
“I’m trying to be a leader and keep everybody focused,” he said. “I want everyone to have a good mindset and make sure that everyone wants to win in the future.”
