Things are looking up for WooSox' Jeter Downs after a fast start signals turnaround from dismal 2021

WORCESTER — Jeter Downs is a different player this season — in a good way.

The Worcester Red Sox shortstop is playing with confidence, on both sides of the ball, and he’s beginning to look like the player the organization was hoping he would become when it acquired him via trade in 2020.

He’s been making highlight-reel plays at short time and again this season, while he’s improved his offensive output.

“He’s been great,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. “I know (last season) he was going through a lot of stuff at the plate, and maturing at this level. His engagement, on all sides of the ball, has been fantastic.”

After a batting a lowly .190 in 99 games in 2021, Downs appears more comfortable at the plate this season. He entered Tuesday’s game against the Rochester Red Wings with a .229 average, 3 doubles, 1 triple and six home runs. In fact, he delivered a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning for the seventh round-tripper of the season.

However, he’s not focused on the numbers. It’s all about the process for the 23-year-old prospect.

Tracy, in his first season as Worcester’s manager, has learned from hitting coach Rich Gedman that Downs is “light years improved” as far as how he goes about his process and preparation.

“He still has work to do, but we’re happy with it,” Tracy said.

Downs concurs.

“I’m definitely happy in a sense, because I’m doing decent, but I still feel like there’s a lot of room for improvement – a lot of things I need to get better at,” Downs said. “I feel like I can do it, and trying to stay at it every day.”

He’s trying to hone his overall consistency in every aspect on both sides of the ball. He’s also learning to impact the game in any way possible, including on the bases.

“It’s huge,” he said. “I just want to use every part of my ability. It’s been working out so far, so I’ll just keep doing that.”

At the conclusion of last season, Downs said he wanted to focus on his offense during the offseason. He played 16 games for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League and hit five home runs in five consecutive games, posted 14 RBI and drew 14 walks. He’s carried that momentum into spring training and the regular season.

Downs admitted he hasn’t made too many adjustments at the plate. He’s just trying to keep it simple.

“As simple as possible,” he said. “See the ball and just try to put the barrel on it. I’m not trying to make the game anymore complicated than it is. I’m just trying to get back to what I’ve been doing my whole life, putting barrels on balls, and that’s what I’m trying to do here.”

Learning to become a pro, both on and off the field, is different for every player. Once that maturity level kicks in, though, it usually has a positive effect and that’s been the case for Downs.

“As you hit different levels of the game, and the big leagues is obviously the biggest one, but Triple-A will really test you,” admitted Tracy. “You get here and you’re playing against guys who have played in the big leagues, and you can make observations around you about how guys go about it.”

Part of that maturity is learning how to become relentless with your daily routine.

“Sometimes the first go-around with it is a challenge, and you’re learning along the way, but he’s got a year of seasoning under his belt and it’s helping him a lot,” Tracy said.

In 2021, Downs played 78 games at shortstop and 21 at second base. Since he’s been playing so well defensively this season, the plan is to keep him on the left side of the infield.

“As consistent as he’s been with his routine, and he looks so good at short, as of now he’s going to stay right there,” Tracy said.

Confidence has never been an issue for Downs, and now that he’s producing in all aspects, the two have meshed well for him.

“I’ve always had pretty good confidence throughout my entire career. It’s one of the things I’ve been pleased with,” he said. “I understand where this game takes you, and the things you need to work on and get better at, so I try to take it day by day and not think about some of the other things and keep it simple.”

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Things are looking up for WooSox' Jeter Downs after a fast start signals turnaround from dismal 2021