Around the Diamond: The Renaissance Man
10/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
A common fixture in the lineup last season, if the University of Pittsburgh baseball team was at-bat, there’s a good chance that redshirt junior outfielder Frank Maldonado was lurking in the dugout ready for his shot at the plate.
And he often delivered, batting .330 last season, second on the Panthers, and finished the season with seven triples, tops in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Maldonado was primarily deployed out of right field, often leading off for Pitt or occupying the fifth spot in the lineup.
His play in the field was inspiring, not committing an error in 96 attempts, the lone Panther to record a perfect fielding percentage last season.
Maldonado lamented on the fact that he takes a lot of pride in his performance in the field.
“It’s a big part of my game. I consider a run saved defensively is as good as a run earned offensively. If you can save a run, it’s as good as knocking one out of the park.”
Maldonado, a native of Short Hills, N.J., also played football for Seton Hall Prep. However, he made it clear his passion lies in baseball.
Nevertheless, once the lights on the diamond are turned off, and the chalk on the dirt has disintegrated into a white-laden spread near the foul lines, there is something else Maldonado really enjoys playing.
“It has always been an escape for me,” said Maldonado. “It’s on a totally different level, a certain passion that I can’t really explain to people. It’s an awesome way to express myself and bring happiness into my life when things are stressful.”
He’s talking about music, and when the question turns to which instrument, the correct answer is quite frankly, all of the above.
“I’ve loved music my whole life. It had to be seventh grade that I picked up my guitar for the first time. Music has always been in my family, my grandfather actually played piano for a living. He had a couple songs on the charts back in the late 50s. I think I got some sort of musical talent from him.”
That talent translates to not just guitar, but his ability to play piano, to sing, play drums, and even the harmonica. He has a ukulele and also played the alto saxophone in high school.
It’s a fine assortment of tools in his musical suitcase, one that has the propensity to only grow larger if given the opportunity.
“I definitely don’t shy away from trying any new instruments. Anything musical is up for grabs for me,” said Maldonado.
Baseball has always had a strong correlation with music, from pastime songs such as “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” to the playing of a walk-up song for each player when they approach the plate for an at-bat, and even some pitchers, when they trot out to the mound to oppose them.
Despite Maldonado’s ability to make an adventure out of any visit to a music store, it’s an avenue that he doesn’t expect to bring to the base paths anytime soon.
“In terms of my own walk-up song, I don’t think I would do that. There are just too many options for me that I would rather just have someone else that does it professionally, and better than me.”
While he won’t record one for himself, Maldonado did create a rock version of the video game Legend of Zelda theme song, one that his sister Alexa used as her walk-up song for her senior year at the University of Notre Dame as a member of the softball team.
The mindset he possesses playing his guitar is much different than when he takes the diamond.
“When you step out onto a baseball field, you have an entire team of guys that also rely on your performance. It’s not as pulled back and as individualized as just playing your guitar,” said Maldonado.
Labeling it as a stress-free, no pressure environment whenever he plays music, it’s the opposite of what he will face with the Panthers this season, as they look to improve on their 25-26 record from last season and make a statement in the ACC.
Maldonado will be a big chord in an offense that lost five of its top nine batters from last season. If he continues to tune up his talents on the field, the music man will be sure to lead the 2017 Panthers to a solid season.