He doesn’t tower over the rest of his teammates or cast a shadow that could be confused with a solar eclipse, but Kyle Brooks (North Florida) is showing average-height kids all over the Cape the only size that matters on the baseball field is the size of a player’s heart. Standing at a modest 5 feet 7 inches, Brooks will be the first to joke that he never has to worry about hitting his head on anything. But opposing pitchers do have to worry about Brooks hitting their best stuff.

The middle infielder from Florida has quietly put together a series of impressive performances at the plate. Brooks has pounded out 12 hits in 34 at-bats for a .294 average. His efficiency has only heated up over the last two games in which he has gone 3-8 with two walks, driven in two RBIs, and scored two runs.   

“I’m seeing the ball real well, and I’m comfortable at the plate,” said Brooks. “I’m just doing my best, going out there playing hard, and it’s working out for me right now.”

In addition to producing tangible statistical value for the Anglers, the shortstop who grew up watching Derek Jeter has demonstrated the intangibles on the Cape as well. Brooks hustles everything out—ground balls, dropped third strikes, balls in the hole. He will even get off the bench to sprint after foul balls near the Anglers’ dugout.

“When I’m on the bench I have a lot of energy… so I try to get up and stay active any way I can,” said Brooks, grinning ear to ear. “So if there’s a groundball near the dugout I try to chase it down before it stops rolling.”

The Anglers (12-11) will look to feed off Brooks’ energy tonight when they host the Bourne Braves (10-11) 7 p.m. at Veterans Field. Jake Godfrey (Louisiana State) is expected to be on the hill for the Anglers. The right-hander has not given up a run in three innings out of the bullpen, but this will be his first start on the summer. Bourne is expected to counter with right-hander Nick Jensen-Clagg (Kent State), who is 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA.

First pitch is 7 p.m. at Veterans Field. Dominic Cotroneo and Jonny Wincott have the call live, starting with the Anglers Extra Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. on TRZ Teamline and at 1-800-846-4700, code 3841.