C.J. Gillman, the Cincinnati Reds’ minor league hitting coordinator, knows what it’s like to play against Jacob Hurtubise.
Gillman was an assistant hitting coach at Air Force during the 2019 season when Hurtubise starred at Army as a prolific leadoff hitter and talented defender in center field. When the two schools matched up against each other for the first game of the season, the scouting report on Hurtubise said to prepare for him to bunt.
With his elite speed, it’s important to keep him off the base paths. But that’s easier said than done.
Hurtubise laid down a bunt toward third base and reached safely in the top of the first inning.