By JOHN BOHNENKAMP
Keanu Spenser’s reason for playing a third Prospect League season with the Burlington Bees is quite simple.
“It’s just another amazing year in Burlington,” the first baseman said. “It’s hard to say no, to not come back to this place. I mean, the atmosphere, the fans, the host family, the coaches and everything, are just amazing.”
Spenser grew up in Arizona, and is currently playing at Hawaii Pacific, but the Midwest has become his summer baseball home. He has hit .299 in his career with the Bees, with 13 home runs and 56 runs batted in.
“I like the thump in his bat,” Bees manager Owen Oreskovich said. “He can hit a home run at any point in time. And he normally hits well with runners in scoring position as well, puts the ball in play more in that situation. So that’s something I really love about him.
“But even when he’s not playing, he means a lot to this team. He’s always talking in the dugout, getting guys fired up. It’s just important to have guys like that on your team. He’s a great dude.”
Spenser hit .304 with a .978 OPS in 45 games with the Bees in 2023, with 14 doubles and 10 home runs. He only played six games last season, but hit .353.
This season, Spenser is hitting .256 with three home runs, but it’s an important summer for him after his season at Hawaii Pacific, where he hit .091 in nine games.
“I didn’t play that much, really,” Spenser said. “We had a few All-Americans on the team. We just had a really good year, and that was the hand I was dealt. But, I mean, I love it over there. The team is great, the coaches are great, and I really like it.
“This summer is huge just to get back into the swing of things, get that confidence back and obviously, just be playing as much as I can. I’m working on everything, mainly just my approach at the plate, just trying to stay more aggressive, trying to take it to the pitcher instead of the pitcher coming to me.”
“I think it’s very important,” Oreskovich said. “The at-bats he’s going to get can show his coaches he can do it, especially with the wood bat. He can show he’s still got it, and that’s huge for him going forward.”
Spenser appreciates the opportunities, as a hitter, that the Prospect League provides.
“It challenges me a lot,” he said. “I mean, you get to see a wide range of arms every single year, from Division I, D-2, D-3, NAIA, and (junior-college) guys. There’s a lot of talent in this league and it challenges you.”
Spenser likes being one of the veteran players in the clubhouse, and getting a chance to play with familiar teammates from the last couple of seasons.
“The better chemistry you have as a team, it’s more fun to play every night,” Spenser said. “It just makes your team that much better, because everybody knows each other, you can goof around a little bit, and everybody relaxes and has fun.”
Spenser has the same host family, Steve and Alyssa Stewart, and that has made a difference as well.
“They are like a second family for me,” he said. “I keep in touch with them when I’m not here playing, and they were excited when I told them I was coming back. All of the host families are great — they mean a lot to this team.”
It is like home for Spenser.
“Honestly, I mean, for me, it’s been some of the most fun baseball I’ve ever played in my life,” he said. “And every year just gets better and better.”
Top photo: Keanu Spenser celebrates after his home run in the Burlington Bees’ season opener against Quincy. (Steve Cirinna/Burlington Bees)
