ON TO DURHAM: Simon gets the call to Triple-A level

Ronny Simon got the call to Durham this week after spending the better part of two seasons with the Biscuits. (Photo courtesy Biscuits Baseball)

By GRAHAM DUNN

Ronnie Simon might be shy around a microphone.

But you will find a different personality in the clubhouse.

“He’s a lot of fun,” stated Montgomery outfielder Mason Auer. “He smiles a lot, cracks jokes and that picks everybody up.”

In his second season with the Double-A Biscuits, Simon had been on a climb from a young, inexperienced player to one of the team’s leaders.

And now, he is a part of the Durham Bulls after his call up earlier this week. The move comes after playing 136 games with the Biscuits between 2022 and this season.

At age 23, Simon is another of the young infielders that is getting a lesson at several positions, including a few games in the outfield. But his future is probably as a middle infielder, where he has spent most of the 2023 season.

“I grew up watching (former Mets star) Jose Reyes,” he said. “There were others that I watch even now.”

He admits there is a certain influence in his game from playing MLB on Playstation. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, it was a tradition and a natural alternative.

"It was always baseball,” he said. “You really don’t have a choice. We play it on (Playstation). I watched it growing up. I liked playing NBA too but I didn’t play it.”

The coaching in the “DR” allowed him to have the chance to play pro ball. He had several influences, including family members to help him along the way.

“It’s different in DR. When you have a good youth coach, you have a shot,” he said. “They give you the right preparation. My family was helpful. But a lot of people made it possible to get to the (professional ranks).”

Biscuits manager Morgan Ensberg watched the development of Simon from the first day he arrived in Montgomery last July.

“He is an incredible talent and an exciting player to watch. He just needs reps,” Morgan said.

With the help of Biscuits hitting coach Wuarnner Rincones, who also coached him at the Single-A level, Simon adjusted to the difficulties of hitting at the Double-A level. He admitted it took him a while but settled in and making better decisions at the plate.

“When the season started, I was having a hard time getting comfortable at the plate,” Simon admitted. “I was hitting a lot of (fly balls) and not line drives. It was tough because I wasn’t helping the team.

“I think (I was putting pressure on myself). I kept trying different things and couldn’t turn it around. But I never gave up on the process and trusted my coaches, trying to do the same things that I had learned."

Before he left, Simon’s speed had him among the leaders in stolen bases in the Southern League. He admitted he liked the new bases (which are larger than in the past).

“I love it (stolen bases),” he said. “We are going to run. It’s part of what we do and we’ve been successful.”

Ensberg expected Simon’s upward climb toward the next level so it was no surprise to the skipper that he got the call to Durham. He believes his work ethic will make sure that happens.

“It takes time,” Ensberg said. “You can look great or bad at different times. He has made the adjustments and it will pay off.”