Henry’s final game at Brent Brown Ballpark rained out
Former Pleasant Grove standout and current Helena Brewer Payton Henry awaits a pitch during a game against the Orem Owlz.
Helena Brewers' Payton Henry, who prepped at Pleasant Grove High.
Orem Owlz fans wait during a rain delay as a large storm cell hit the county during a game between Orem and Helena on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 in Orem. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Orem Owlz fans wait during a rain delay as a large storm cell hit the county during a game between Orem and Helena on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 in Orem. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Payton Henry is turning out to be a good draw for the Orem Owlz.
There were an estimated 300 family members and friends of Henry, who showed up on Monday night to see Henry’s homecoming.
Henry, who turned 20 in June, is a Pleasant Grove High School catcher, who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.
He didn’t play on Monday but started at catcher on Tuesday and went 1-for-5.
Another large group of Henry supporters showed up on Wednesday night to see Henry when the Owlz were scheduled to conclude their three-game series with Helena.
Butt just minutes before the first pitch, a cloud burst made a puddle of the infield and caused the game to get rained out.
The two teams will make up the game in Helena next week.
“It was awesome to have so much support for this series,” Henry said. “It was cool when I found out I would be with Helena and that I would get a chance to play here (in Orem). Most guys in the minor leagues don’t get the chance to play at home, so even though we got rained out tonight this was really fun for me.”
Henry has played in 33 games this season with Helena as a catcher and DH. He’s hitting .240 with six home runs and 21 RBI in 121 at-bats.
“I’m not too worried about my (batting) average. Obviously, I’d like to be closer to .300 but I’ve been barreling up a lot of balls and my RBI and home run numbers have been pretty good,” Henry said. “The travel hasn’t been too bad. I think that’s something that you get used to. I still enjoy the game and playing baseball every day.”
Henry spent his first minor league season in Arizona, where he hit .256. This year he’s improved his defense behind the plate and has emerged as one of the top defensive catchers in the organization.
“Our club house has a lot of good energy. We have a dance party after a win and I feel like our team has a lot of chemistry,” Henry said. “I just want to be consistent and keep improving and I think good things will happen.”