Hillsborough's Fedroff Promoted to Triple-A

Tim Fedroff is living the dream.

The Hillsborough native and 2006 Hillsborough High School graduate has spent his 2011 obliterating the Minor Leagues in the Cleveland Indians system. Fedroff was leading the Double-A Eastern League in hitting until Monday when he was called up to the International League (Triple-A) affiliate Columbus Clippers.

"It feels great," he said. "I'm very excited to move up to Triple-A."

Fedroff was the Eastern League's player of the week in May, and was batting .338 with the Akron Aeros, before being called up.

The logistics of transferring from Akron to Columbus has played tricks on Fedroff, but he's still managed to perform. He's played all three days since being called up to Triple-A and, after a 3 for 5 day at the plate on Wednesday, is batting .333 with a home run.

"I've packed up my apartment and moved and tried to get situated," he said. "Everything is just starting to get comfortable."

Fedroff's found more consistency at the plate this year. He hit in the .270s at A-League and into Double-A last year, but has exploded this year. He credits growing accustomed to the game at the minor league level, and also maturity as two of the deciding factors in his improvement. 

"It has a lot to do with experience and gaining a good routine," he said. "My first two years, I was way up and way down, but I'm much more consistent now."

He's also found playing in Columbus has its perks too, where the Clippers have an established franchise--they were the Triple-A Yankees affiliate from 1979-2006-- became the Nationals' top minor league affiliate in 2007 and 2008, before becoming Cleveland's Triple-A club.

The atmosphere at the Huntington Park, Columbus' home ballpark, also appeals to Fedroff. Columbus is ranked third in the International League in attendance.

"It's a great place to play," Fedroff said. "It's a packed house every night."

Fedroff understands what comes next, too. If he can get promoted again, the Major League's Indians are the next step.

"It's a lifelong dream of mine to reach the majors," he said. "I try to stay as motivated as I possibly can."

But keeping perspective, and realizing that all he can do is play at the top of his game, keeps Fedroff going.

"I have no say in what is going on," he said. "All I can do is hopefully perform well."