This past Sunday was a day of rest for Tampa Bay Rays’ catcher Nick Ciuffo.
It was the first break for the Mount Pleasant native since he was called up to the Major Leagues on Sept. 3. His promotion from Triple-A Durham marked the culmination of a 5-year journey following his draft selection as a senior out of Lexington High School.
Among the people taking delight in Ciuffo’s progress is his former head coach Brian Hucks. He got to see Ciuffo in action this past Saturday at Tropicana Field. 
“I have been able to watch most of Nick's games in the minors as well as now with the Rays,” he said. “As a high school player, Nick was one of the best players in the country and was drafted in the first round. Now he is one of the best players in the world. It is amazing to watch him playing with and against the best of the best.”
A starter in five games, the 23-year-old is batting 5-22 (.227) with a home run and 4 RBI. While Ciuffo’s offense is still considered a work in progress, his defense has pleased the team’s scouts. According to John Nickels at www.minorleaguebaseball.com, Ciuffo has “cleaned up his footwork” and managed to decrease his error rates and passed balls. 
Ciuffo has thrown out 43 percent of the baserunners this season and is at 46 percent for his career. 
“Nick has always been considered an elite level defensive catcher,” Hucks said. “He has an 80 grade arm and is a plus receiver and blocker.  The area that has been most impressive is how well he is handling the major league pitching staff. Nick is calling great games and helping the Rays win.  The Rays are 6-3 in games he has been the starting catcher.
“The catching position is much different from every other position in that they are involved in every pitch and with that there is a lot of pressure on him but he is handling it great. Offensively he continues to make improvements and as long as he does that he has the opportunity to have a long career.”  
Nickels also added the club is not holding against Ciuffo a 50-game suspension received to start the season for a failed drug test. He  sees Ciuffo as a platoon and reserve catcher “for years to come” based on his defense and hitting left-handed. 
“Nick has always been very mature and focused on his baseball career,” Hicks said. “He is a humble young man that has a great head on his shoulders.” 

Ciuffo to appear in 
local softball game

By Justin Hall
Chronicle Correspondent 
A fun event is coming to Lexington County Baseball Stadium this fall. 
The South Carolina Youth Diabetes Association Celebrity Softball Game will take place Oct. 20.
The celebrity game will have multiple recognizable names, including Nick Ciuffo, a Lexington High School graduate and current big-leaguer with the Tampa Bay Rays. 
The current list of players is includes former Fireflies fan-favorite Dash Wittingham, former Cubs organization infielder Dustin Harrington and former South Carolina Gamecock Adam Westmoreland. It's just a few of the names that will take the field in Lexington. 
The SCDYA softball game is a fundraiser that began in July of 2014. 
The event is held each year to raise funds and awareness for those battling Type 1 diabetes. The gates at Lexington County Baseball Stadium will open at 10 a.m. for an autograph session, followed by a kickball game and Home Run Derby. 
The celebrity softball game will get underway at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase by going to www.etix.com/ticket/p/7120782/.