Sometimes a change of scenery can make all the difference.

Former Defiance pitching standout Justin Hancock found that out this summer during his first full season in the minor leagues. The 2011 9th-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres begin the 2012 campaign with the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Single A), but finished it with the Eugene Emeralds (Single A short season).

Hancock, a right-handed starting pitcher, had his struggles during his time at Fort Wayne, but after heading out to the state of Washington, the former Lincoln Trail College hurler turned his season and outlook around with a solid summer on the bump.

"The first half of the season wasn't so good," admitted Hancock. "Once I got to Eugene, I changed a lot, especially my mental approach, and that really helped me. When I was at Fort Wayne, I lost my confidence and sometimes it was hard just being there. When I was in Eugene, I realized I needed to get back to work, and that hard work carried over to my performance on the mound."

During his time in Fort Wayne, the righty was 0-4 with a 6.95 ERA in 13 games, including a pair of starts. In 33 2/3 innings with the TinCaps, Hancock allowed 44 hits, 31 runs (26 earned) and 20 walks, while striking out 23.

In contrast, during his time at Eugene, Hancock was 5-2 in 15 games, including 14 starts with a very solid 1.61 ERA. In 72 2/3 innings on the bump, Hancock allowed 52 hits, 17 runs (13 earned) and 23 walks while striking out 66.

"When the organization sent me to Eugene, they told me they wanted me to start and get more innings. I have to admit I was kind of bummed to leave Fort Wayne, but I knew I had to make some changes," Hancock said. "My manager Pat Murphy told me he knew I had good stuff and to go after hitters.

"Once I got that first win, my confidence really took off, and that really carried over into the rest of my season," continued Hancock. "I knew I had to really focus on the mental part of the game and that's what I did. The way this season worked it, I couldn't be happier. I knew I had to make some changes, I did, and I'm a better pitcher because of it."

While his confidence turned around while he was in Eugene, there was something about playing in the Northwest League that was difficult.

"The bus trips in the Northwest League were long ... very long," Hancock said. "We had 9-hour bus trips and 13-hour bus trips, that's a long time on the road. We watched a lot of movies, played a lot of cards and slept a lot. It was hard sometimes to get off the bus and be ready to play."

Now that his season has come to a close, Hancock was invited by the organization to participate in its instructional league and strength camp. The DHS graduate is currently in Peoria, Ariz., working on his pitches, before beginning strength camp on Monday.

"The organization likes my two-seam fastball, and they have me working on it on both sides of the plate and they like my change-up, but they have me really working on improving my curveball," said Hancock. "The coaches here have also told me that I'm too nice, so they keep telling me they want me to get mad and be nasty when I pitch."

Following strength camp, Hancock will take some much-needed time off to rest, before getting back to work in late December or early January. The righty know he needs to be ready for spring both physically and a mentally when spring training rolls around in 2013.

"I need to show up in shape and ready to go," Hancock said of spring training. "I want to make the jump to at least high A (Single-A Advanced Lake Elsinore of the California League) so I know I have a lot of work to do. I plan on showing up early so the organization knows how serious I am about being ready to go."