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It isn't easy to "earn" a chance in MLB

infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
It is extremely difficult for a minor leaguer to earn a chance. Take the case of Kevin Frandsen with the Giants.
About three weeks ago, the ownership sent a letter to season ticket holders. Told them the Giants were committed to youth, speed, aggressiveness, and building from within.
Tough to do with very few prospects in your minor league system.
But Frandsen is one of them. In 3 minor league seasons, through AAA, his combined batting average is .321, with a .383 OBP, .453 SLG% and a .836 OPS.He was one of the leading hitters in the AZ Fall league this year and is versatile. Do the Giants move him up?
Doesn't look like it. They resign Ray Durham(37years old) and Pedro Feliz(.243 BA and a ton of strikeouts) for combined salaries of about $15,000,000 per year and bring back Richie Aurillia. I love the latter move but not the former two. They are also looking for a front line 1B so Aurillia likely becomes the back up utility IF.
What more can Frandsen do to "earn" his opportunity? Nothing. But he is in an organization that has consistently proven it "values" experience and will pay for it rather than provide opportunities to prospects in their own organization who have earned a chance.
This is one of the reasons the change to the Rule V draft hurts minor leaguers so much. They cannot "earn" a spot on the ML club even with stats like Frandsen and they cannot get to another club because the players assn gave that option away.

'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'

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D deldad500+ posts
This is one fan who does not buy a ticket because I get tired of watching overpaid retreads who are one dimensional or standing in the way of young more exciting players. They do the same thing with managers. Meanwhile the NFL, the NBA and NASCAR keep bringing in new blood to excite their fan bases. I guess that is one reason why the World Series is becoming irrelevant.
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
infielddad,
Good post and you make a very good point. The MLB future of the minor league player is not bright as it seems. “Reap what you sow” does not necessarily apply in minor league baseball. "Life ain't fair" would be more applicable. I do think there are many players that have EARNED that chance (like Kevin Frandsen) ---- they just aren't given their due reward.

It has to be more than stats that factor into the decision of who they pay the big bucks to. It’s obvious name recognition (good or bad) carries more weight than we care to admit. But think about it. I had never heard of Kevin Frandsen before your post but I do know the other players. I think most people would be more apt to pay $40 to see that rascal Bonds strike out than Kevin “What’s His Name” go 3 for 4.
Fungo
catchersdadcatchersdad1,000+ posts
Infielddad,
I was going to post this yesterday in another thread, but yours will fit perfectly with what I was going to point out.
The Giants have another outfielder Jason Ellison, a friend of mine, he has battled in the minors after being a mid 20's round pick.He was up in the majors for the first part of this year pinch running and a late inning replacement for Bonds. He was sent back down to AAA and played in about 50 games, here is his line in AAA.
G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB ave
46 192 41 78 18 2 1 18 103 14 20 7 .406
with the resigning of Bonds, I am sure he will spend another year in AAA.Maybe he will be able to hit .500 in AAA and get another shot.

catchersdad
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
I think good points have been made here. If I were the father of one of these players seemingly stuck in the minors, here is what I would tell them:

"Just like when you were in high school and college when things did not go your way, remain POSITIVE and ONLY focus on those things YOU can control. Whether or not the parent club decides to call you up is basically OUT of your control - even when you produce superior results sometimes. Just remember, productivity, positive attititude, work ethic and so forth may not pay off with your current club.

However, every time you go out on the field you are auditioning for 32 major league ball clubs who just may have a need for your talents. They all scout the other teams and consistent, productive results will be noticed by someone eventually. Never let their actions control how you go about your business today. Now get back to work and let everything else take care of itself. One final thing, even if it were not in the cards that you would make it in the majors someday, no Dad could ever be prouder of his son."
observer44observer441,000+ posts
.
CD...

Great Post...



Sort of the like the rest of life aint it...

quote:
...remain POSITIVE and ONLY focus on those things YOU can control...(some things are) basically OUT of your control - even when you produce superior results sometimes. Just remember, productivity, positive attititude, work ethic...


All you can do is hold up your end, Kid...

Cool 44
.
Last edited by observer44
N njbb1,000+ posts
Other teams may notice but theres nothing they can do about it. You are the property of the team. Change to the rule 5 draft hurt the minor league players in chances and in the pocket book. A player drafted out of hs in 2004 had to be put on 40 man roster after 4 seasons (2007) or be elig for the draft. I think his 2nd yr on the 40 man roster (2008) he earned about 60,000.
Now with the new changes its 5 seasons (2008) and the player will earn 30,000. and in his 2nd yr on roster(2009)he earns 60,000.
college players wont be elig for 4 yrs after they were drafted.
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
Other teams may notice but theres nothing they can do about it.


Not true.

njbb - I don't disagree that a player may make less while with the parent club under the new system. That still doesn't mean a player will necessarily remain buried on a given club. A team like the Giants who apparently have an affinity for veteren players can always listen to offers from other teams for their younger players. Using the Indians as an example, some of their best MLB players are quite young and were aquired in trades for veteren ballplayers. IMHO, a player should always play to impress the parent club but be mindful that other clubs may be interested as well.
B BobbleheadDoll5,000+ posts
One of my son's exteammates and winter work out buddies told me he was having verbal arguments withy his coach in A ball and played there for 4 years. Suddenly he was moved to AA ball and now is on the 40 man roster for the Pirates. We were all shocked after the rough start he had but he buckled down and just got added to the 40 man roster. He was a very talented LHP but did have an attitude issue. The coach he was not getting along with told him he was surpriseded at how well he was doing and had never thought he would be as good as he is.
Last edited by BobbleheadDoll
StyleMismatchStyleMismatch100+ posts
Well, at least the Braves don't seem to be afraid to bring up young guys from within their system (McCann etc.). There's a lot I currently don't like about the Braves with their stingy corporate ownership, but at least they seem to be good at bringing young talent up through their minor leagues.

I have to agree that the focus of many clubs seems to be more on selling tickets than on winning games or developing players. That's too bad, and a shame for many of the players stuck in the system. I've always wondered why so many kids are drafted each year, when fewer than 1 in 10 will ever see the inside of the major league clubhouse.
N nyjet2Member
Welcome to the land of the free! We cannot be so over protective. MLB is a business, just like global finance! The best will play! By the way, the number is close to 40% of foreign born,that are professional baseball players.

Perhaps some people where making similar comments prior to Jackie Robinson debut in MLB.
Yes, you sound prejudiced!
B BobbleheadDoll5,000+ posts
The Jays set up a scouting system in Austria a few years ago and setup teams that play all over europe. A friend played there last year to help out and he was amazed at the talent and the amount of baseball over there.
The jays felt there was an untapped source of players. My son's team had a few players come over and play with his team for a while but I thought they neede a lot of work.
shortstopmomshortstopmom1,000+ posts
quote:
believe that not only does a MLB player have to play the game to as much perfection as possible.
But also has to have some Entertainment value.
How well can they sell you.


EH,..I think you're comment above is " right on the money ", so-to-speak! Wink


Cleveland dad:
quote:
Just like when you were in high school and college when things did not go your way, remain POSITIVE and ONLY focus on those things YOU can control


quote:
Now get back to work and let everything else take care of itself.


That sounds like very solid advice to me!! Good to be reminded!!
Last edited by shortstopmom
20dad20dad1,000+ posts
playing pro. baseball is something we all want for them. it's the pinnacle of years of LL,travel ball etc.and it's a job that failing at is not as surprising as failing as a lawyer or accountant. to a point. but just like any job it isn't always easy. or if someone doesn't like you or you just don't have it for awhile.you can be gone. i have heard of guy's playing 8 or 10 years in the minors making 50.000 a year? not all that shaby for 7 months or so. but my point, if it is a point. everything is stacked against achieving the mlb job. but once you get there,your looked at differently by every one? Rudy Seanez (sp) played for the red sox last year wasn't very good but had been in the league for quite awhile? strange work for a bunch of kids? or great job?

fungo was right life ain't fair.

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