Milb Spring Training begins

In general, it is about 180 players competing for 4 weeks to see about 95 players, or so, have their names posted for April assignments, and the rest battling not to get released.
They will have an orientation and sign more forms than they can ever understand.
That will be followed by a few very long days of practice and fundamentals, with afternoon scrimmages. Don't be late and be in game ready shape..or better.
In about 4-5 days, they start playing games against other organizations. 4 teams is the norm, AAA, AA, High A and low A, with players often being one team up from where they have a valid chance of an assignment in 4 weeks.
As players get dropped off the MLB ST list, then they drop to AAA usually and players drop down accordingly.
The norm is the AAA and AA teams play the same level from another organization at one complex while the high and low A play the same teams at the opposite facility.
Games are 5-6 days per week, sometimes 7. Any off day is practice and scrimmages.
The competition is keen and intense. Those who are watching and will make the decisions rarely change expression, or have any expression and are people of very few words. Every inning, every play, every AB and every pitch is watched, graded and is meaningful
When the first players are released, it is very tough.
When April comes and rosters are posted and many players released, it is about as hard as it can get in baseball.

Extended is games, games, practice and more practice but no pay. Pay, per the contract, requires a player to be on roster. Extended then happens until the draft, short season starts and a new and anxious group arrive trying to take a spot from someone in extended who is pretty desperate for an assignment, by that point.
Congrats to your son. Hope he is healthy and has a great ST.

I think that infielddad pretty much covered it.

ML spring training is a lot more laid back than milb. Most of these guys know they will have a place somewhere in the organization, it's just a matter of where.

Your son was a high draft pick last season and young, so he doesn't have to worry about much. All teams do things differently, we've all heard how heartless it can be, cuts after a tough spring training, I haven't really seen that side of son's organization. If they like you they will do whatever they can to keep you. They cut a 2007 drafted player last year who is now a hitting coach in the organization. So when one door closes, for sure another can open.

Extended is really for players that are on the bubble or not ready for a full season team, different than for those who are on the DL. He can be assigned to a full season team, on the DL and be paid and still remain with the extended players.

Best of luck to your son for his first full season and I hope all goes well with recovery.

quote:

He can be assigned to a full season team, on the DL and be paid and still remain with the extended players.

Great point TPM.
One might think I would include that considering our son's experience.

WOW, I honestly hadn't even considered players being released during or even right after ST. For as much as we have learned about the process getting to this point, there is obviously much more left to learn.

TPM - I hope you are right. The news of his injury wasn't anything that we wanted to hear, but the way the team handled it leads us to believe that they plan on keeping him around for a bit and giving him every opportunity to do what they drafted him to do... As parents, we couldn't have asked for an organization to do more than they did for him.

Being assigned to a full season team and still remaining with the extended players does make sense. I would assume that once a player is fully recovered, in the teams estimation, he then joins his full season team? My son was on what the team called a "full return to action" plan... what ever that means. So this might very well be their plan for him.

Lots to learn but thank you both for your input.

sportsfan5,
If a MLB organization does not want a player with an injury who was a high draftee, they have a way to do it.
Your son's organization did not take that action with your son. That is a true positive.
Keep looking forward. Your son isn't going to be released come the beginning of April. He will see it happen though and it can be a tough situation.
This is an amazing month. Hopefully your son will use it to learn, to get fully healthy, and move forward.
He needs to be fully healthy. Trying or being cleared to play at less than 100% isn't doing him a favor, based on our experience.

quote:

fully recovered from torn hip labrum

Cody Rodgers had this same injury last year for the Rays. He stayed in extended spring until he was deemed 100% healthy and then assigned to full-season Bowling Green. Cody played at Princeton the year before. If your son is 100%, he'll likely go to Princeton but could be skipped up to Hudson Valley and/or Bowling Green or even higher if the Rays deem it warranted. If he is not 100%, my bet would be extended spring until he heals properly based on Rodgers' experience last year. He might not be able to tell if he is 100% until he grinds though several weeks of spring training however.

I stand corrected.
I am pretty sure that if the player ended the season on the DL and not declared off as yet, they have to assign him to a full season team and pay him. Most likely it would be the team he ended the season with.

I just want to say thanks all for the great input in this thread. This is also my son's 1st ST. He has worked his a** off his entire life to get to this point, and I know he's prepared.

Not so sure about myself though. I've been keeping myself busy and prepping for who-knows-what.

Always nice to have a scouting report from those who've gone before-- one of the biggest reasons I love this site

Spiz,
One thing I recommend and you should all pass on to your sons.

This is a tough business but no matter what happens enjoy every moment, as we all know it doesn't last forever.

Also, we as parents have no control over their future anymore so you all just sit back and enjoy as well.

Best of luck to Sam!



JMO.

ditto Spizzltop. First for baseballson. He seems to be taking it in stride. It;s me that is chewing nails!
Their first game started today @ 1...getting tweets!

Awesome picture, CD. Thanks for posting. I love his exuberance.

One of my best friends sent a text pic of his son down at Milb spring training in his first Orioles camp.

Seems like yesterday they were 12yr olds playing on the same All-Star game. I was so proud to see the picture.

Well, after the first full week of ST, as usual, you guys were spot on with your explination of what to expect.

Day one was lots of examinations, blood work, pee in the cup, etc, etc. Pitchers and Catchers only the first day and son said there were a boat load of pitchers so it took all day to get through everyone.

Lots of bull pins mixed in with drills and BP for the next couple days until all of the position guys reported.

After everyone was in camp, son was excited to actually get to take some cuts against live arms. With the hip injury and everything, he hadn't seen live pitching since instructs. We were really surprised that he wasn't given any restrictions. I guess in the teams mind, he is fully recovered.

I had worried how good a "baseball" shape he would be in after not really being able to work out through the winter. He told me yesterday that he feels like he is actually in the best shape he has ever been in. Said his arm feels stronger than it ever has and that all of the "T" work (only thing they would let him do through rehab, no live cuts) had allowed him to work on a lot of things with his swing.

They have assigned players to the different level teams for the ST games. Son was assigned to the Bowling Green team, so we are assuming that as the big league team moves players down, as infielddad explained, players will move down according after ST. He will, as expected, probably go through extended and then be assigned to one of their two short season teams.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks to all for the explinations.

CD, have fun watching your son play next week. I won't be able to make the trip down this spring, but my wife and daughter both will be there the 19th through the 26th. If I get a chance, I'm planning on going down in a few weeks. If I do, I'll look in on your son for ya.

Nice photo CD! He looks good in those colors!!!

We'll be arriving in Florida on monday and attending games from Tuesday through Saturday. I'll post our schedule and whereabouts shortly and perhaps we can meet some hsbbwebsters! These pictures were from yesterday.

cant see the pics CD but thanks and i hope you have a blast. we cant go this year so if you see ours tell him hello for us and good luck to TB this year.post all the pics your heart desires,they are appreciated.

I got an interesting phone call. My son got his first ever call up to the big league camp. He will be with be with the Tampa Bay Rays this evening as they take on the Boston Red Sox in Port Charlotte. Better yet, the game is on Internet TV and you bet - our whole family intends to be watching. Who knows if he'll actually get into the game

Times like these are very emotional for me. I can recall with ease all the disappointments, setbacks, and challenges that simply had to be overcome. I would re-do all of that and then some to experience the elation heard in a young man's voice today. A young man and his dream. A young man and yes, his Dad's very same dream. Very emotional indeed

Fantastic news and congratulations CD!!!

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Have no idea why my pictures above are not showing up because they did when I posted

That said, I got an interesting phone call. My son got his first ever call up to the big league camp. He will be with be with the Tampa Bay Rays this evening as they take on the Boston Red Sox in Port Charlotte. Better yet, the game is on Internet TV and you bet - our whole family intends to be watching. Who knows if he'll actually get into the game

Time like these are very emotional for me. I can recall with ease all the disappointments, setbacks, and challenges that simply had to be overcome. I would re-do all of that and then some to experience the elation heard in a young man's voice today. A young man and his dream. A young man and yes, his Dad's very same dream. Very emotional indeed

Good stuff CD. He gets extra pay for the day too!
Will be watching the box score. Good luck!

CD,
That is great news.
As TPM says, he will really like the Clubhouse folks tonight because he will get his per diem as he enters...based on past experience.
Paid in cash..just like money!
From what I have observed over the years, MLB teams plan these call ups quite well and usually with innings already scheduled for each player.
Boy, do I hope that is true tonight.
Have fun. Here is to seeing Tyler on TV.

Very cool!

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
Good stuff CD. He gets extra pay for the day too!
Will be watching the box score. Good luck!

He mentioned that to me

For those that are unaware, minor leaguers are only given a per diem each day which basically covers their food. He was given $50.00 for the game tonight for the opportunity. For someone that makes about 6,000 per year, $50 is a lot of money

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
Good stuff CD. He gets extra pay for the day too!
Will be watching the box score. Good luck!

He mentioned that to me

For those that are unaware, minor leaguers are only given a per diem each day which basically covers their food. He was given $50.00 for the game tonight for the opportunity. For someone that makes about 6,000 per year, $50 is a lot of money

Yeah they get a kick out of that. Actually ML camp meal money per day is 82.50, plus they are provided two full meals a day, besides that. Milb is 20,25 per day? ML camp money comes to about 1000K a week (they pay you for all sorts of stuff) a little less if you live in the hotel. Cash. Of course clubhouse fees are a killer but not as much for the guys not on the regular 25 man roster.
If you try to figure out how much it costs a team to run a ML team and milb it's just mind boggling, and you can understand why they pay the superstars what they do and why they charge mucho bucks for season tickets.
Anyway, regardless of whether he gets in or not, he will finally get the feel of the big league clubhouse and get to watch both teams at work up close and personal, it's a great experience.

I am so excited for you CD and Tyler as well. Congrats!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
I got an interesting phone call. My son got his first ever call up to the big league camp. He will be with be with the Tampa Bay Rays this evening as they take on the Boston Red Sox in Port Charlotte. Better yet, the game is on Internet TV and you bet - our whole family intends to be watching. Who knows if he'll actually get into the game

Well that just made my day!

Oh my gosh, all I can say is...



Way to go, Tyler!!! !!! !!! !!! !!! Have fun!!! !!! !!! !!! !!!

Julie

So exciting, CD! Congrats to you and your son. Enjoy!

Tyler's presence must have been good luck for the Rays - they beat the Red Sox 7-3.

I'd love to hear what Tyler has to say about the experience. So cool!!!

Julie

congrats CD, i know how you feel.tonight you'll never stop smiling. you and he will have alot to talk about for a while,glad for ya'lls family.see some games for me next week and all the best.

Thanks to everyone here for such kind wishes!!

He didn't get into the game last night...

He said hello to Manny Ramirez and Manny said "Hey, how ya doin!" in a nice way. It was a thrill to get called up.

Fun, ain't it, CD?

quote:

Originally posted by FormerObserver:


Fun, ain't it, CD?

I've always loved that question of yours FO

All he got to do last night was dress, shower, and sit in the dugout with big leaguers and it was thrilling for him. He said he was treated well and nobody "big-leagued" him with a superior attitude. Said Manny Ramirez was friendly and approachable. Growing up here in Cleveland, Manny was his hero as a kid. I've always liked Manny myself despite the goofy stuff and the other more unpleasant stuff. He gained a few points last night at least with this Dad for showing respect to his son.

Here is my spring training schedule for next week. We plan to be at all these games and locations so if someone thinks they might be at any one of those, send me a pm and I'll get your cell phone number and/or send mine:

March 22 Fort Myers Miracle Lee County Sports Complex
March 23 Salem Red Sox TBA
March 24 Frederick Keys Twin Lakes Park
March 25 Salem Red Sox TBA
March 26 Frederick Keys Twin Lakes Park

Was at a sports grill for lunch today and saw some of the highlights of your game last night.

My son was talking about someone he knew on the team that he had played with.

Certainly a much different perspective than what the media generates...............

CD, all I can add is WOW! What a thrill for your son and your entire family! You and Tyler have experienced what many readers on here dream of. The best of luck to Tyler!

quote:

Originally posted by carol:
CD, all I can add is WOW! What a thrill for your son and your entire family! You and Tyler have experienced what many readers on here dream of. The best of luck to Tyler!

carol - thanks so much for the kind wishes!

The key to this whole thing is enjoying what is going on today and living in the moment. Getting the most out of today and letting tomorrow take care of itself. Time flies so fast. Each level carries its own unique reward. No level of baseball out-ranks another in terms of its rewards imho. Enjoy the moment and encourage your son to love the game. From his love of the game, everything is possible.

My son just called and has been called up again today to the big league club for a game against the Orioles. We pray of course he could get his first opportunity in an MLB spring training game

Thanks again everyone for the super nice things you have posted in this thread!

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad: The key to this whole thing is enjoying what is going on today and living in the moment. Getting the most out of today and letting tomorrow take care of itself. Time flies so fast. Each level carries its own unique reward. No level of baseball out-ranks another in terms of its rewards imho. Enjoy the moment and encourage your son to love the game. From his love of the game, everything is possible.

My son just called and has been called up again today to the big league club for a game against the Orioles. We pray of course he could get his first opportunity in an MLB spring training game

Thanks again everyone for the super nice things you have posted in this thread!

Yep! Just when you think things have settled some...Things are moving pretty quickly...juts never know do you?

44

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Don't fret CD, the one day DK didn't call us to tell us he was dressing out with the team, he got in one inning. Funny how that works.
He still had a fun day for sure!

Perhaps he'll get a call up when you are there!

Awesome CD! Tyler must be having a great time living the dream. As TPM said I sure hope he gets in a game while your family is there.

It seems like Tyler is moving up quickly, or is this the norm?

Congratulations to Tyler and your entire family!