Minor League Reporting

Hooray for Rob!



After that yo-yo trip just before, that's even better news! How exciting for him to have been chosen to go to Portland. That says a lot about how he is regarded by the organization.

I gotta keep up better, I should have seen Rob's move before my trip!

I understand there's a photo someplace on MySpace of Rob & Mitch Canham on one of those interminable overnight bus trips, both asleep with Mitch's head fallen over on Rob's shoulder. And everybody thought UNC & Oregon were rivals.....

Prepster ...

Hooray for Rob. Didn't realize he had made that move. Hope he keeps up the accellerated advancement and ends up at PetCo one of these days real soon.

Orlando ...

Obviously you made it home safely and your computer is still working. (My laptop, which I think has part of my heart muscle in it, is dying a slow death and needs a trip to the CPU ER today or I would have sent you a message last night.) It was great to see how well Aeden did while you were here and yes, I do believe you should pull up stakes and become a baseball groupie ... have pondered doing it myself but my daughter-in-love feels a little differently about it than I do. But she will understand some day when she has a child of her own, right?

Had a great time Friday ... hope the girl scouts didn't outnumber the adult fans Saturday.

There is much to learn about our sons' lives in the minors, and this is the place to share it.

The Padres have made a lot of moves this year. I understand the Ems (short season A) have made something like 45 changes over the season, as compared to the Giants' SS A club's 4. (The Giants' philosophy is to keep guys at that level for years; I suggested those four died of old age, but I was only being nasty .

In Aeden's case, he was called to Advanced A because of injuries: Bennet on the big club went on the 15 day DL, which meant the AAA starter got called up, which meant he needed to be replaced and the Storm's starter went to Portland (he's been in MiLB for 5 seasons at a whole range of levels with both the Pads and the Rangers). Aeden didn't "earn" Advanced A; but the club chose him for the task when they could have called other guys.

Why didn't the AA catcher go to AAA? Why didn't the Low A catcher go to High A? Everyone's answer seems to be . Maybe a guy hasn't settled into his current level and it would be detrimental to move him. Maybe the pitching staff is struggling and they don't want ot pull a catcher who knows them. Maybe they want to take a look at a guy at a higher level and see if he can deal. Maybe they drew names out of a hat.

From what I've heard from the few sources I have in a few differnet organizations, life in the minors is as inexplicable as parts of the draft.

And the one thing I do believe is that luck is a big factor.

The Storm's Skip told Aeden the first thing he looks for in a guy suddenly finding himself playing at a higher level is fear; is he intimidated by his surroundings, the situation, the players, the competition? So true confidence is essential.

....but not to the point of cockiness. I also heard a story about a player we knew in hs who was, shall we say, having issues with accepting coaching. He was drafted out of hs, then again as a junior in college in the mid-rounds when he signed...and lasted less than a year.

In talking to my son's host family, who have been involved with minor league players for five years, there seems to be a lot of movement and not always the progression those of us in the 'real world' expect....rookie/ss to low A to high A to AA to AAA. Jumps are made in both directions and that can be hard on a player's confidence.

Guys get promoted or given the opportunity to play and who knows why; even from the fans' perspective, it doesn't always seem to be the 'best' player. Guys get called to the big club from AA --- why not always AAA?

All I'm saying is that if your player hasn't yet seen or experienced some of the minor leagues' little idiosyncracies, you might want to mention them before he gets blindsided. A fragile ego will make his life harder.

One piece of advice I've now heard from several sources in different organizations: play for yourself first (being the best you can be will, by definition, help the club) and remember that every organization is watching you.


I loved the slogan on a 66ers' t-shirt in their fan shop: Old Time Baseball --- All Guts, No Glory.

FBM, couldn't have had a better time (unless I stayed longer ) especially with our visit! About the only thing I learned about the St. Berdu girl scouts was....en masse, they don't quite undertand the game....

Would we be groupies? Maybe Camp Followers? Or just the World's Oldest Annies?

I'm so happy for you Orlando and all the other parents who are watching their sons play at the "next" level.

Nice post, lady.

Orlando,
Thank you very much that was a great post.

This topic is turning out as I had intended it to be. Lots of information about life in the mnor leagues.
The one thing you mentioned, is true, all orgnizations are different and all do things differently. For example, Dave has a friend in another organization that got hurt but remained with his team to rehab. Dave couldn't do that, as his organization works on an 8 man rotation, which means you have to pitch every 4 days, maybe 7 days would make more sense, but that was not the rotation. No way he could get better pitching every 4 days.
It's important for parents whose son's are contemplating turning professional younger than many of ours did (first stop college), the organization, not MLB determines much of your success. Orlando knows and we have discussed, Dave's friend has been up and down for two years. Also being a catcher, he often has to go where he is needed for whatever reason. BTW, Dave has another really good friend who never caught, played third base, but now he acts as catcher when needed and learning to be a catcher. He just tweeked his knee (ouch) and is in rehab after surgery. Catchers lead a tough life, I give them lots of credit.

Orlando, I heard the scream when he hit his first.

You are so very correct TPM about doing your homework on the different clubs. Before the draft we had 15 different clubs into our house and of them there were about 5 that would have been very difficult to send a high school player to. Then after the injury the list even got narrower. I found it very interesting when questioning the area scouts and player development guys about pitch counts and innings for young players how absolutely baffled some of them were by the fact that someone was even aware of thier philosiphies (sp) let alone question them about them.

Parents and players should treat the pro draft the same as college. Learn as much as possible to make an educated decision. It is possible to influence who selects you by stating your difficulty in signing with that club. You are not at the mercy of the MLB clubs.

I would assume the options are a little different for college players but should still be some wiggle room.

deldad, if you would be comfortable doing so, maybe you could share some of your research on the organizations' differing approaches to pitchers. I know two of our websters had issues with the Pirates on their training approach, for example.

The Cubs' SS club didn't pay attention to pitch counts, which seemed odd considering their recent history of young arms going south early --- and it was Baker getting the 'meatgrinder' label when the problem started much earlier. The Pads have had pitchers on both the teams my son has caught on pitch counts, however that might impact winning or losing a game.

I've also been somewhat surprised to learn how many players are switching positions at the pro level.

Deldad,
Thanks for that info, great post.

No problem, but one must understand that this research is dated. Do not trust this to make any decisions because personnel and philosophies change.

We found that some clubs had no pitch counts or inning restrictions. We also found some large differences in the amount of oversight that clubs had over their players during the season. Pirates, Orioles and Cubs were the least suited to handle high school pitchers in my opinion. Cleveland, Atlanta and the Angels were the most youth friendly. The focus must be on development not winning at the minor league level. The track records of the clubs are important. If I was a college player being drafted, I would want to be with the A's or the Giants. If I was a high school player I would want to be a Brave or an Angel.

These change over time. Look at what the Yankees are doing with their young players now. That was not the case three years ago.

As for offseason training, I think that they are all a joke. For you new parents to pro ball, it will be a little shocking to learn how little the clubs care about their assets after the season. You will recieve an outdated workout packet from the clubs in mid December and that is about it. All training decisions are left to the individual.


As for the switching positions, I look at it as a positive if the club is willing to give additional chances to players by switching positions. The Angels have recently been taking all their position players who are on the verge of being released and giving them a chance to go back to rookie ball and learn to pitch. As a result, they have found two relievers who throw in the mid 90's.

quote:

The Cubs' SS club didn't pay attention to pitch counts, which seemed odd considering their recent history of young arms going south early

Perhaps a logical cause and effect?

Interesting about the position players being given a chance to learn to pitch. Lance Painter, who is now coaching with the Dodgers' organization, had told my son if he signed as a catcher, he could be given a chance to pitch; but if he signed as a pitcher, he probably wouldn't be given a shot to catch.

Definately cause and effect, Dad....but as a Cards fan, I found it amusing that they haven't learned

quote:

Originally posted by Orlando:
Interesting about the position players being given a chance to learn to pitch. Lance Painter, who is now coaching with the Dodgers' organization, had told my son if he signed as a catcher, he could be given a chance to pitch; but if he signed as a pitcher, he probably wouldn't be given a shot to catch.

Definately cause and effect, Dad....but as a Cards fan, I found it amusing that they haven't learned

Orlando, catchers have great arms, pitchers can't catch.

The story of Ankiel, he was a good pitcher and very athletic, he was also a very good hitter, teams will never turn away someone who can hit. Teams draft players also for their athletic ability. A teams advantage would be to take a very talented player who can't play his position at the next level (for whatever reason)and try to reinvent them instead of drafting a new player who has no clue about the system.

I am hoping that IF the time DK is ever ready, LaRussa will see everyone else using young talent and go with the flow. Their farm system is more geared toward developing pitchers than position players but I hear that is changing.

Many things are changing in milb, one of them more attention to pitch counts by most teams. Some teams will hold back on their pitchers who need some rest time in between the transition, some will not. As far as off season, one of the reasons why son kept his apartment in Clemson. There he can go back and use the facilites for free, with access to the trainers, team doctors, rehab if necessary and can work with the team. Coaches love that also, their former players now turned pro helping the younger guys out or just being around them adds to their program.
In Batavia there was no gym, so son had to join a gym at his expense and he was lucky he had his own workout routine established in college. What do they do with rookies out of HS, do trainers work with them?

The club gave my son a work out program for the off season. He used his own program and hired his own trainer. Players really need to be self motivating

quote:

What do they do with rookies out of HS, do trainers work with them?

From talking to dads with high schoolers kids now in minor leagues and their trainers, they figure it out as they go along, but largely without the hand holding that goes on at the college level. Some are slower to off-season conditioning than others and see the benefits after they start.

quote:

Originally posted by njbb:
Players really need to be self motivating

That's an important and powerful statment.

JMO

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:

quote:

Originally posted by njbb:
Players really need to be self motivating

That's an important and powerful statment.

JMO

Self-motivation, fear of failure and shear will are required for success....in many fields and rarely is achieved without it.

Well, (as Ronald Reagan used to say), I’ve just returned from Podunk, Geneva, IL, about 40 miles WEST of Chicago. Was 1 for 4 on games attended with my son playing. Like a good select team dad, I’ll wait until the end of the season to discuss it with the coach.

One of the things that I have enjoyed the most about this unplanned ride is the people that you come to know. This trip was no exception.

I observed a lot while I was watching. Sometimes, I didn’t. After I got off the plane, endured the rental car lady, I instantly missed the turn onto southbound loop 294. Not too worry, with a fully functioning male compass, I head south on Mannheim with a planned right turn on IL 64 (North Ave) to pick my route back up. Missed that turn, too. After an impressive Texas U-turn (not one honk) and several cell phone conversations at the same time, I made my RIGHT turn onto IL 64 (North Ave) looking for southbound loop 294. Still on the phone, I began to notice the skyline of Chicago materializing in my windshield and with several traffic signals out of service due to the storms the previous days in Chicago, I began my visit with a self-guided tour of Chicago.

Eventually (about two hours), I found myself back at the airport right back where I started and headed to the ballfield just in time for a game without my son in the lineup.

Batavia and Geneva are really beautiful areas, too. (Very brief self-guided tour)

My first realization was that my 21-year-old son had traveled here, found his place, and had started a new job on his own. This is a bigger accomplishment than you realize after you attempt the same feat.

Pulled into the parking lot and gave them my son’s name as he had instructed. Pull right up there Mr. Smith. (front row parking)

Up to the ticket window. My son’s name is Matt Smith. Here is your ticket, Mr. Smith (right behind the catcher) Yep, first row home plate.

Handed the ticket taker my stub. “My first time here to see my son” “Your son is?” “Matt Smith” Oh, OK, and then two or three of the older retired men filled me in on about everything I needed to know about the ballpark and the Kane County Cougars. "We've been coming to see the Cougars since 1992."

Already a growing crowd, I sat down in the seats right above the on deck circle with a gate that opened to the field. Then the young 8-10 year old boys started showing up with Sharpe , balls, etc. to sign. Peeking their head around the dugout. “Would you come sign? So from one end of the dugout to the other, they ran with a deck of local player baseball cards getting them signed.

So, I sat there and watched dads as they watched their young boys clamor to get position to get an autograph….from my son. Nawp, I never said a word, just observed, through my sunglasses, though.

There was one really small red headed squirt that had on the evenings give -away Josh Becket (a former Kane County Cougar)t-shirt. All you could see of him were his hands, feet, and the shirt. I looked up and he was working his way into the pack of bigger boys, and, I thought he would never make it. His dad just sat back and watched. Finally, I looked back at the pack and the little squirt was at the front of the pack, handing his ball to the coach who was now signing and then he emerged from the middle of the pack ball held high in the air to show his dad with the biggest smile of accomplishment that I have ever seen. (His dad was the one that sat back and just watched.)

There were 8 throw out the first pitches (one of which was clearly a WP) and I think as many fans on the field as there were in the stands. Attendance for the night was about 7,500. 2,500 adults and 5,000 kids. Kids, Kids, and more kids and they had the best time.

So, now I know why so many fans show up for a minor league baseball game at Elsfrom stadium in Geneval, IL. They did the YMCA, launched balls into the stands, watched the various characters cut up between innings, and enjoyed really good ballpark food. There were no hookers, biggerpappi, but it was close to Chicago.

After getting up in Lubbock, Texas at 3:45 AM, I got into bed at 1:00AM in Geneva, IL.

On Saturday, after sleeping until 1:00PM, I fnally woke up, about 3:00PM in time to call play baseball to tell her that Matt was not gonna be in the lineup and maybe they should try to attend another game. Nope we’re going out to dinner. “What would you like?” “Someplace I wouldn’t go unless you went with me”. So, gotwood4sale, play baseball, and their son (recovering from recent TJ surgery) show up and take me to eat some Chicago style pizza and we talk about baseball and the hsbaseballweb. I learned why gotwood4sale posts so many pictures. All the stuff he types is done with ONE finger. I guess that’s one way to get a thousand words in if you can only type with one finer. We talked about the history and characters of the hsbaseballweb, its’ success, and now grown from 300 members when I started to more than 10,000 now, and the difficulty that the newbies must have now sifting through so much information.

After dinner, I picked my son and one of his roommates at their host “mom’s house and took them to dinner (just like it works in college).

Got to my room at 1:00AM using only two 15 mile Texas U-turns.

On Sunday, gotwood4sale and play baseball’s son, attended the afternoon game with me. Matt was in the lineup and the team won another game while Matt went ofer, keeping alive a slim chance to be in the playoffs in a couple of weeks. I worked on my goal of having at least one of every item on the concession menu before my trip was over.

After the game, we headed to Matt’s host mom’s house where she was having an end of the season party for the hosts and players. I enjoyed a complete sampling of the menu. I had no idea of the support network that was in place for the players. Those hosts adopt the players and many remain life long friends. “We hope he’s not back next year, but we’d love to have ‘em.” Some of the host families attend instructional league in AZ in the fall and spring training. Spring training is where they find out who will be on “their” team and will join them for another summer of baseball. One of them is a photographer that handed me an envelope FULL of pictures of Matt.

The hosts were all wonderful caring people and I will never forget meeting them and learning about what they do.

On Monday while on a rare official vacation, I accomplished a little work and only threatened to quit my job one time before heading to the ballpark with a pregame dinner with the gotwood4sale family including their beautiful softball playing daughters.

So, that I can have a Chicago hŏt dŏg. They are much different than Texas hawt dawgs.

I think I was actually refused service at one quick stop at a bar because I did not speak the local language, but a wink and a flashed $50 bill was effective as usual.

It was a beautiful Monday evening with maybe 5 or 6 thousand fans having a good time again observing as the Cougars took a thumping after a five game win streak. Watched a young ump working to move up, just like the baseball players, work his second plate in the four game serious, obviously tired, now, but one of Matt’s favorites that he enjoys working with.

As I waited with the other host families, Matt came out of the dressing room, signed some things for a group of boys and we headed out to get a quick bite so that he could get into bed for a 9:00AM departure for an out of town game tonight, where he will likely be in the lineup.

While we were leaving, that group of retired gentlemen that were working the gate and the parking (a bunch of them) were directing the fans in the right direction for their safety, “Thank you for coming to the game tonight. Please come back to see us”

It was a pleasure meeting gotwood4sale, play baseball, and their beautiful family. Their best traits and features were evident in their kids and I look forward to observing their future success.

I hope Matt’s not back in Geneva next year, but I’d love to see them all again.

That’s what my weekend was like.

Thank you for the laughs, the happy tears, and the joy of taking us along with you. You made my evening.

FO...that was GREAT!!!! Thanks so much for sharing! This has been a great thread...I now have visuals of RZ riding in with the Blues Brothers...and now I have a visual of FO and a Texas U-Turn on a Chicago highway! Great story...thanks again!

Magical times, FO, thanks for sharing it with us!

Wow, what a great post!

I am so jealous, although I got to see my son most of the summer it wasn't while playiing his first year of pro ball.

I am anxiously awaiting next spring.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Great post! The folks from the midwest are the best!

Very selfishly, I do hope that Matt will be back with the Cougars next spring. At least for a while....long enough for his Daddy to come up to see him.....

We had the most wonderful weekend, too, with the Former Observer. I am so glad that he let us all know who he really is....and he is really a wonderful man. We talked and laughed...and ate....and even joked that we wouldn't let our kids do this...meet up with someone they "met" on the internet! FO is quite a gentleman.

My entire family had the pleasure of watching Matt play and meeting him last month. My oldest son had the pleasure of attending the season-ending party with Matt and the FO. Nick enjoyed that he didn't have to explain his arm brace-- all of the players knew what it was for! Nick and Matt have plans to go to the "real" downtown--Chicago, not Wheaton--before Matt leaves.

As a lurker in this thread, the weekend was a glimpse into your life. As the Former Observer says, "That's cool".

Nice post, FO...and thanks to all the now "pro parents" for sharing their sons' adventures with us.

FO - What a great story - thank you for sharing

08

Please don't 'shoot the messenger' so to speak, yet I heard rumors last night of another 1st rounder has received MLB 50 games.

Are (TK) tunes of
"I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then
I wish I could start this whole thing over again"
applicable for these stupid kids?........

Ouch
Bear

Bear, you say 'another' first rounder. Have I missed something?

A Rays 2nd rounder got 50 games this month.

Even if it is a matter of public record (which it was posted on a fantasy baseball site this AM)...

...I won't name the name. I don't see how this advances anything...particularly in a thus far "golden" thread.

Certainly unfortunate since both are extremely talented clean. At least one would assume they were clean at one time.

It wasn't one of our kids so let's keep this on the positive.

FYI, Orlando's catcher has been asked to attend fall instrux. I think this has been an amazing summer for him and mom. Undrafted, signed as free agent, given great opportunities, I think this is the summer success story here on the HSBBW. I also know she has a great 'tude as she takes each game at a time!

On another note, DK threw a bullpen and is to go (as they said). Whatever that means!

TPM

Great news about DK!!!

Orlando:

And equally great news about your son!!!

08

quote:

FYI, Orlando's catcher has been asked to attend fall instrux. I think this has been an amazing summer for him and mom. Undrafted, signed as free agent, given great opportunities, I think this is the summer success story here on the HSBBW.

It really is...........

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
It wasn't one of our kids so let's keep this on the positive.

FYI, Orlando's catcher has been asked to attend fall instrux. I think this has been an amazing summer for him and mom. Undrafted, signed as free agent, given great opportunities, I think this is the summer success story here on the HSBBW. I also know she has a great 'tude as she takes each game at a time!

On another note, DK threw a bullpen and is to go (as they said). Whatever that means!

Two pieces of Good News!!!

Wonderful news for DK and Orlando's son.

quote:

Originally posted by JT:
Wonderful news for DK and Orlando's son.

It is great news for both! Orlando's son played on a team with my son in high school a looong time ago, once upon a time. The coach commented that Aeden would make a good coach after college with his smarts and feel for the game. I'm not sure he understood he was a player also.

FormerObserver,

I really enjoyed reading your post. Brang back a few good memories. Thanks and best of luck to Matt, but we are hoping the Kernels get that last playoff spot.