Minor League Reporting

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
These are the posts I am the most interested in hearing.
You are somewhere in baseball I can't wait to be.

OS,
Actually where you want to be is getting ready for your son's first college season.

It's a blast, wouldn't have missed college baseball for anything.

Thanks for the information, I got more information from your post than I ever did form my son

Would it too unbearably repetitive of me to mention once again that I think this is the best thread on HSBBW?

FO - I can't tell you how much I appreciate your descriptions of your experiences following your son. You are a gifted writer, who has the ability to even make your car trip to the game entertaining!

For all of us whose sons are several levels below even dreaming about playing professioanally, to get firsthand accounts from parents of current pros is incredibly valuable.

TPM - thank you also. I really treasure your insight and wisdom. Its - same.

Sorry to gush, but I do hope you ALL realize what a service you are providing!

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
These are the posts I am the most interested in hearing.
You are somewhere in baseball I can't wait to be.

OS,
Actually where you want to be is getting ready for your son's first college season.

It's a blast, wouldn't have missed college baseball for anything.

TPM............I hope you are 100% right on !!

A FAN

Great Post, FO --- thanks for the detail. It'll give me some questions to ask tomorrow. I keep catching mine in the middle of watching the postseason games with the guys....so not much info this past week!

I was sorry to hear about your loss; my thoughts are with you.

We will have our boys back soon.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
Would it too unbearably repetitive of me to mention once again that I think this is the best thread on HSBBW?

FO - I can't tell you how much I appreciate your descriptions of your experiences following your son. You are a gifted writer, who has the ability to even make your car trip to the game entertaining!

For all of us whose sons are several levels below even dreaming about playing professioanally, to get firsthand accounts from parents of current pros is incredibly valuable.

TPM - thank you also. I really treasure your insight and wisdom. Its - same.

Sorry to gush, but I do hope you ALL realize what a service you are providing!

Thanks Rob, that was the intention of the thread. I agree with njbb, sometimes it's hard to pull the info from them, and since mine had a different summer, my perspective is different and seeng it from a pitcher's side.
I learned a lot this summer, son learned alot this summer. First of all, first rounder or 45th rounder, everyone is the same when they arrive, same food, same accomodations, same attention when you get hurt, etc. in other words, everyone rides the same bus. At first his rehab was somewhat frustrating, college is a quick fix, we need you asap, in the professional world, it's a sloooooooooow process which can become frustrating. But they have their reasons for doing things and you have to abide by them. I didn't realize this until just this week, son looks totally different than he did in July, there was a reason for all those weeks of reps.

FO, the reason for the lemons is the funny tasting water, other teams use bottled water

Things I have learned... It is a positive,encouraging environment, but take it VERY seriously every thing you do ends up in a report.

Players are not allowed to wear team logo off the field. (security reasons)
Security....players have numbers to call if they or their families feel the are being stalked or harassed. Players can be at risk, there are a lot of nuts out there (remember the Natural) also some may think players make lots of $$$$$.

As I've said before It's impressive what goes into putting a MLB team on the field.

A good book to read is the "Inside Pitch" life in professional baseball by George Gmelch

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
I learned a lot this summer, son learned alot this summer. First of all, first rounder or 45th rounder, everyone is the same when they arrive, same food, same accomodations, same attention when you get hurt, etc. in other words, everyone rides the same bus. .

TPM, we have discussed this before and we will, I think agree to disagree.
Maybe it is experiences in different organizations or maybe it is a difference observed over a longer period of time.
IMO, a 45th rounder who is paid a bonus commensurate with that pick is not treated the same as a 5th rounder in many ways. Does not mean that the 45th rounder cannot eventually "earn" equal treatment/playing opportunities and does not mean the 5th rounder cannot play himself into the opposite result.
As a practical matter, when both are at the start line competing for that which is most important, playing time, the 5th rounder is going to receive far more chances to fail than the 45th rounder is going to receive to succeed.
The reality of Milb baseball is that whichever one ultimately wins that position, one players moves forward and one goes home.

infielddad,
There are many postives and negatives in pro ball. All teams obvioulsy do things differently. I was under the impression that some folks liked hearing about some experiences, good and bad.

I was relating to a few short weeks in ss and a month in fall ball. First rounders, second rounders, 2Oth rounders, all drafted in different places, no rounders, 17 year old DR league players, HS, college. Within the organization (is that better), everyone eats the same food, stays in the same hotel, gets the same pay, rakes the same field, places the same ball in teh buckets, everyone has to show up at the same time, go to the same meetings, and, all ride the same bus, so to speak, for now.


I see Txmom's son is in the AFL. Would like to hear about those experiences.

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
infielddad,
There are many postives and negatives in pro ball. All teams obvioulsy do things differently. I was under the impression that some folks liked hearing about some experiences, good and bad.

I thought so too until Fungo, FrankF and I, the "woebegone troika," were suggested to be interrupting the fun.

My view is a bit different because my son was drafted out of high school and went to complex ball which is very much like instructional league.
In complex ball like instructional league players are treated about the same. Lower round picks receive the same instruction and have the opportunity to show the coaching staff their talent.
If they show the organization they have the talent to be a MLB player they are considered "a great scouting find"
Once a player advances to short season or low A there are more games and less instruction, playing time is based on your value in the organization. So if college players are just starting their 1st season in ss or low A their playing time is based on draft status and signing bonus. that gives the lower round college kid less playing time and fewer opportunities.
Where the hs player moving up from complex ball has already had the opportunity to up his value regardless of where he was drafted.

Baseball America has a new player writing in Prospect Diaries.
I love their perspectives.

TPM I'm having trouble finding it, could you post the link?

Doc, try this.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265036.html

Thanks infielddad

Many pages back, TxMom wrote;

quote:

Originally posted by TxMom:
First, you hear it all the time, but making adjustments at every level is key to success. However, learning HOW to make adjustments often requires struggle combined with guidance from people who have "been there." Everyone at the top understands this. Its probably why they don't make life too easy in the minors and why most coaches have Big League experience. Some call this "old school," but I think it’s just a proven method for success. In looking back, I can see how our son's struggles both on and off the field prepared him for the future...how they taught him flexible thinking and strengthened his mental approach.

........

Finally, I now better understand that it’s important for me as a parent to portray a genuine sense of peace with everything that happens in his world...especially for our his sake. More than anything, these guys need people they can count on for stability and hope. They live a crazy, exciting life and everything they do at work is public knowledge. Most of us can hide our daily successes and failures, but theirs are broadcast live, published on the web, and analyzed by everyone from GMs to the neighbor down the street. They need someone who can sincerely say, "Everything is going to be fine," no matter what happens. I'm still learning how to be that person, but I hope I'm getting a little better at it over time.
.

Of course there is good and bad, fair and unfair, golden chances and getting shut out in the minors. Sort of like, I don't know ---- life?

The biggest "Unfair" is the draft. In every other profession, the top talent can research and interview with the most attractive employers to them and their needs; in baseball, you play for the club that picked you. (With rare exceptions, mostly immaterial to this board) That club could have the worst rep for developing players at your position, could be GU, could be anything bad, and the only choice the drafted player has is to not play.

But our guys are still lining up for the job. Guess they want it.

Draft position and its impact on chances given is one part of the picture. And draft position will never, ever change. We can't do a blasted thing about it, either.

So, keeping in mind TxMom's wise words, we can, as parents, be aware of draft position's potential impact --- and be aware that our sons know exactly what it means --- without dwelling on it. There's a lot more to this experience than draft position. And our job, as the player's Safe Harbor, will be better accomplished by concentrating on the things that will help him cope rather than a single, unchangeable occurance.

quote:

So, keeping in mind TxMom's wise words, we can, as parents, be aware of draft position's potential impact --- and be aware that our sons know exactly what it means --- without dwelling on it. There's a lot more to this experience than draft position. And our job, as the player's Safe Harbor, will be better accomplished by concentrating on the things that will help him cope rather than a single, unchangeable occurance.

I think there is quite a difference between dwelling on it as opposed to pointing out that the experiences can vary depending on draft position, depending on your organization, and very legitimately as njbb points out, a combination of each.

My view is there isn't a single thing a parent can do as it relates to a player's draft status and place. The singular most important thing that makes a difference is how your son plays, and how he manages himself...after the draft.
There are no safe harbors. It is a competitive business. It is filled with many varying experiences and equally varying emotions. The experiences and emotions magnify the longer the your son plays, I think.
Next April, some of our sons are going to learn they have an assignment and, for those, the day will be exhilarating. Some are going to learn they don't have an assignment but will stay in extended Spring training to hopefully play another day.
Some are going to learn they are being released.
These decisions get made in ways no one ever understands, least of all players and their parents.
I don't think anyone will ever say their draft position was the reason they were released or assigned. But, IMO, it would be a fallacy to say, for some, the draft position may not have impacted the opportunities that resulted in those decisions.

I have to say pro ball is great experience when your healthy and continue to improve and advance...

I think that Orlando and infielddad bring up good thoughts.
We have no control over much once they leave our nests, no matter where they head off to they are the only ones who have to make things happen by how they perform. The most we can do is be there to listen to what they have to say. We don't give advice, we just try to listen. And sometimes they get into a position where they want our help, but unfortunetly we can't, they are under the control of their team, their college coach, they and we have no choice, that I have found out from our experiences.

One thing to remember, most of our son's have gone from college to pro ball, and I think that makes a big difference in their perceptions and expectations. I have enjoyed discussions off board with njbb and have learned alot from her perspective (as a parent of a player out of HS) just as I am sure she has learned some from us. It's good for folks to see all sides. My son has a few freinds that have left on their own after a few years, with college degree in hand, it's much easier to make that decision to move forward. Many coming out of college have a whole lot of non baseball priorities than those out of HS, IMO.

It sounds like everyone has had some good experiences as rookies, and I am sure that parents reading this will understand that as well, it's like your first year in college, you get to cut some slack if you don't perform your best (no matter who you are ). Your success is not measured in W or L or your BA. I found it very interesting that teams are different, I know in the Cards if you perform well, you are up to the next stop or next level asap. They have a scouting director that believes you don't learn much by sitting around in a level where you dominated, as seen by the many players that moved quickly to ss to long season. Meanwhile very few HS rookies move out of rookie ball as quickly as the college draft guys. Meanwhile I am watching a player drafted very high out of HS who has been in low A (different organization) for two seasons as there is no where to go and he hasn't progressed much. Personally he most likely IMO would have been better off going to that big program he committed to, get 3 years of school in and now in his draft year again. Has his top draft spot given him a chance to continue, most likely. On the other hand I have seen some from HS move very quickly in their organizations, and some still in the same place after many years regardless of draft position.

As far as fall instruction, Deldad was pretty much right on, if the ones who got some nice money to sign had their choice, they would not be there, especially for pitchers who put in long seasons in college and summer. Many of the college rookie pitchers did not have to come and they were not unhappy about it. Personally, as a parent I would have preferred mine to go back for a semester of classes, because in the long run, that is where we always placed importance first. Many college players that I know (regardless of draft position) given permission to go back to get their degrees finished in they only have a few credits to finish up. That may mean a difference in where they will end of in the spring, but I think most choosing to play college baseball after 3 maybe 4 years of long hours in teh classroom, want that degree.

quote:

tpm quote:
Many college players that I know (regardless of draft position) given permission to go back to get their degrees finished in they only have a few credits to finish up. That may mean a difference in where they will end of in the spring,

Agree and disagree. The Yankees had no problem with Ryan turning down instructionals to go back to school. He did ask about how it may affect the spring training assignment and they said it would have no affect. Especially for pitchers, because you have minimal appearances in the instructionals and many who have thrown a lot of innings during the past college and rookie seasons are on the "down side" of the year, the 3 weeks of instructionals do not carry much weight if any toward the next Spring. This is a "what can you do for me now" situation and how you did in the short October instuctionals is almost forgotten by the time March rolls around.

I don't know if I can agree.

If a player signed for $ with the stipulation that he would return to school in the fall,everyone is in agreement.
Otherwise when you sign that contract you are employed, baseball is your career and your career should be you #1 priority.

Instrucxs,winterball and mini camps are all voluntary but what does it say to your employer when you decline?

Will what you do in instruxs be forgotten ? Nothing is forgotten its all in the reports

Will it affect where you play in the spring? Well if you are going to instrucxs to learn new mechanics, then take that home with you and work on it over the winter,you will come into spring training ahead of where you were when the season ended. So yes it can

Its your career, the best will advance and the rest will go home.
Remember there are only so many openings and there is ALWAYS someone wants your job.

Instructs are very important. It's usually quite an honor (and a very good sign) to be one of the few players in the organization invited. It means you're a good MLB prospect in their eyes. If they didn't think the instructionals were important, they wouldn't go to the trouble and expense of holding them.

Regarding the future, instructs can be very valuable. A friend of mine ran this year's instructs for the Twins. He is the head of the Twins Minor League system. He already has penciled in where players who were at instructs are going to be next year. Granted that can all change.

When my son was with the Yankees and was invited to instructional ball, he wasn't really asked as much as told they want him to attend. There didn't seem to be any volunteering involved. Guess I've never heard of a young player turning down instructional. Yet, I do think finishing school is a very good reason if a player doesn't attend.

It can be a very big benefit going to instructional, both because of learning a few things, but most importantly to get familiar with a lot of the "brass" who make decisions and them getting more familiar with you. On the other hand, if a player produces the next season, things will work out just fine.

Ryan had a great season going 6-1 with a 3.23 era. I can see where they would let him off to finish his studies.

Me too, in fact, they will often want to rest a first year pitcher out of college.

My point is... Instructs ARE a big deal with every organization, a very important, but low key, type thing and an honor. There are not many who have decided not go to them, but it's not going to stop the player who doesn't attend from being successful.

Of course, any player who continues to produce during the season will continue to climb the ladder.

Thanks, PGStaff, a month ago I might not have comprended that so well.

quote:

but most importantly to get familiar with a lot of the "brass" who make decisions and them getting more familiar with you.

I just observed that last week...........

.

Ditto...

cadDAD

.

pg & njbb you're absolutely correct. I've given myself a spankin' and a timeout for ignoring my personal hsbb pet peeve of making a general statement only using a personal situation

The Staten Island Yanks were across the river from the MLB Yanks so there was always MLB brass in the area, the scholarship program was part of the contract,, and Ryan, because of his surgical rehab had been throwing about 3 months longer than others preparing for his college season. This situation is different than most. Bottom line, if everything falls in place and the invite is made, the instructional's are a great way to end a season.

rz,

Here's hoping Ryan has a great season next year.

BTW, he will find out that many of the most important people in the Yankees system reside in Tampa all year rather than NY. That includes Billy Connors who is a big favorite of mine.

I would agree they are a big deal but my guess is each team has its own philosophy too. My son was down almost 2 weeks earlier than all the other teams and almost all of the college pitchers were sent home right after the season & did not attend. Seems my son's team concentrated a lot on "first timers" or 2007 draftees but not exclusively either.

It really worked out well for him because he started school the day after he got home. Best of both worlds. Most teams start too late for kids to enroll in the quarter system. We really lucked out!

I guess you could say no and not attend but I don't think that is a smart move for a younger kid. You'd pay a lot of money to get that instruction and exposure. As a dad, I really enjoyed all the info he got from the trainers & pitching coaches. Not to mention, they have motivated him to work like he has never worked before too.

Most of the college pitchers I know that put significant time on the mound in college then in ss don't have to attend full instruction, they may show up for first meeetings, get some pointers and head home or just do not have to attend at all. Many do have prior permission to head back to school. Most of the players in son's camp were either from the DR or rookies from high school or position players or players who had been in rehab but also not exclusively, but in teh majority. Mine had not pitched all summer and needed the rehab innings and have some people see him who ordinarily might have in season.
Since getting actual instruction in season is tough for most managers and coaches, fall instruction provides invaluable experience for teh younger ones.

My son loved Instructs. He didn't throw many innings in short season so that was not an issue. Besides meeting several of the Rockies "brass" he got to work with other coaches in the system. He got to know their approach and they got to know him a little. (He also got to meet Mel Stottlemyre - the first pitching video I had him look at was Mel's.)

TPM - this has been a great topic.

O4Parent,
Thanks!

A delayed congratulations to your family and Conner!

My son has returned to get a "quarter" of college in after his last two minor league seasons.
This time his time at college is being broken up by one week of training in Australia and two weeks for the World Cup in Taiwan! Baseball is his number one priority but his professors are willing to work with him, so he may be able to salvage his courses . . . but no matter what he is having incredible experiences.

cdnmom,
Way to go to your son! Who is he playing for in the world cup?

Jimmy is playing for Canada. He has always lived in Canada until going to California for college. His Canadian passport had expired though so that was a very stressful time, trying to renew it in time for the trip. He was on a first name basis with the people at the Candian Consulate in Los Angeles and they had given him their direct line for phoning. They have a real backlog at the passport office. He was not going to be allowed to travel with the team if he didn't have his passport. He finally got it on Thursday and he left on Saturday . . . very little time to spare!

cdnmom --- just in case you didn't yet know, stadeo.tv.com is broadcasting games from Taiwan on the 'net. Go to their site and click on the '41 Games Live'

Good Luck to Canada --- there is nothing like playing with the name of your country on your chest!

Thanks for letting me know. I watched his first game live at 2a.m. our time. Quite a thrill!

This whole earth going around the sun thing can cause those little inconveniences. I went from games starting at 10pm to games starting at 5am my time. But is it ever worth losing a bit of sleep!

Italy may be going for it after their disappointing result in the Euros, and the Dutch are always strong, but there are some changes to everybody's rosters since October. Interesting.

Here are some info sites:

IBAF

World Cup Baseball Reference

Mister Baseball