This thread is pretty much for the parents; parents anxious (in the true definiton of the word) about their son's progress through The Dream. With a Free Agent signing son, I've been more than worried about his limited PT. I have my little sulk, and then I slap myself. Whadayacrazy? He's there! He could be job hunting right now, in what is amusingly known as the Real World. He could be knocking on the doors of the Independent Leagues. He could be playing or coaching in Europe.
But he's not. He's a professional baseball player in the American Minor League. What he's wanted since he was old enough to know baseball existed. How many people even have a lifelong dream, let alone get to realize it?
It's immaterial and unproductive to be concerned about what advantages draft position or bonus investment give; the player still has to produce. There are players from every level of the draft (and even Free Agents) who have made the Majors. And there are players from each of those levels who have had a few Golden Years playing the game they love in the Minors before one of a number of reasons ended it.
I always preached to my kids to enjoy their 20's doing whatever they wanted to do. There are many, many years to get married, raise children, pay mortgages, tend to your 9 to 5, an generally Be Responsible. I am so gratified and grateful that he's had the opportunity to do just that. He said it when he called to tell me the Padres called with the contract offer --- "Whatever happens from here, I made it; I'm a professional baseball player."
He's very fortunate to be where he is within that system. He's in an old-time park with a strong local following. He has a manager who has managed at every level of the game and is a calm and positive man. His teammates are gelling nicely. And he's getting more chances.
Prepster saw him play the other night when he went 0-fer. However, he hit the ball well (the evil opposing OFers caught them), and Skip told him just that -- you're hitting the ball well, you'll be catching again tomorrow night. That's the professional game.
I asked him the question asked here --- how does it compare to his college experience? He came from a mid-D1, and although GSU hasn't had any high draft picks the last couple of years, 4 players have signed in each of the last two years. He said it doesn't compare. Nothing, I asked? Only the part about the little white ball you throw and hit and catch...then there's the 27 outs per side.
Every guy in every position is the guy you took notice of in college ball. The coaches know what they're doing. Fundamentals count, and are executed. You wake up and go to the field, you play baseball, and you do it again the next day. All along the way are little Baseball Moments --- a great play, an exchange with a fan, a joke n the field that lightens an upset pitcher....Skip decrying 'lollygaggers'.
One of the team played in AAA for a couple of days while the guy at his position played in the Futures Game, and amongst his descriptions of the differences was the clubhouse spread. AAA gets beef strogonoff and chicken. The Ems get ham sandwiches, PB&J, and an array of jello, brownies, and cupcakes a local woman sends over. There's a difference between A ball and AAA you don't hear about, he told me --- we're apparently in the third grade!
. We know what those bullpen fans are up to!
