Released from Frontier League team after leading the team in avg and obp during spring training

I am sorry that this happened.   I get it, trust me.

The decisions to let players go is not always the manager's or coach's decision. They are only the messenger.

However, it does seem clear to me, from what you posted, that you got an explanation.

Best of luck to you.

@TPM youre right, thank you T

The harsh reality for players like you is that most organizations don't want a pesky hitter.  They want a power hitter.  Lots of blue collar tough well rounded baseball players suffer the same fate.  Same goes for pitchers who lack velocity.  Keep grinding and try to find another opportunity.  Best of luck.   

Yes on pitchers.  Scouts have told me and son that they think he can be productive in minors and majors BUT he does not have the velocity they are looking for.  So he probably will not be drafted.  That is reality today.  It happens whether you are going into college or looking at draft.  There are certain things they are looking for.  The only catch is sometimes you can find the right team/coaches that are looking for success rather than a certain speed, power, velocity or any other thing.

@d-mac

To counter that the game has changed a bit with the game clock and guys that can run the bases and get on base are now valued much higher.

Unfortunately 6 games is a very small sample size of stats, but it sounds like you did the very best with the opportunity you were given and that’s awesome…

Are there other leagues you are looking at?  Other teams in the Frontier League that you can contact and try to hook up with?

@kt333 posted:

After attending a workout this off season and having my best year last year I was lucky enough to get invited to one of the team's spring trainings in the frontier league this year. I came in as a utility, but they needed me to be an infielder. Ended up leading the team in batting average and obp through 6 games. Went hitless only one game where I pinch hit one time with a runner in scoring position and barreled a ball to the third baseman. Went 4 for 5 with a double, sac fly and hbp with runners in scoring position. Defensively held my own up the middle other than a couple off line relay throws that did not result in baserunners advancing.

Even as a veteran, I expected to make the team after this, especially a guy who can play most positions and can steal bases at a high rate. When the coach called me into his office he said "we said we needed you to show you were better than what we have at the beginning of camp and you didnt, you're a pesky hitter and hope that this was a good experience for you. Please sign this paper for your release..."

I signed the paper thanked the coaches and that was it. This happened two days ago and I am here still with questions wondering why would you cut someone after this especially with no explanation. Is it okay to message the coach asking why and stating my case? Or should I just let it be.

I think you probably were an emergency backup for the other guy and the other guy played well enough.

That sucks but it does happen, the coach probably just wanted a backup option in case the the other guy gets hurt or totally sucks and when he didn't you weren't really needed anymore.

So really it wasn't a "fair chance", the other guy didn't need to prove he is better than you, he just needed to prove he can stay healthy and hit somewhat decently, but that is how the game is, at least you did get an opportunity to play.

Hey KT,

How old are you now?  If things are still as they were, the Frontier, as compared to other Indy's, tends to focus on younger players with a bit more emphasis on getting guys into affiliated ball.  If my memory is correct, you've been at this for a while and perhaps starting to get beyond what would be considered a younger player.  Combine that with the fact that speed doesn't project well as we age along with the "pesky" pigeon hole.  These things are likely presenting a bigger and bigger mountain to climb and you really have to step into just the right situation.

I'm totally speculating though.  Obviously, we don't have all the details.

From the Frontier League site:

No player or player/coach may have attained twenty-nine (29) years of age prior to October 1 of that playing season with the exception of the four Veteran classification players as described below.

Veteran Classification: The Veteran classification is for a player who is over twenty-nine (29) years of age prior to October 1 of that playing season.  For the 2023 season, any player born on or before September 30, 1994 will be a Veteran classification regardless of their prior playing experience.

It may have been a numbers game (it always is) in that they could only take 4 players in that classification