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best PRO thread ever, bar none.

GUN had a mentor, drafted out of high school in the 6th round by the Dodgers, a LHP. Passed on a fullride scholly to a BIG X12 team. He and GUN would work out, have a lesson or two during his brief times at home.

Interestingly, the topic of conversation was rarely about MiLB, but when it was discussed, it centered more around "the grind" and less about the glory. There's nothing wrong with "grinding", but for most of us not close to a MiLB player, we are ignorant of the process.

Thanks for the insight. GED10DaD
Last edited by GunEmDown10
In my experience - Smallest crowds in milb... Rookie ball, in AZ and FL.

I've been to Rookie ball games with a handful of people watching. This level is for development, not a lot of fanfare. While it might not be as exciting it's still baseball and the organizational people watching are very important. If a player doesn't love the game, it's not a good spot to be. Then again it has been the beginning level for thousands of Major league players.

Most players are in a short season or full season team the second year. Those assigned to short season teams spend early spring at extended spring training.

Minor League baseball at most places is very popular. Even low A teams like Dayton Ohio draw lots of fans. I think Dayton has sold out every game for several years. Others don't draw so well. Some places in the Florida State League (HIA)have trouble drawing good crowds.

Everyone wants to be in the Big Leagues, but most everyone has to spend a few years in the minor leagues.

College is a great choice. Surely it is the best choice for most players. However, I don't see minor league baseball, even for first year players, as some sort of h*ll hole. There are a million kids who would absolutely love to be there. It really bothers me when people complain about how bad minor league baseball is. It's very much part of the process if you are lucky enough to have the chance. Yes it can be difficult and it's good to know how things work. But for many, college is difficult. Worse yet how about the millions that go straight to work out of high school. It's all difficult!

Of course being a professional baseball player is a job. Sure the odds are against becoming stinkin rich and famous, just like in any other job. Personally I think being a professional baseball player is one of the greatest jobs on earth. Not bad for building the resume either.

IMO people need to understand that if the organization signing you doesn't offer anything worthwhile, they are indirectly telling you they don't believe you're going to make it. Doesn't mean you won't make it big, but lets face it... Why not go to college? Lots of undrafted players end up signing for big bonus out of college. Same for low draft picks. If after three or four years in college they still don't want you... You for sure did the right thing! And if they do want you, again you did the right thing.

That is how I feel about it. However, how I feel or how anyone else feels about it, really doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is how each individual sees it. I only suggest that they don't get caught up in the glamour thought process alone

Should you go pro, should you go to college? Nobody really knows for sure. Either way, any advice you get has a possibility of being the worst advice you ever received. Before all the strictly college first people jump on this, I can give many examples of that choice turning out bad. Lots of kids with no degree and no baseball. Yet I know for "most" college is the best way to go. It's just that what works best for most doesn't always pertain to everyone.

I think there are very good posts on this topic. Very good information starting right at the beginning. Truth is... Any decision can turn out great or it can turn out not so good.

Sorry for all the babbling, just had a little time on my hands.
I can't speak for anyone else, but when often asked about the draft out of HS, I can only relate to what my own player's experiences have been. It has been from a parent's perspective from a prospect in HS that was predicted to get drafted first 10 rounds, with a 90% scholarship to a top D1 program a chance to play in Omaha for a national championship and a promise to play in the cape league. My son's journey included those in his plans.

Everyone has different goals and how to reach them. And a back up plan should be considered if not met, and that should include not making it as a college player, or as a professional. JMO.

Being a pitcher, the decision was made by son to play under a coach that had no record of abusing pitchers as well as a winning one and a record of many drafted players out of college. So keep in mind that much of the decision that HS players make is based upon lots of personal factors.

For son, another one being that it was also about the money and he wasn't going to get enough to keep him away from going to play college ball.

Ryan Tatusko has a blog and I suggest that those who are faced with this very important decision read it, as this is based not upon a parent's perspective, or anyone else's, but the player who has to live through it and grind it out everyday. In his recent blog he makes a statement that is so true, about "having tools in HS that were once considered "very good" and are now just average or slightly above". Is your star player able to handle just being average? I think that is what destroys many in this game, those that aren't used to grinding it out, either learn to quickly or can't adjust. That is why many players are released.

Again, I brought myself into the discussion because of the original poster's comments about parents and players having issues with the struggle in HS to establish themselves (based upon another topic posted somewhere else). If that is difficult for many folks and players to figure out, imagine how difficult it must be at the pro level. The theme of this post, is not which decision (college or pro) is the best, but educating yourself about what it is all about and the expectations for each choice.

At 18, after much discussion and consideration, the decision to attend college was the best for son, but not necessarily would be for others.
Last edited by TPM
TPM,

That was an excellent post. The more people know the better decision they can make. In you and your sons case you made some great decisions.

There are no good or bad decisions when it comes to this stuff, just good or bad results. If only we knew what those results were going to be.

I might be crazy, but I don't believe much in the odds based on what others have done. Some individuals think there odds are 100%. Anyone who thinks their odds are 5%, they definitely should go to college.

Here's what I think... If someone signs a pro contract, they should be congratulated. If someone decides to go to college, they should be congratulated.
Last edited by PGStaff
quote:
Originally posted by jerseydad:
quote:
Originally posted by PGStaff:

Here's what I think... If someone signs a pro contract, they should be congratulated. If someone decides to go to college, they should be congratulated.


And there is the golden nugget we should all take from this...


Absolutely!
I have heard some people say what an honor it is to be drafted.

IMHO, going to play at the school of your choice and getting your education paid for by playing baseball (or by academic $$), going to class 16-18 hours a week is just as honorable. Smile
Last edited by TPM
quote:
Originally posted by njbb:
FYI Between 3/20 and 3/26 277 players were released.

I'm sure at the start of spring training each of them had high hopes of this being their year.

Since they draft 1500 each year, I am guessing they need to lose about 1500 each year whether that be due to injury, retirement, or being cut.
quote:
Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
quote:
Originally posted by njbb:
FYI Between 3/20 and 3/26 277 players were released.

I'm sure at the start of spring training each of them had high hopes of this being their year.

Since they draft 1500 each year, I am guessing they need to lose about 1500 each year whether that be due to injury, retirement, or being cut.


The good news is not everybody signs, and a few dozen spend time on MLB rosters.... Smile
.
quote:
Originally posted by PGStaff:
...I don't see minor league baseball, even for first year players, as some sort of h*ll hole. There are a million kids who would absolutely love to be there. It really bothers me when people complain about how bad minor league baseball is. It's very much part of the process if you are lucky enough to have the chance. Yes it can be difficult and it's good to know how things work. But for many, college is difficult. Worse yet how about the millions that go straight to work out of high school. It's all difficult!"

Of course being a professional baseball player is a job. Sure the odds are against becoming stinkin rich and famous, just like in any other job. Personally I think being a professional baseball player is one of the greatest jobs on earth. Not bad for building the resume either.


Yep.

Cool
I don't think its the grind, living conditions or the money that is hard on young players. I think its the isolation from family and friends.
Things are better now with cell phones and lap tops etc. But its a long season maybe the first time away from home, missing birthdays, holidays,weddings graduations, births. Playing a game when some one you love got bad news or is very sick can make them wonder if its- worth it
I was told a lot of player related to this song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...jos0&feature=related
Last edited by njbb
quote:
Originally posted by njbb:
I don't think its the grind, living conditions or the money that is hard on young players. I think its the isolation from family and friends.
Things are better now with cell phones and lap tops etc. But its a long season maybe the first time away from home, missing birthdays, holidays,weddings graduations, births. Playing a game when some one you love got bad news or is very sick can make them wonder if its- worth it
I was told a lot of player related to this song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...jos0&feature=related


I know an MLB player who rose steadily in the system since the 2007 draft. He spent just three years in minor leagues and feels very blessed at this point in his life. He said he questioned his decision a few times early on and remembers riding a Pioneer rookie league bus somewhere in Wyoming, asking himself at 3AM "What have I done?"
Last edited by Dad04

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