True Purpose of Minor League Baseball

I think that's a pretty cynical point of view, but it is a fair question to put out there. I'm sure there will be some interesting responses.

I think they want the best players they can find out there. Some MLB has greater expectations of than others, some will suprise. That to me is the only reason that a signing bonus is important. The higher the bonus the more opportunity to succeed. The lower the bonus, you don't perform right away and its "NEXT", and your slot is filled with the next HS, NCAA, or JUCO prospect just drafted.

Not cynical; realistic.

It's a flitering system. There are many aspects to the game to be investigated at each level. If scouting and drafting were perfect, every first rounder would have a career and MiLB wouldn't need five levels.

It also affords more communities their own pro ball teams.

I think Mike Piazza (1390th pick in the 1988 draft) will be thankful they drafted him to "fill" a team.

I am a fan, but not a real big follower of Albert Pujols, but wasn't he a late rounder too?? I think there are other reasons, besides player development, especially at the AAA level. That's a big money maker for the clubs, and the fans want the players there, just like a mini "Big" club. There's money to be made marketing MiLB players are those levels too.

But, that's OK, because I get a chance to see many, many games. The best summer of baseball I ever had, the summer of 2000 when I was at the FBI Academy, I saw the Prince William Cannons play all of their home games! If was alot of fun! GED10DaD

AP went in the 13th round.

Big differnece between First Day and Second Day guys.

Orlando,

I agree with what your assessment of MiLB. Of course it is a filtering system. So is minor league hockey, collegege football, and college basketball. But I don't think that is exactly what the OP was asking.

IMO, he was basically asking if MiLB was just there to breed the "sure-fire" prospects, and the majority of the players were just "bodies" necessary to accomplish that.

As I said, I think that is rather cynical, but it is a fair question.

quote:

Originally posted by getagoodpitchtohit:
I think that's a pretty cynical point of view, but it is a fair question to put out there. I'm sure there will be some interesting responses.

I agree with Orlando, not cynical, but reality. The purposes I see, give the prospects a place to play and develop, develop players that are not considered prospects (and find a gem within) and to offer the game at a more affordable level and make money.

AAA is a holding team for players that must move up and down during season, and for those MLB prospects that are not quite ready to play at the MLB level.

I feel that for the most part the minors do serve as a developement process for the "top" prospects but that there is a secondary developemental reward for clubs as late developers, guys who the light comes on suddenly, guys who respond to more advanced teaching or competition, the strongest mental survivors and just flat out surprises sometimes make it at least as cup of coffee guys or backups. A few low draft choices like Piazza and others go on to be stars. Likesomeone said, you are expendable if you're a fringe guy and get off slow or get injured early in your career.

quote:

IMO, he was basically asking if MiLB was just there to breed the "sure-fire" prospects, and the majority of the players were just "bodies" necessary to accomplish that.

Exactly.
All drafted players are obviously very good ball players but most never make it all the way but still serve the game by providing a test to the true up-and-comers. Players have to play to get better.

For sure some big league players come out of
nowhere and some sure fire prospects never pan out.

But surely organizations are drafting many to fill spots because there are so many spots that need to be filled for the system to produce the cream.

fodder:
A consumable, often inferior item or resource that is in demand and usually abundant supply:

cball,
Then I read your OP correct. I do think that is a cynical view, but a good question to ask.

I agree with Orlando and TPM.
IMO, they pretty much describe the realities and function of MiLB.

cball,
organizations don't need to "draft" to fill those spots, if they don't feel the need. They now find plenty of players in Latin Countries, Asia, Australia and now even in Europe.
Here are my views on Milb:
First, it is great entertainment and a wonderful ambassador for baseball. Milb franchises can be a good business investment.
The teams provide some wonderful community pride throughout the US. The Milb players symbolize to every 8-14 year old the "dream" they adopt for themselves. One can see a bit of "Rockwell" with some 8 year old holding the ball and pen in his hand and asking for that autograph.
While there surely are organizational/filler players taken in the draft, most organizations will provide an opportunity to play and prove you belong. Not all organizations do this, but most surely do(some just make their decisions quicker on what the player has proven.)
In my view, if this was all about the top picks, there would be far more of them in MLB. Milb is a process of attrition, to an extent. But it is also a process of getting better, every day. Many top picks peak. Many others don't.
If scouts do their jobs, the more top picks should prove they have a higher peak.
From what I have seen, the real purpose is to get the best players to MLB, to provide a broad source of exposure baseball throughout the Country, and, finally, to let 8 year olds see players living the "dream" so that "dream" does continue.

geta, that's essentially the same thing.

Different aspects are addressed at each level. Each level could prove a Prospect someone who will play ML or not. Prospects are given more chances to fail than lower round (Second Day) or NDFAs. Guys are signed who the organization does not expect to make a ML player in order to round out the rosters. Sommetimes diamonds are mined, but I wouldn't bet the house on it. (Piazza was something more than a low-round guy. He was Lasorda's godson, as I was saying to Chris Duncan only the other day )

And in the process, as infielddad said, there is baseball in more communities, the owners of those teams have a nice business, jobs are created locally, and the team provides a community focal point.

Good wrap up on the subject Orlando.

Chris Duncan-big, strong son-of-a-gun, bit of an odd swing.

It's a filtering out process that begins from little league. Realistically, most minor leaguers dream of playing MLB is a pipe dream. Players get weeded out at all levels. Difference is some go further than others and it will end for most at some point before their dream of reaching the majors. There's only about 750 spots on a major league roster so there's a lot of players out there with no real shot.

That's the reality.

I look at it this way. Your never going to make it to the show unless you play at the minor league level. So as long as your playing you got a shot. And if you never play at the minor league level you have no shot. So no matter how long the odds might be having any chance is always better than having no chance.

Of course its a filtering out process. But it also is a filtering in process as well. As the old saying goes , it is what it is.

The main purpose of milb...is to make a profit...most minor league clubs are not owned by the MLB team. They are contracted affiliates of the MLB club, but the milb club is usually independent owned....

I grew up in a few minor league towns and to the people from those towns, MiLB is baseball....

I grew up in Durham NC. When I was a kid the minor league team was the Triangle Phillies. They played at Durham Athletic Park the original home of the Durham Bulls. In 1980 the Durham Bulls returned with affiliation with Atlanta. As a kid I got to see so many future major league stars playing in the Carolina League. Then in the 80's with the Bulls most of the future stars on those great Atlanta team came through Durham on their way up through the minors. It was awesome. When the movie Bull Durham was filmed at the DAP "Durham Athletic Park" I worked security for the movie set everyday I was off from my job as a Durham Police Officer. Many of my friends were extras in the stands during the filming of the movie. It was an awesome experience.

piaa_ump to me it is as well. I have been to just about every minor league park in NC and there are many. Many of the old parks have been restored and high school teams and local teams play in them. North Carolina Central University a historical black college moved to D1 in baseball a couple of years ago. The old DAP has been restored and they will be using it as their home park. I remember going to a school in Gastonia NC. Just across the street from the Motel I was staying in was the home of the Gastonia Rangers. Many of these teams like the Kinston Indians etc are in small rural towns. It is simply a wonderful baseball experience to go and take in these games. The old timers at these games are awesome to sit with and talk baseball with.

These guys might not ever make it to the major leagues but to the area kids and folks it is the show to them.

Well, lets see if I can relate this.

My son is not a Luke Bailey or Max Stassi. He was not an early invite to the 2008 PG Nationals held at the Metrodome. As a matter of fact he was quite a late invite.... About 7 days before Minneapolis out of the Sunshine West.

But, when we got to Minneapolis and checked in my son realized (before me I might add) that he got the same hat that Luke and Max got and that he was getting the same opportunity. (And, was going to try to make the most of it.)

That moment he forgot about his "ranking" and thought about how it was an unbelievable opportunity.

I think the MiLB is the same kind of thing. 1st or 1500, you get the same hat. If you choose to go, make the most of it.

quote:

I think the MiLB is the same kind of thing. 1st or 1500, you get the same hat. If you choose to go, make the most of it.

playfair,
Please do not make that mistake. Please do not let your son make that assumption. It makes a huge difference coming out of high school whether your son is #1 or #1500. It makes a huge difference whether he is #2 or #200.
For high school players potentially heading into the draft and Milb, these factors along with your son's maturity, the organization drafting him, luck,health, coaches and other intangibles can make the difference between being in baseball when you are 22 or out of baseball and starting over.
Please do a lot more research.

Infielddad, of course you are right. I was trying to make a point about opportunities.

Now my son is a good student, he has additional opportunities.

Some kids have to go on whatever opportunites they have and make the most of it. Whatever the situation you are in you make the most of it.

Parents means, luck, health, coaching, maturity, it all factors in..... but whatever the personal situation is YOU MAKE THE MOST OF WHERE EVER YOU ARE WHEN YOU ARE THERE.

quote:

Originally posted by cball:
Is MiLB realy there mainly as a vehicle to get the real MLB prospects a place to play and most players drafted just to fill teams for these prospects to have a place to play and refine their skills under the tutuledge of the MLB organizations?

Everyone knows that only a few will get the call but the system requires a lot of "bodies" to fill out all the rosters.

When I was a kid I asked a scout why there were sixty rounds to the draft. He told me it's mostly so the prospects have teammates. But he added, they (scouts) also make mistakes in their evaluations.

As an adult who not only has watched my son and other kids develop, I would add there are the late physical bloomers. I know of a 6'1" 23 year old minor leaguer with an 89mph fastball and great command, who was a 18 year old 5'10" puss thrower coming out of high school.

quote:

who was a 18 year old 5'10" puss thrower coming out of high school

That's funny

This is interesting, a pitcher in the FL State League, non drafted, signed as a FA, about 155 pounds and 5'7 or 5'8" (but throwing hard) getting them out. He's succeeding, guess he fooled those who did not look at him as a prospect.
You never know. He is making the most of his opportunity, that gets you noticed everytime. He also most likely is now a prospect more than a non prospect.

For many teams, most are treated as future prospects, each has a chance to develop. But you need practice to develop, the #2 pick gets more gametime than the #200 pick. The guy who gets more bonus money (regardless of pick) gets more opportunities, more attention. You don't get better sitting on a bench, the same idea for college applies to the pro level.

For HS players considering the draft, money and team should be a consideration. Sometimes college gives you a better opportunity to mature, play more, for hitters their at bats, for pitching maybe better instruction (yes there are lots of really great college pitching coaches out there).

In general, I do feel that most teams have made significant improvements in developing players. This becomes a personal decision.