Monday July 14, I attend a rare afternoon game with the local College Summer League game in Healdsburg, California.
There were 12 pro scouts all friends from my Area Code Games.
My question was is this an Area Code alumni meeting? No, Bob we are waiting for the 9th inning.
9th inning and every gun is "turned on" for the relief pitcher.
This is the story for a book. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/s...hurler-taking-99-mph
Baseball teaches life, if we allow it.
Bob
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Heard about this young man's good fortunate on my way to work this morning. Only the report said he was throwing 100 mph.
Saw one report he had 8.? ERA in college. Interesting to see what will happen
imo he should play football.
That's a cool story ! Thanks for posting.
Good story for those who argue velocity is not important!
Good story Bob, TY.
An interesting part of this is that as a 24 year old flyer he was undrafted and his offer went from $50k to $250k in very short order. That is roughly 6th round slot money in the draft.
What would the 18-21 year old pitchers command if they were not shackled by the CBA?
Business of baseball.
We saw the guy pitch earlier this summer. Under cruddy public park lights, I could barely follow the ball from his hand to the plate . It was a barely a blur.
Goes to show you how important finding the right coaching can be sometimes. And kind of too bad that the story seems to prove that being 6' 7" and very, very athletic is more important than determination, dedication, drive, etc.
We saw the guy pitch earlier this summer. Under cruddy public park lights, I could barely follow the ball from his hand to the plate . It was a barely a blur.
Goes to show you how important finding the right coaching can be sometimes. And kind of too bad that the story seems to prove that being 6' 7" and very, very athletic is more important than determination, dedication, drive, etc.
JCG - When has that not been the case? Size, Strength and athletic ability have always been a cut line. A good big man beats a great small man is a truism from boxing that has always been true.
I think baseball is a funny sport where the grinder is held is much higher regard than the truly gifted when compared to football and basketball. We love that scrappy little left hand hitting 2nd baseman with the eye black that wears pitches, runs everything out, screams out how many outs there are and is a "gamer". Then a scout or college coach shows up and is focused on the big power hitting 3B that is standing across the infield from him.
We also love the stories when some of those guys grinds their way up through the food chain but it is better to have the gifts that only god can give to start with.
Nuke Laloosh or Crash Davis. Nuke wins every time.
And kind of too bad that the story seems to prove that being 6' 7" and very, very athletic is more important than determination, dedication, drive, etc.
I know you probably didn't mean this in your comment, but insinuating that the genetically fortunate, naturally talented players have less determination, dedication, and drive than others is painting with a pretty broad (and usually inaccurate) brush.
I had a conversation with a former MLBer recently and asked him who was the most naturally gifted hitter he had ever seen and/or played with. He told me Manny Ramirez, and it wasn't even close. I think the response was "that guy could dominate big league pitching in his sleep." I asked him about the reputation that Manny had and if he was lazy like some people in the media said and he laughed. He told me no one worked harder to be a more complete hitter than Manny did. He worked tirelessly to be the best he could be.
It's just an anecdote, but I think it's a good example of what I'm trying to say. Implying that a talented player doesn't work hard just because he's talented is wrong.
JH,
No I don't mean to imply that at all. I was just commenting wryly on the fact that this particular player, if the press reports are accurate, did not come at the game of baseball with the grinder, Daniel Nava, Crash Davis sort of mentality that Luv Baseball alluded to. In fact, he gave up baseball more than once, and despite his natural gifts, has had limited success up to now. Now that doesn't mean he's not a hard worker or that there is anything wrong with his character. Maybe he's a late developer; maybe his passion has been directed elsewhere up to now. But I do think it's safe to say that there are a whole lot of vertically challenged players who have worked much harder for much longer and yet who have never and will never sign a $250,000 contract to play baseball.
But I do think it's safe to say that there are a whole lot of vertically challenged players who have worked much harder for much longer and yet who have never and will never sign a $250,000 contract to play baseball.
How do you know that there are players who have worked harder than him, do you know exactly what the situation was as to why he wasnt as involved as you feel he should be? Was he hurt, did he have to work, obviously other sports were important, or maybe no one ever took the time to help him with issues until now, is there something wrong with that? How do you know his mentality?
I personally am very sick and tired and find offense to the negative comments made about those guys that throw hard, athletic and well over 6ft, etc. Most of them work and grind away just as hard as those not as gifted. The bottom line is that this is a very good example of what is attractive to scouts and why he got paid $250,000 to sign.
Yes, size matters and yes so do triple digits (very much).
from my reading, it sounds like he has worked pretty hard to be the athlete he is. Doesnt drink or smoke or watch TV. How many 24 yr olds you know like that? He may not have been working for years to become a baseball player but it sounds like he was working hard and staying in shape to play sports. He was also very fortunate to find coaches who saw that ability in him and helped him for the last 6 months to get to this point.
