What Do You Miss Before 8/16?

The normal progression for an average player is usually rookie ball, low A, waivers.

quote:

Originally posted by CPLZ:
The normal progression for an average player is usually rookie ball, low A, waivers.

As of late, rookie ball is heavily populated by high school draftees and young first year players from other countries, mostly South American and Carribean countries.

Teams provide translation services and class work on English and social skills and work to protect those immature players that need protecting their first professional season.

Short season A receives many first time college draftees as well as rookie league vets and a handful of high school draftees.

When players sign in August they usually get assigned to fall instruction ball to catch up.

quote:

Originally posted by CPLZ:
The normal progression for an average player is usually rookie ball, low A, waivers.

Funny you should mention this. I once asked a scout why there are sixty (now fifty) rounds to the draft. He said the prospects need teammates at the low levels.

We went to watch Wilmington play today. They're High A ball for the Royals. Of the twenty-four players in the program seventeen were taken in the first twenty rounds. Of the other seven, four were Carribean players not subject to the draft. Only three on the team were selected in rounds 21-50.

biggerpapi,
Some of the things a player might miss depends on his draft spot.
Some(those drafted high and with $$$$ investments) don't really miss too much in terms of their place in the organization..
For those picked even after the 10th round and especially after the 20th round or so, they miss the ability to prove they can play and that they belong.
Most who have been there know that team assignments for the following April, for most players, are made based on the prior year's performance. That is not as true for higher picks where more money is invested. For the rest of the picks, what they do and how they play/perform in short season can prove a lot and can prove they need to be on a team come April of the following year. Very, very few "earn" a roster spot in ST.
Players also learn what it takes to play everyday, for nearly 75 straight days with travel, heat, humidity, night games, less than ideal living, etc. They learn what it means when to hear "control only what you can." They learn you can go 0-20 or 15-20 and not too get too high or too low because of the number of games.
They also learn what they need to do to improve their game and can make some personal decisions whether they want that challenge or want to move on from baseball.
bbscout used to post that position players need upwards of 2,000 minor league AB's to be ready for the challenge of MLB pitching. If players are not signed, they are missing upwards of 300 of those.
These are a few thoughts trying to address your questions.

Great info...thanks!