The MLB Draft was held last week. The team I will be the pitching coaching for, the Orem Owlz, season will start June 20th. We play in the Pioneer League which is a short season A level. Considered rookie ball.
About half of our team will be compiled of new players from the draft. This will be their introduction into pro ball. These kids have dreamed of this day for as long as they have played this game.
Pro ball can be a tough adjustment for young men. We will play everyday for two and a half months except for 4-5 days off during that span. Three of those days will probably be travel days where we will spend half the day on a bus. This, playing everyday, can be a huge adjustment for these guys. Playing everyday means a lot of throwing. A lot of running. A lot of thinking about their game. When you play everyday, everything is magnified. A two or three week slump in HS or college might consist of 10ish games. Well if your playing everyday, that slump turns into 15-20 games.
Then there’s the off the field stuff. Many of these kids will be on their own for the first time. How they handle this part of life can also be a big adjustment. Too many times I have seen guys make bad decisions that have ruined their careers. Sad, but it happens every year.
Sorry, kind of got off track there. Please let me continue… I am very excited to welcome these young men into pro ball and will do my best to teach them and mentor them on what it takes, and means, to be a professional baseball player.
Orem, here we come!!
Founder of Baseball Dudes. Blessed with three beautiful children and an amazing wife. Baseball is my life, after my family, and I love sharing what I have learned from it. Thanks for taking the time to view what we offer here at Baseball Dudes.
