March 13

The last week of the AWL was a blur. Finally beginning to hit the ball like I was able, I squared up pitches and did my best. It just wasn’t my month, and no matter what happened, I couldn’t seem to find a hole. My coach had gone from loving me the first week to not even remembering my name the last. He had stopped talking to me. When I approached him about my feelings and how I have been playing, I hoped he would understand and offer some encouragement. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. I know I have the talent, and anyone with real baseball knowledge can see that. I was hoping that by the end of the league, my coach would see that I work hard, and he would help me find a place to play for the summer. That didn’t happen.

My team’s center fielder and I had grown close, and he told me about the Alpine Cowboys, a team in the Pecos League in Texas.  He had played with them two years before. He thinks I’m a good player, and he thought the coach of the team might be interested. I agreed, of course. He contacted his coach inquiring about a workout for me since I was going to drive through Texas to go back to Georgia.

When the night of the draft announcements came, neither my roommate nor me were picked. I was more surprised that my roommate didn’t get picked, because he was the fastest player in the entire league and a very good hitter. I knew why I didn’t get chosen; I simply underperformed. I have no one to blame by myself. I put too much pressure on the situation and didn’t play like I should have played. When we both got back to the hotel room, we sat in silence for a long time. It’s hard to understand how professional coaches couldn’t see how well we can play. I was going over a million different scenarios in my head about the entire month and how I let so many people down in the process. The next day, my roommate and I couldn’t get out of Yuma fast enough…

March. 12

The past few weeks have been full of traveling. After the final day of AWL, my roommate and I left for Las Vegas and spent two days there. We really needed a break after the past month and the fact that neither of us got drafted out of the camp. I would love to talk more about the trip but you know how it is… what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

After leaving Las Vegas we traveled toward Phoenix. I stopped in to visit a few friends and to meet with a baseball contact to get some help with my situation. It was a nice two days of relaxing and unwinding. I checked out Scottsdale and Tempe, then went out for a night on the town near Arizona State University.

More updates to come.

Scout Day

Tuesday was the MLB scout day, but it seemed like the lack of scout day. There couldn’t have been scouts from more than three teams present. The day quickly turned into a day of evaluation for all of the ball players, coaches and teams participating this month. We ran the 60-yard dash, and I did a 6.9 against the wind, which is a solid run. Afterward, the infielders took ground balls followed by one at-bat against live pitching. I went 1-for-1 with a line drive single hit to left field in a 14 pitch at-bat. I believe I turned some heads, and I did everything I could to show the coaches my skills of the game.

The past two games, my swing has felt much better, and I think it’s almost there. I just wish I could find a hole once in a while.

Feb. 18 & 19

Feb. 18

I think I am finally coming out of my slump. I have gotten support and encouragement from so many people close to me, and I know that whatever happens in the end is the way it should be. I believe God has a plan for me and that I will make it through this experience.

Today at the park, playing was fun again. Lately I have put so much stress on myself that I forgot why we play in the first place; because it’s fun and we love it. Today I went 1-for-3 with a walk. I’ve finally figured out how I need to swing, and it felt like the swing I used to have. I can’t wait to go out and play tomorrow!

Feb. 19

Today was another good day. It’s nice to be excited to play again. No matter the outcome, I’m going to be OK. I went 1-for-2 with an RBI single, a hit-by-pitch, and a bunt. I made all my plays on defense and had an all-around good game. Tomorrow is a much needed day off, and scout day is Tuesday, February 21^st.

Feb. 17

Wednesday was another rough day. I was at my breaking point and felt I could lose it soon if things didn’t change. It was also the eighth game of our 16-game schedule; the halfway point. Baseball is all about “what have you done for me lately,” and I have to remember the words of my father and coach “it’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.”

Wednesday I was in my head too much, yesterday I had a totally different mindset. I was going to swing the bat early and often; I’m here to hit! I have one of the best swings on the team, and it’s time to prove it. Today I played with confidence. My first three at-bats ended in two walks and a hit-by-pitch. My fourth and final at-bat, I swung at the first pitch which was a fastball, and hit a line drive into right field.

Baseball is the hardest, strangest game there is. Sometimes one hit is all it takes to break the slump. All I know is that today I’m going to show these guys what I can do, and I’m going to hit. I came here to get into the majors, and that is exactly what I’m going to do.

Feb. 15

I honestly believe I have the best roommate in the entire league. Last night he dragged me out after I laid in bed all day feeling sorry for myself about the last few games. We had a great Monday night in Yuma, and it helped me get my mind off baseball for a while.

This morning started with batting practice and afterward Jorge, our team manager, told me “Hey man, it’s not about how you start; it’s about how you finish.”