Minor League Baseball/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am am best suited to answer questions regarding minor league baseball prospects.

Experience in the area

Originally, i started doing this because I became engrossed researching prospects for a fantasy league. Back then all I really wanted to do was answer questions about baseball prospects. Funny how time flies but eleven years later I have been asked questions regarding the negro leagues, what minor leaguers get paid, why players don't rub their injury when they get hurt, and how players can tryout for the minor leagues to name only a few. I was recently in correspondence with a father of a marine who lost several fingers while in Iraq; he was later drafted by the Padres and is playing in their minor league system. Additionally, i get a lot of questions from guys asking me if i think they can be successful at these tryouts or if they should tryout at all. I do my best to answer every one's question without overstepping my bounds of knowledge. *sometimes i have to tell people that I just can't answer their question.* And sometimes I have to tell people that they just aren't good enough to be a professional ball player.* Most recently i have received two negative feedbacks from people who didn't like my response. one 30 year old guy who hadn't played since he was a teenager asked me if he really had a shot at making the tryouts. realistically, i said no. i guess he didn't appreciate my bluntness but what would you have wanted me to say? I am not really an 'expert' in anything. I just answer people's inquires, give some conservative advise or tell them 'I don't know.' After eleven years I have realized that i do fulfill most most questioners satisfactorily which keeps me doing this.

Education/Credentials

What do you like about this subject?

everything

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I hope to continue to improve on scouting talent through in depth research. What makes a minor leaguer into a super star. how to separate them from "can't miss prospects" who turn out to be overrated.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

TRYOUTS conducted by MLB are FREE and you only need to be 15 years old and a citizen of the USA. Below is the link to last year's tryout schedule throughout the country. It's updated beginning in late winter through the spring. ***** http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/tryout_club.jsp *****

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Every one wants to know how to tryout for the majors or for a minor league club. see above *****