Interview Highlights From This Year’s Prospect Pad In Miami.
Forty-four of the 50 Futures Game participants stopped by the Baseball America Prospect Pad, which was held the day before the game. BA editors Ben Badler, J.J. Cooper, Kyle Glaser and John Manuel chatted with many of them. We present some of the most interesting responses here. View the Prospect Pad videos here: http://bba.am/aBM1DN
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR., (via a translator): “He has a lot of memories of being around his father in the clubhouse, but the one that stands out the most was his dad’s final game in Montreal. When his dad went to the outfield to take the field, Andres Galarraga sent him behind his dad. There was a loud ovation and his father thought it was for him, but in fact it was for Junior because he was running behind him out to the field. And his dad raised his cap and junior raised his.”
LEWIS BRINSON, on the moment he was told he got promoted to the major leagues: “I was actually taking a nap . . . I got a phone call from Rick Sweet, our Triple-A manager, and he . . . didn’t beat around the bush. He told me, ‘Pack your bags. You’re going to the big leagues.’ And I thought it was a joke. It’s already hard to breathe in Colorado Springs, being (6,000) feet above sea level, but I couldn’t breathe for a second . . . I took like five seconds to myself to catch my breath, called my mom immediately, and we had a nice emotional time. That’s a dream come true. My mom—single mom growing up, my dad passed away when I was 11, so she’s had to raise me up through the rankings, and I had to grow up real fast—and it was really emotional talking to her. She was screaming. I was crying. She was crying. It was a very special moment for me and her. “
This story is from the August 04 2017 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 04 2017 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.
ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS
For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS
No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.
NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM
The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors
INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever
HIGH-FLYING BIRDS
Learning from past success and failure in Houston, Mike Elias and his united front office remade the Orioles into winners— and they got there ahead of schedule
ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Early promotions of star prospects led to a bit of a down season for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Even before the Rookie-level Florida Complex League season began, scouts who saw extended spring training gushed over the Yankees' talent, starting with shortstop Roderick Arias and 6-foot7 pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange. Outfielder John Cruz mashed 10 home runs as a 17-year-old.
SALAS COULD BE SPECIAL
When Ethan Salas arrived in the California League on May 30, he immediately displayed talent well beyond his years.