AboutTom O`Leary Expertise I am am best suited to answer questions regarding minor league baseball prospects.
Experience 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 twelve 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 twelve years i have realized that i do fulfill most most questioners satisfactorily which keeps me doing this.
Question My 18 year old son just graduated and played varsity baseball for 2 years at a new high school. He was not given any help to try to go to college for baseball. I was told he was good enough. I made mistakes with him but now I have a 13 year old son that has twice the talient and I want to make sure he is seen and goes places with his skill of baseball. The high school we are at there is no hope from the coach. I am willing to drive him to a different high school if it will help. How do I prepair and what do I need to do to get him seen. I can not depend on the coach or his newspaper write ups because this year we had a great team and he did nothing but bash them " to get into thier heads " Please help
Answer Heidi,
i think i understand what you want. I'm not going to tell you to move your son to another high school; that's your decision. but proper coaching can go a long way. you also may want to look into having your son play in a league in the summer. also, if there's a local college, go and speak with their baseball coach he may be able to better direct you than i. good luck.
