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 Hi Tom. Thanks for your time. After four years of college ball, my son is 22, and currently wrapping up an incredible rookie season in a good midwestern indy league. Like all indy players, he aspires to sign with an MLB organization. He's been invited to a tryout by one MLB org in September. Do you have any advice on what he can do in the off season to get signed (other than work to improve, of course)? Also, he's been approached by an agent. Can an agent be a disadvantage at this level? Would an MLB team rather not bother dealing with an agent at such a low level? Or could an agent help with getting him an opportunity with an MLB org? Thanks.
Answer pat,
you asked me several questions. some are really important, relevant and not in my area of expertise. i will give you information only on what I'm comfortable with.
in the off season, he should join a winter league and/or speak with some one with a ML team and ask them. it's not a secret what he should be focusing on so the right person should give you proper advice.
an agent isn't really counterproductive unless of course he's a hard-a** bargainer (a Scott boras type) and becomes a pain in the a** for the teams he's speaking with. further more more, an agent could have contacts that you or your son wouldn't otherwise have.
