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Minor League Baseball/Tryouts in 2010

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Expert: Tom O`Leary - 9/11/2009


Question
Tom,
 I am a freshman in college considering going to the try outs in 2010. I haven't played organized baseball since before high school but i still pitch alot. I have a fastball, 2 seam fastball, curveball, developing a slider, and a knuckleball. Do you think there is a good possibilty of being signed a deal if I am on top of my game on tryout day?

Thank you,
Ryan

Answer
Ryan,

I'm sorry but im not a scout. that is way out of the realm of my expertise. and if you wrote to a scout he wold never comment on a self-description of your skills. i would suggest you join a baseball club or team so you can get a better idea of where you stand. good luck,

tom

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Tom O`Leary

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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 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.

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