It's MLB Draft Day and players with big league dreams are officially watching the clock. Every guy who hears his name called tonight by a major league team, will remember this day as uniquely their own. Some will be disappointed, others are anticipating​ an early call & a big bonus. There's so much that goes on these few days, and yet it's interesting to look back and see what this day was like for guys who are now playing professionally and know exactly what the bus leagues are like. They don't forget this day in their own lives though, so I asked a couple of players to reflect on the start of pro baseball life.
In Todd Van Steensel's case, he came into pro ball another way. I wanted to show the other side of the draft & that unique experience.
For Mac James, that day contained some surprises.
Here they are, in their own words:
Todd Van Steensel, RP
Minnesota Twins
Signed: Philadelphia Phillies, 2009; Twins 2013
I was at an U18 National Tournament and a few days shy of my 17th birthday. I was throwing pretty well at this tournament and caught the eye of a few scouts. I didn't have any contact with the scouts, they were negotiating through my parents. My parents wanted me to focus on baseball and not worry about anything else so they took control of it the best they could. After my last appearance in the semi-final game of the tournament, my dad asked me about a few teams I'd like to play for. I said it didn't bother me, and I'd trust their decision.
My team went on to the grand final which we eventually lost, and after the game I walked out of the clubhouse and met my dad, who came up to me and shook my hand and said, "You're now a professional baseball player."
It took a few moments to realise it wasn't a joke and it was real. So after the disappointment of losing a national title, I was met with the news one of my dreams had been achieved, so it was a roller coaster night for me.
Then two days after my 17th birthday I signed my first pro contract with the Philadelphia Phillies
Mac James, C/DH
Tampa Bay Rays
Drafted: 2014, 6th Rd by TB
I had just flown to Minnesota from Seattle, after a workout to go back to summer ball for college in the North Woods League. I was sitting in the basement of my host families house with my two roommates Keach Ballard and Corey Copping. We were watching the draft tracker and some baseball on TV as I got a call from the Rays. It was one of the more nerve racking and exciting days of my life.
Actually I was expecting the Cubs or another NL team. I hadn't talked to the Rays scout at all throughout the year. I met my scout, JD Elliby, at a Starbucks in Norman Oklahoma after I flew back to get my car and some clothes, and signed my contract there!
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