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 Talking with a farm hand in campFormer San Jose Giant and hopefull Fresno Grizzly Paul Oseguera shares what it's like to be at minor league spring trainingThursday, March 18, 2010 If you follow spring training, you hear it all the time. A player has been cut from the team's camp and reassigned to the minor league camp. Yet, for the majority of professional baseball players signed with a big league organization, minor league camp is THE spring training camp, and for the 150 or so players reporting every year, it can be both a stressful and rewarding experience. In many ways, being at a minor league spring training camp is like the day to day rigors of playing in the minor league system during the regular season, according to Paul Oseguera, a left handed pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization who is currently at the Giants minor league spring training camp in Scottsdale, Arizona. I talked with Oseguera earlier this week about his experience and the day to day activities at camp. A 2006 16th round draft pick who has been as high a Double-A, Oseguera is in his fourth spring training. He says that training can be tiring, but that it beats the alternative, in an office face to face with the news that your playing career with that team is over. Most minor league facilities are located separate from, but near their Major League team's spring home. While the big league teams report in mid-February, minor league players report the first week of March. Many players report earlier, however, in the hopes of getting in some extra work. Early attendance can be especially true of pitchers who, unlike their Major League counterparts, are not required to report earlier than position players. The first week or so is made up of stretches, drills on fundamentals, pitching practice or batting practice, and weight lifting or conditioning to finish out the day. Days start around 10:00 a.m., although a few players meet their coaches earlier than that to work on certain elements of their game. Games start in the second week of camp, beginning with a week of intra-squad games after a morning practice. Finally, teams spend just under two weeks playing against other minor league teams on a daily basis. No fans to speak of, just the games. In many ways, being at a minor league spring training camp is like the day to day rigors of playing in the minor league system during the regular season, according to Paul Oseguera, a left handed pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization who is currently at the Giants minor league spring training camp in Scottsdale, Arizona. Oseguera, a 2006 16th round draft pick who has been as high a Double-A, is in his fourth spring training. He says that training can be tiring, but that it beats the alternative, in an office face to face with the news that your playing career with that team is over. Of course, the constant threat of being sent packing is on everyone's mind. With only a 100 positions open for teams that start their season in April (i.e., 25 roster spots on each a Single-A, Single-A Advanced, Double-A, and Triple-A team), and players dropping down from the big league camp throughout spring training, most players have very little idea where they'll start the season, or if they will even make it through the camp. Players are divided into groups, with Group 1 being those players with the best shot at the Triple-A squad, Group 2 being the group targeted for Double-A, etc. There's a lot of movement between the groups, however, and even those players in Group 1 may be cut if a club decides that they simply do not fit into their organization any longer. Cutting players good enough to play in the minors but unlikely to ever play for that club in the Major Leagues can be especially true for organizations like the Giants who have adopted a philosophy of developing home grown talent over filling a Major League roster with free agents. The economy of mid to smaller markets has made this a realty for many teams who can save themselves millions by promoting from within their system. Being placed in Group 1 (which is where Oseguera was at the time of our interview) in no way guarantees a season in Triple-A or even a place on any of the rosters. For many, being cut from the team represents the end of their professional careers. The players within their own group are the ones most will get to know the best during spring. Players can't help but gossip about the which players may be leaving, and most players learn of another players exit by word of mouth. It is not uncommon, however, for players to spot one of their former teammates with bags packed headed for the exit. "Those are the moments it hits you the situation you are in," says Oseguera. With a limited number of spots, and players constantly looking to advance their careers, competition between players is natural. But then again, so is camaraderie. Perhaps its a history of working together with other players as a team, or just the idea of knowing what everyone is going through, but players are in it together and often pulling for one another to succeed according to Oseguera. Just because a player is not selected for one of the 100 minor league roster spots doesn't necessarily mean he will be let go. Many experience extended spring training, or what it is commonly called Purgatory in the industry. This is where a player continues to stay at the minor league complex until a spot opens at one of the lower levels through trade, injury, or if a player is let go. Often times, however, players will stay in training until June, at which time they are assigned to one of the short season squads (rookie league or Single-A short season). These leagues have a shorter season to accommodate new players drafted in the June draft. The amateur draft is held in June because most draftees are in school and playing for their high school or college during the spring. As far as Oseguera, where does he hope to spend the 2010 season? "I just want to break camp," he says, another way of saying he wants to be with a team and not stuck in Purgatory. Of course, having had success at Single-A Advanced and getting a taste of Double-A makes Oseguera hope for advancement, but he would be happy to be playing meaningful games in April. "I'd like to think [I'll be with a team in April], but there are so many variables. There are many things that can happen. There's always the possibility of an injury. Each level has so many people coming through," continues Oseguera. "You're pulling for each other, but there's competition and the competition is real." We will be posting an update once the season begins on Oseguera final destination to start the season. Reader FeedbackPost a CommentFeedback Rules:
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