My First Spring Training: WEEK 1
I reported to Phillies Minor League Camp just over a week ago. Here's how it's going:
Monday, February 16th. I pull into the player’s parking lot at the Phillies Minor League Complex. It was only my second time here, the first being when I flew down to sign my contract.
But that was ceremonial. This is the real thing.
I walk through the complex towards the clubhouse, overwhelmed by a combination of excitement, anticipation, and nerves (the good kind). I looked around all of the perfectly-kept fields while soaking in the Florida sun.
I was finally living out my dream in real time.
Now that I’ve had a week to settle in, I’ll tell you what it’s like being a minor league baseball player for the Phillies.
Below I’ll get into:
Some initial thoughts/impressions from my first week
What the day-to-day training/work looks like
My Initial Thoughts:
Overwhelming Sense Of Gratitude:
Not trying to get overly sentimental or corny, but I genuinely feel a sense of gratitude every time I step into the clubhouse each morning. This is the opportunity I dreamed of, and made many sacrifices to get. Even though this is my new ‘normal’ I do not take it for granted. It is very easy to work as hard as you can when you feel this way.
It’s Still The Same Game:
With Phillies logos everywhere and Big League Stars practicing on the field next to you, everything feels so much more ‘grand’ and ‘spectacular.’ But really it’s still the same old game of baseball that you fell in love with as a kid. You do the same motions, the same training, just in a much cooler place. This makes it much easier to settle in as a new guy, since there’s familiarity in the routine.
Hard Work Isn’t A Separator:
At this level everyone was that guy at some point. Everyone trains, works hard, and has a hunger to climb the ladder. It becomes increasingly difficult to just ‘out work’ people, especially as a pitcher where you can only throw so much. It really comes down to two things:
Focusing on the right things
Showing up when it really matters
Right Where I Belong:
I trained with a lot of pros this offseason, and one thing many of them told me was to always remember that I belong right where I’m at. ‘Don’t let imposter syndrome get a hold of you,’ they’d say. After a strong first week, I really do feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. I know it’s only one week, but when you remember that you were blessed with this opportunity because other people saw the potential in YOU, it’s hard to not be confident.
Like I’ve said before too: be your own biggest advocate.
Typical Spring Training Schedule:
Breakfast
Meetings
Stretch/Prep Work On Your Own
Group Warm Up
Throwing For The Day
Bullpens/Live/Scrimmage (2 Days a Week)
Defense
Lifting/Conditioning
Lunch
Obviously there’s a ton that goes into each segment that I won’t get into, but the schedule itself is pretty simple. If you currently play or have played baseball at any competitive level, this is probably what you do already. That’s why I mentioned earlier that even though it’s a totally new environment, a lot of what I’m doing is still very familiar.
Everything is entirely on you at this level. It’s up to you whether you show up and decide to work hard. (Spoiler: everyone does)
It’s so much fun. I love it.
Competing with the best.
Doing what I love, and making a living doing it.
That’s why I thank God for this opportunity every day.
More to come, stay tuned.
Onward & Upward
- MT