Recent actions truly illustrate just how crazy the road to stability in the major leagues can be: On Tuesday, Joey Terdoslavich hit a game-winning home run against the San Diego Padres — his first career homer. Less than 10 hours later, he was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett to clear space for a healed Kelly Johnson.
Braves players took some time before Wednesday’s game to reminisce on the days they were drafted and advise recent MLB draftees on how to survive the tumultuous road to the bigs.
Chris Johnson (2006, 4th round, 129th pick to the Houston Astros, Stetson University)
Describe the day you got drafted:
“I didn’t do much. I was at home with family. Back then — I was drafted in 2006, I believe? And we were just listening to it on the computer. There wasn’t the TV stuff back then, so I was listening on the computer, I was with my family. We had a little get-together, had a bunch of food. It was a pretty good day, it was cool.”
Biggest piece of advice to recent draftees:
“Have fun. Enjoy it. Don’t get too caught up in the ups and downs and the business part of the game. When you’re going to get moved up and when you’re going to the big leagues, things like that. Just go out there and play, and try to get better every day. And if you do that, you’ll end up where you want to be.”
Jim Johnson (2001, 5th round, 143rd pick to the Baltimore Orioles, Union-Endicott HS)
On draft day:
“We were on our way to play. I think it was our first round of the state playoffs. We’d won our section, we were headed down to play some school, I forgot what it was. But we were traveling on a bus, it was a couple-hour drive, and the whole time I was still waiting for a phone call, still waiting for a phone call. I didn’t have a cellphone at the time — this was before everyone had cellphones. My high school coach had a cellphone … and I was waiting — I was supposed to pitch that game. And it was just waiting, waiting, waiting, hoping I would have an answer before (the game) instead of thinking about it while I was on the mound. Right as I was heading in from the bullpen into the dugout, (my coach) had just gotten off the phone and told me I was drafted and by who, and obviously that kind of put me a little at ease. And we ended up going up big and I got taken out of the game. … I only threw a couple innings that game, we won easily. And we ended up going on to win the state tournament that year, but that was a lot of fun. The team was really happy and I think it was maybe a little boost for the team, too. It was a pretty surreal day.”
Biggest piece of advice:
“Don’t make your first paycheck your largest. There’s those kids that are itching for big bonus money, and then you go to the minor leagues and you’re making — well I was making $850 my first month — but whatever it is now, probably like $1,500. But don’t make your first check your biggest.”
Jason Grilli (1997, 1st round, 4th pick to the San Francisco Giants, Seton Hall)
On draft day and advice:
“I had some of the most important people in my life — family, friends — all in my backyard. I kind of knew I was going to get a call, so it was kind of more of a celebration party. But yeah I got drafted out of high school and drafted out of college, and I just kind of knew that I had a chance to continue the dream on. It was a gravel road to get here. I tell anybody that gets drafted, ‘Hang on for the ride.’ It’s not all what you think or make of it. It’s a lot of challenges, but it’s worth every bit, especially if you get here. Just one inning, one at-bat, to know that you’ve made it. Beat out guys that are all vying for the same thing.”
Nick Masset (2000, 8th round, 244th pick to the Texas Rangers, Pinellas Park HS)
On draft day:
“No. 1, just being drafted. Being excited about knowing that I’m going to be a professional. The biggest excitement for me was I’d had Tommy John surgery my senior year of high school, so for me to be able to come back from that and pitch was pretty rewarding.”
Biggest piece of advice:
“Just work hard. Never look back, always train hard and play hard on the field. Listen to what people have to say. Listen more than you talk. Always remember that you’re drafted because you have the talent. You could be drafted in the 50th round, but plenty of guys have been drafted that late and made it to the big leagues so it doesn’t matter how late you’re drafted. You always need to go out and work as hard as you can day in and day out.”
Jace Peterson (2011, 1st round, 58th pick to the San Diego Padres, McNeese State)
On draft day:
“I was with my family. We had a get-together at the house, and when my name was called it was all excitement, everybody was excited. Just fun to kind of get together and have that opportunity to get drafted and play ball at the professional level, so I guess just everything about the whole experience.”
Biggest piece of advice:
“Stay at it, man. You’re going to have your ups and downs. It’s not an easy game, and try not to be distracted by all the off-the-field stuff. Coming to the yard every day to work, and continuing to work hard.”
Mike Foltynewicz (2010, 1st round, 19th pick to the Houston Astros, Minooka HS)
On draft day:
“My draft day, we were actually playing a game — high school sectional. We weren’t supposed to play, we’d gotten rained out so I wasn’t actually expecting to play on draft day, and I wasn’t expecting to go in the first round anyway. So we play, we actually lost. We were on our way back and everyone was kind of sad. I wasn’t paying attention to the draft, but one guy was. He’s like, ‘Folty, I think the Astros took you 19th.’ I looked at him and I was like, ‘What?’ And my agent called me and he was like, ‘Yup, the Astros want to take you 19th, what do you say?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely.’ But it was a kind of sad environment and all of a sudden everyone’s happy, giving me hugs. It was a day I’ll never forget, so it was awesome. A dream come true.”
Biggest piece of advice:
“It’s a big grind, people don’t realize that. Especially the fans and everything like that, they expect that it’s like basketball — you get drafted and you’re there. But you’ve got three, four years of straight grinding. Maybe less than that, but it’s a long time. That’s how you get better. You might be blessed with a gift to throw the ball hard or hit the ball, but that only gets you so far. Hard work’s going to lead the way after that, so it’s definitely a grind.”
Nick Markakis (2003, 1st round, 7th pick to the Baltimore Orioles, Young Harris College)
On draft day:
“Just getting the phone call, or at the time it was on the Internet. And I remember my parents listening to it and it’s a cool experience. It’s just the beginning of a long journey, and it’s an exciting day. It’s step one of where myself and all the other players want to get to and you want to get up here in the big leagues, and not only get here but you want to stay here and be successful and be consistent. The biggest thing is to stay healthy.”
Biggest piece of advice:
“It’s a tough road, there’s no doubt about it. They’re going to have their ups and downs, and it’s just a battle. Stay with it, and if things are meant to be, they’re meant to be. You’ve just got to give it what you’ve got.”
