Although the Boston Red Sox won't be announcing the roster for their Greenville minor league affiliate until several weeks from now, one prospect in particular is “completely” looking forward to playing for the Drive in 2011.
“I'll have all my friends and family here to support me,” said Madison Younginer, the Mauldin High graduate who was drafted in the seventh round by the Red Sox in 2009.
A pitcher, Younginer played his first season of professional baseball in 2010 competing for the Lowell Spinners of the New York-Penn League. The 6-foot-4 right-hander had a 3-7 won-loss record and a 4.79 earned run average in 14 starts.
“Madison had a really positive year last year,” said Ben Crockett, assistant director of player development for the Red Sox.
On the minor league ladder, Greenville is one rung above Lowell, so many fans and experts are expecting Younginer to start the 2011 season at Fluor Field.
“April 7, right before we leave (spring training), is the first time we'll know for sure,” Younginer said during a recent visit to Greenville.
The biggest adjustment to pro ball for Younginer? A cutback in his on-the-field workload.
“I always played center field as well,” he said.
Boston is also very careful with its young arms, so Younginer's mound outings averaged fewer than five innings per start.
“The last thing a pitcher wants to do is get hurt,” he said.
Another key for young players is learning to repeat the actions that yield the best results. DeAngelo Mack, a former University of South Carolina outfielder who played for the Charleston RiverDogs in 2010, told this reporter the biggest difference between minor leaguers and major leaguers isn't talent.
“They're more consistent at what they do,” he said of big leaguers. “They do all the little things really well.”
Crockett puts it another way.
“The word 'routine' is what we really preach to these guys,” he said.
For Younginer, that means throwing with the same motion every time so that his pitches will be consistently effective.
Another “routine” for minor leaguers is learning about life on the road. Many are away from home for the first time, with some money in their pockets and less adult supervision than before
Younginer, however, said his daily plate was full with workouts, games, and calls home.
“By the time you get done with all of it,” he said, “it's the end of the day and time to go to bed.”
But at least this year, Younginer may get to go to bed in more familiar surroundings.
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