Flash in a Pan: How MLB Rookies stay in the league
MLB rookies take the league by storm. Justin looks into how some manage to preserver in the big leagues while others do not have what it takes.
Hot streaks. Electrifying talent. Unrecognizable players. Since nothing is in stone, any player in any organization can find their share of success in the big leagues through happenstance or chance. Taking the MLB world by storm is possible for every minor leaguer called up. Those made for MLB find ways to adjust and maintain consistency in a sport that exudes inconsistency. The process through which rookies stay in Major League Baseball is one of the most eccentric aspects of the game and determines who is there to stay and who is there to go.
Information is everything in MLB. From scouting reports to advanced metrics, MLB teams know as much as there is to know about themselves, and an opponent, as possible. Except for the players with little to no data and game tape. Since it requires more information and effort to find data on non-MLB players, MLB evaluators cannot scout prospects as they do big league players. Therefore, that leads to hot streaks from MLB rookies until there is eventually enough information on a player to figure out their strengths and weaknesses, in which case the learning curve period happens.
Adjusting weaknesses once scouted are those who manage to stay in the big leagues for the long haul. Every MLB player is talented. That was never in doubt. What was in question was their resilience and desire to remain in the big leagues once they made it. Consistency, refined talent, and developed skills play in the Major Leagues.
Self-assessing is one of the most crucial aspects of any profession. Recognizing strengths and weaknesses can be done with help, but building off positives and building on negatives make legitimate players what they are. Yogi Berra, Hall of Fame catcher, was not a finished product in MLB when he first entered the league. According to Yogi: A Life Behind the Mask by Jon Pessah, Berra was one of the worst defensive players for a few years. Berra knew his defense at the time would not fly and did everything in his power to improve his weaknesses. After the fact, Many regard Berra as one of the greatest defensive catchers of all time, with many arguing he was the best. It may take a sustained amount of time to adjust fully to the league with the best baseball talent in the United States, but faith in the self motivates the best to be the best.
The journey towards becoming an established big-league player has loss, grit, resiliency, and doubt. As many can attest, not every baseball player is fit for the big leagues. The smallest pool of players makes it to MLB, and an even smaller tier manages to stay there. For MLB rookies, enjoying your time amongst the greatest should be the biggest takeaway from time in the big leagues. Hot streaks may be exciting to those watching, but fully embracing consistency is what separates the best from the good.
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