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Hey Columbus Sports Fans!

This article contains one of the questions that I am most frequently asked throughout the year. Hopefully this article will answer questions and give some insight on things that people may not necessarily know.

College vs. Minor League Baseball

I frequently get asked questions about life in the Minor Leagues and what the differences are between professional baseball and college baseball. Well, if you are not aware of this already, the competition is much more intense at the professional level. There are also plenty of other obvious differences such as: wood vs. aluminum bats, the size of the seams on the baseball, and of course, the mindset of the pro athlete versus that of the student-athlete.

Another big difference is the length of the seasons at each level, which effects the development of players. There are around 60 games in the college season, while 142 in the Minor League season. In professional baseball there are only a handful of days off throughout the season, while in college you get at least a couple days off each week. Also, in the Minor Leagues, starting pitchers throw every fifth day as opposed to once a week in college.  This means that pitchers must not only take really good care of their arms, but they must also make the most of their days off between starts.

In professional baseball, especially as you move up in levels, players are much savvier. Hitters not only learn what each pitcher has in his repertoire, but they learn to key off on tendencies and sequences. This is why some experienced big league hitters will hit a ball 500 feet off of a rookie pitcher despite the pitch breaking over the plate at his ankles. Pitchers obviously exhibit much better control at the higher levels, but just as important, they also develop a better understanding of the game itself. They are aware of the game as it unfolds and recognize the purpose of each and every pitch.

One difference that has had a big impact on me is being able to experience perspectives from so many different players, coaches, and coordinators. In college, players have their few respective coaches and 30 or so teammates that they rely on for most of their advice and influence. In professional baseball I am able to speak and interact with a large number of different players from all over the world.  I also benefit from having contact with coaches and coordinators that have played at the highest levels, and with some of the best players in the world. With the constant change (promotions, demotions, trades, releases, and rehab appearances) in baseball, there never seems to be a set roster from day to day. It definitely makes the season very interesting, but at the same time, there is almost always something that I can take, use, and learn from each day.

Thanks again for reading!

Tags: minor league baseball, toronto blue jays