“All the scouts were in agreement on the basic facts about him. Everyone knew that Pedroia was a very good hitter for average, that he had a smart approach at the plate, and that his mental toolbox was ‘off the charts.’ Everyone knew that he had a long swing; that his defense was steady but unspectacular; that his foot speed was no better than average; that he was short and did not have a terrific physique.”
– from the book The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver
As a general rule, athletic endeavors reward the big. As a general rule, athletic endeavors reward the strong. As a general rule, athletic endeavors reward the fleet of foot Such is the way of athletic endeavors.
In baseball – the greatest of all athletic endeavors – being big, strong, and fast are tremendous assets, but no guarantee of success. Nor is being small in stature or possessing less than lightning speed a relegation to athletic mediocrity. There is a place in baseball at all levels for lots of different kinds of players. But you have to want it. You have to work for it.
When Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia entered the 2004 MLB amateur draft, scouts described him as “not physically gifted.” He wasn’t that big. His swing was relatively unimpressive. Many believed he’d be an average player at best. Keith Law of ESPN, writing in May 2007 just after Pedroia had began his first full season with the Red Sox, described him as a player who “doesn’t have the strength or bat speed to hit major-league pitching consistently, and he has no power.” Law didn’t think Pedroia could or would be a standout player. “He’ll be useful,” Law wrote. “He probably has a future as a backup infielder.” Pedroia himself has even said “I’m not the biggest guy in the world. I don’t have that many tools. If you saw me walking down the street, you wouldn’t think I’m a baseball player.”
So how in the world did this guy win American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2007? How in the world did this guy win the 2008 American League MVP? How in the world has this guy become a multiple All-Star and a .303 lifetime hitter (over his first seven seasons)?
For what Pedroia lacks in physical prowess, he makes up for in work ethic, focus, and confidence. He works his tail off, doesn’t allow himself to be distracted in practice or games (in fact he gets annoyed when those around him aren’t staying focused like him), and he has the confidence to shake off slumps because he knows he’s playing the game the right way – and in the long run, that’s all that really matters.
Pedroia can turn apparent weaknesses into strengths. So what if he’s short? That just means pitchers have a smaller strike zone to pitch into. So what if he’s small? This just means he’s a bit more agile at second base and inherently closer to hard hit ground balls that come his way.
As I sit here thinking about Pedroia, I’m reminded of another baseball player from a different era who also won Rookie of the Year honors (1963), became a perennial All-Star, and won the National League MVP in 1973. He wasn’t that big, and he certainly wasn’t all that fast. But boy was he tenacious, focused, and confident. People called him “Charlie Hustle”. And over the course of a 24-year career, he was a .303 lifetime hitter and amassed 4,256 hits, more than any other player in MLB history. His name was Pete Rose.
I came across an article written online a couple weeks ago about Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock. In it, the author of the piece Jules Tompkins writes:
“He has big league experience, playing in 31 games over five stints with the Diamondbacks last season. Granted, the 25-year-old’s major league numbers weren’t the most impressive, but he was frequently praised for his solid, reliable play. Whether he was wisely taking an extra base or running a savvy outfield route, the organization seems to trust Pollock’s maturity and readiness.”
Odds are A.J. Pollock isn’t the second coming of Dustin Pedroia or Pete Rose. But because he’s reliable, wise, and savvy, he’s getting his shot in the major leagues. And that ain’t nothing.
If you’re fastball isn’t going to break the radar gun, then work on location and changing speeds.
If you’re not destined to hit monster home runs, then see the ball better and put it in play more consistently.
If you don’t have tremendous closing speed when running down balls to the outfield, then work on breaking quicker on the ball and taking better angles.
If you’re not the fastest base runner in the world, then work on reading pitchers’ moves to get a better jump.
If you happen to be big, strong, and fast, more power to you. Don’t squander the gifts. Know though there’s a place in baseball at all levels of play for the crafty pitcher, the patient hitter, the savvy outfielder, and the smart baserunner. But you have to want it. You have to work for it.
Elevate Your Baseball Game 
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