Developing the youngin's

[thirty-two]

Superstars and rejects aside, how long does it take, on average, for a player to be drafted by a team and to then play in the big leagues?

Obviously its not like basketball where a player can come in right from high school and start in the big leagues. They have to learn how to play with wood bats, etc, and whatever else is necessary.

I'm just curious as to the average amount of time it normally takes to develop a player for the big leagues. Anyone want to fill me in?

 

[DbaxJ]

It really depends on the player... some guys like A. Soriano and Griffey Jr, get that jump start and are up in the bigs before they are 20, most others tend to spend a couple years in the minors before the transition. It all comes down to the need for them at their specific position and their talent level.

 

[Matrix31]

Not to nitpick, but Soriano was 23 when he started off in the bigs, hes 25 now. There are slight variations, but the average age for a prospect in high A is 21, AA 22, AAA 23, so 24 s about average i would guess. Of course some make it up a lot quicker, and some like Spivey take a little longer. Catchers usually take the longest. This is what makes what Albert Pujols is doing so amazing. He just turned 23 and is the only player to hit .300 with at least 30 homeruns, 100 RBI and 100 runs his first 2 years, and it looks like he will definately do that this year.

 

[thirty-two]

Thanks for the insight, guys.

 

[Eros400]

Spivey is a little different. He actually had a lot of different injuries that held him back. He was always kind of thought of as a good prospect, but never played much do to injury.

Soriano was thought to possible be a bust after he didnt' do well after his first stint in the majors. People were thinking he was just all Yankee hype. Then you know what happened from there. DeAngelo Jimenez of the White Sox was thought to be a better prospect when he was with the Yankees.