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A former Rocket will get the chance to compete for spot on the Major League roster.
Aaron Dudley will participate in spring training with the Miami Marlins in hopes of making the 25-man active roster.
The former UT catcher and infielder has climbed his way up the minor league ladder, beginning his career in the A-Minus level New York- Pennsylvania league, Single-A ball in the South Atlantic League and finally to Double-A in the Southern League.
Dudley started his career with the Jamestown Jammers in New York where he finished the 2010 season with a .262 batting average.
The next year Dudley was in North Carolina where he hit .277 for the Greensboro Grasshoppers and appeared in five games for the AA Jacksonville Suns. In 2012, Dudley moved down to the A-Plus level where he hit .268 for the Jupiter Hammerheads before landing in Jacksonville again to finish the season with a .262 average.
For a minor leaguer, the work never really ends. Baseball is not just a passion; it’s a full time job.
“People don’t understand how hard it is to be away from your family for six months out of the year,” Dudley said. “We are only home about three months out of the six months of the season so we are constantly on the road living out of our suit cases.”
Minor leaguers see 10 hour workdays with about two or three days off a month out of the six month season.
For Dudley, preparation for the grind began during his collegiate career.
“In college you really don’t have an offseason,” he said. “You might get a month off total with winter break and fall break. After the full college season you might get about two weeks before you report for your summer ball team which can last about two months. Then school starts and you begin fall practice. It really simulates the minor league season which helps out a lot.”
Dudley used the college experience to create an offseason routine to help prepare for the start of spring training. The first two months of the offseason is devoid of baseball with focus on core strength training in the weight room. When December rolls around, Dudley begins to ramp up his throwing and hitting. He starts conditioning in February to make sure he’s in prime shape.
To stay motivated, Dudley remembers that everyone is expendable. Baseball is a business and that remains true even in the minor leagues.
“Realistically, if a team has more money invested in a player they are obviously going to have priority over you,” Dudley said. If you do the right things and perform they will keep you around. If you work hard and wait it out, they will give you a chance.”
That goes double for young players. With young talent coming from South America as well as the United States, it’s easy to lose your grip on a roster spot.
“You have to keep in the back of your mind that they are always trying to find someone to replace you,” Dudley said. “There are people all over the world that have the dream of coming over here to play major league baseball. That’s enough motivation to work hard because if you’re not working hard they will find someone else that will.”
Minor leaguers report for spring training in March and will get their shot at playing time around the second week of the month. These spring games will not only help the Marlins decide on their 25-man roster, but decide the rosters of their farm teams as well.
Dudley’s plan is simple — just play ball.
“I’m just going to play how I know I can play,” he said. “It’s not set in stone what team you are going to make. I’d like to be starting in AA in Jacksonville and possibly move up to AAA in New Orleans. With injuries and everything you never know.”
The Marlins spring training officially begins on Feb. 22. Minor league pitchers and catchers will report on March 4 and will receive physicals and conditioning preps before they can play.
Opening day for the Jacksonville Suns is April 4.
Aaron Dudley will participate in spring training with the Miami Marlins in hopes of making the 25-man active roster.
The former UT catcher and infielder has climbed his way up the minor league ladder, beginning his career in the A-Minus level New York- Pennsylvania league, Single-A ball in the South Atlantic League and finally to Double-A in the Southern League.
Dudley started his career with the Jamestown Jammers in New York where he finished the 2010 season with a .262 batting average.
The next year Dudley was in North Carolina where he hit .277 for the Greensboro Grasshoppers and appeared in five games for the AA Jacksonville Suns. In 2012, Dudley moved down to the A-Plus level where he hit .268 for the Jupiter Hammerheads before landing in Jacksonville again to finish the season with a .262 average.
For a minor leaguer, the work never really ends. Baseball is not just a passion; it’s a full time job.
“People don’t understand how hard it is to be away from your family for six months out of the year,” Dudley said. “We are only home about three months out of the six months of the season so we are constantly on the road living out of our suit cases.”
Minor leaguers see 10 hour workdays with about two or three days off a month out of the six month season.
For Dudley, preparation for the grind began during his collegiate career.
“In college you really don’t have an offseason,” he said. “You might get a month off total with winter break and fall break. After the full college season you might get about two weeks before you report for your summer ball team which can last about two months. Then school starts and you begin fall practice. It really simulates the minor league season which helps out a lot.”
Dudley used the college experience to create an offseason routine to help prepare for the start of spring training. The first two months of the offseason is devoid of baseball with focus on core strength training in the weight room. When December rolls around, Dudley begins to ramp up his throwing and hitting. He starts conditioning in February to make sure he’s in prime shape.
To stay motivated, Dudley remembers that everyone is expendable. Baseball is a business and that remains true even in the minor leagues.
“Realistically, if a team has more money invested in a player they are obviously going to have priority over you,” Dudley said. If you do the right things and perform they will keep you around. If you work hard and wait it out, they will give you a chance.”
That goes double for young players. With young talent coming from South America as well as the United States, it’s easy to lose your grip on a roster spot.
“You have to keep in the back of your mind that they are always trying to find someone to replace you,” Dudley said. “There are people all over the world that have the dream of coming over here to play major league baseball. That’s enough motivation to work hard because if you’re not working hard they will find someone else that will.”
Minor leaguers report for spring training in March and will get their shot at playing time around the second week of the month. These spring games will not only help the Marlins decide on their 25-man roster, but decide the rosters of their farm teams as well.
Dudley’s plan is simple — just play ball.
“I’m just going to play how I know I can play,” he said. “It’s not set in stone what team you are going to make. I’d like to be starting in AA in Jacksonville and possibly move up to AAA in New Orleans. With injuries and everything you never know.”
The Marlins spring training officially begins on Feb. 22. Minor league pitchers and catchers will report on March 4 and will receive physicals and conditioning preps before they can play.
Opening day for the Jacksonville Suns is April 4.