Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings For the week of :
May 27, 2002

Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Seattle shortstop prospect has big league bloodlines
May 30, 2002

The tall, wiry shortstop wearing number seven for the Seattle Mariners extended spring training squad is like any other player waiting for the start of his first minor league season. The teenager, just one year out of high school, is just trying to get his feet wet in the pro game, learning to play every day and absorbing every piece of knowledge his coaches share with him.

Michael Garciaparra

But "number seven" has one advantage that his teammates can't claim ... a famous brother who has been a role model since the two were growing up together in California. It helps that the older sibling is a two-time American League batting champion and one of the best shortstops on the planet.

Michael Garciaparra has learned a lot from brother Nomar, the perennial all-star for the Boston Red Sox.

"It helped me in my preparation just by letting me know what was going on," answered the younger Garciaparra about the lessons passed on by Nomar and his teammates. "They let me know how to prepare mentally and physically, how to stay healthy, and how you've got to work out."

The Mariners drafted Garciaparra out of Don Bosco Tech High School in Rosemead, California with a supplemental first round pick (36th overall choice), even though the right-handed hitter missed most of his senior season while recovering from a knee injury suffered during football season. Many baseball observers were surprised that Garciaparra was chosen that early in the draft. But so far, members of the Mariners organization are pleased with what they've seen in the 19-year-old shortstop.

"He's a smart kid," remarked Seattle minor league coach Darrin Garner, one of the spring training instructors who have been working closely with Garciaparra. "He understands the game and plays hard. Everything you teach him, he tries to do it, and he usually executes. It's just a matter of (getting) repetitions. He's going to be a good player."

But it takes more than just hard work to make it to the major leagues. Garner continued, "You can see the tools are there. It's just a matter of time. He's going to go a long way in this game."

Garciaparra running out a ground ball

Garciaparra agrees that he needs to gain experience before he's ready to move up in the organization. "I just try to get better every day," he said. "It's a learning experience down here," added Garciaparra about his time in extended spring training. "You're working out every day and I learn something new every day."

The 6-1, 175 pound Garciaparra is eager to begin his professional career, with the short season leagues commencing in only a few weeks. His probable assignment will be with the Mariners' Northwest League affiliate in Everett, Washington. More than a few die-hard Seattle fans will likely make the short 30-mile trip to Everett to check out their potential future shortstop.

But one question remained to be asked. How did Garciaparra get a common moniker like Michael? After all, his brother was given the unusual Nomar as a reverse spelling of their father's name, Ramon.

Garciaparra answered, with a laugh, "He (Nomar) named me. My sister was born 11 months before me and my parents didn't want him to feel left out." So nine-year-old Nomar was given the opportunity to christen his younger brother. "That's how I got Michael."

Regardless of his name, Garciaparra still has a long way to go to make it to the big leagues. But with his raw abilities and strong bloodlines, Garciaparra may someday be across the playing field from his older brother .
--- Bill Mitchell