A dam Fogel was a solid regular in college for Hawaii and then Kentucky. But he never heard his name called in the draft, not after the number of rounds was reduced from 40 to 20 in 2021.
That may end up being the best thing that could have happened to him.
It’s been a circuitous route, but this year Fogel turned in one of the best seasons seen in an independent or MLB partner league in years.
The 26-year-old outfielder hit .388/.495/.773 with a Pioneer League record 35 home runs for Missoula. He tossed in another 27 doubles.
Missoula has long been considered a good place to hit, and the Pioneer League is a hitter-friendly league, but Fogel hit everywhere he played. He batted .403 and hit 18 of his 35 home runs in road games.
His 2024 season made him Baseball America’s Independent/Partner Leagues Player of the Year. And it was a wonderful validation of the decisions Fogel made a year ago.
Coming out of Kentucky in 2023, Fogel went to spring training with the Frontier League’s Ottawa Titans. He hit well, but there was one problem: His arm was unplayable in the outfield. He would sometimes bounce throws to the cutoff man.
Fogel went back to his California home and had his elbow checked out. The doctor found he had a completely torn ulnar collateral ligament.
In hindsight, Fogel admits he probably should have had his elbow checked out well before, but as a 24-year-old amateur at the time, a seven-month rehab from Tommy John surgery seemed like it could be a career ender.
So he spent a few weeks mulling over whether he even wanted to have his elbow repaired. Was it time to give up on baseball and move on?
この記事は Baseball America の December 2024/January 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Baseball America の December 2024/January 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
Following the dissolution of the Pac-12, Oregon State embraces the uncertainty-and challenge of playing with no conference affiliation and remaining a national power
MLB FEELS THE LOSS OF MR. BASEBALL, BOB UECKER
Bob Uecker was never afraid to laugh at himself. His sense of humor endeared him to millions and earned him a place of reverence in the game, making his Mr. Baseball moniker entirely fitting.
BASEBALL LOSES RICKEY HENDERSON, ITS MAN OF STEAL
From roaming the hallways at Oakland Technical High to breaking records down the road at the Oakland Coliseum, left fielder Rickey Henderson personified the heart and grit of his home city.
A WINNING COMBINATION
More talent and better training methods have made college baseball a more attractive precursor to pro ball. Preseason No. 1 Texas A&M typifies this talent-rich new reality.
IT'S NOT HOW YOU START
Evidence mounts that baseball players, especially pitchers, should aim to peak around age 20
WHY COLLEGE BASEBALL COACHES ARE PURSUING OLDER ROSTERS
Nick Mingione was certain about two things heading into the 2023 season, his seventh at the helm of Kentucky's baseball program.
TWINSPIRATION
Witherspoon twins Kyson and Malachi draw inspiration from their determined single mother and each other as their baseball journey leads them to the front of Oklahoma's rotation
SURVIVE AND ADAPT
To be a college baseball coach is to be at the whim of the money-making sports, football and basketball. Success in such an environment is dependent on resiliency and malleability.
INDEPENDENT/PARTNER LEAGUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ADAM FOGEL, MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS
Adam Fogel sets the Pioneer League home run record in a season to remember
MINOR LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MIKE ABRAMSON, HARTFORD YARD GOATS
Hartford GM Mike Abramson’s tireless dedication has made the Yard Goats one of the best tickets in the minor leagues
