By David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer
Imagine having the dream to be a Major League baseball player. Throughout your youth, you play the outfield. You like hitting and playing everyday, and in your mind, you’re a Major League outfielder.
On draft day, you’re drafted by a team in the 20th round. Low, but not hopelessly low. The day the team drafts you, they tell you that they want you to move from the outfield to the mound. You’re not going to play the outfield again. What would you do? Would you pursue the dream of the Major Leagues even if it doesn’t mean playing the outfield again?
The team that drafted you says that your left arm gives you your best shot to make the Major Leagues. It will take some time to learn how to pitch, but they’re confident that you can make it. They have had experience with players moving from other positions into bullpen roles and making the Major Leagues. They’ve had former catchers and outfielders in their bullpen.
If you can imagine all that, then you can understand a bit more about Junior Carlin. That’s the decision he faced. And, ever since becoming a reliever with the Orem Owlz, he’s been excelling.
Click below to listen to the AngelsWin.com interview with Juan “Junior” Carlin.
