Based on my conversation with former Mets Farmhand Anthony Dimino
“There are 1400 new players drafted or signed every year, and they are all after your job.” says Anthony Dimino, a 28th Round Draft Pick in 2015 out of Belmont Abbey College, and former Mets farmhand who retired in 2018 to pursue other opportunities in baseball.
That is the cold reality for most players the front office hasn’t pre-ordained for the majors. The good news for the long shot prospects, even if one day you have to give up on your dream, chasing it is still worth every bit of it and more.
Domino, intelligent and self aware, with an optimistic disposition, speaks in awe of his time in professional baseball. The game has been good to him and his family.
His father and grandfather played, the former for the Utica Blue Sox, an affiliate of several different MLB franchises in the 70s and 80s; and his sisters rooted him on as he rose the ranks all the way to Single-A. But it is also the friendships developed, the character of the people involved, and wholesomeness of the game that kept him and still keeps him engaged. He’s not the baseball fan that frantically analyzes his teams’ every move, he’s a fan of the game and everything it represents.
For Dimino, the experience mattered more than the achievements. How many people can say they shared a dugout for two summers with college football legend Tim Tebow, batted in front of all-time great Met David Wright (perhaps the only time he was “starstruck”), marveled in person at the sheer immense talent of Pete Alonso, caught Noah Syndergaard, and took hacks against potential Hall of Famer Jacob deGrom.
Even though he faced some pretty tough competition in his career, when asked who was the hardest to hit, he surprisingly singled out the journeyman left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, the soft tossing, oft-injured Marlins southpaw, that he labeled the most difficult to hit. “The radar gun said 89-90, but it looked like it was coming out at 110.” DImino recalled, also referencing his unique delivery.
Despite his live and let live attitude, DImino admits, “The life of a minor leaguer is tough...unlike high school or college, it’s different when it’s your job -- you’re not only facing competition from across the diamond, but you’re competing for playing time with your teammates, a prospect a level below you, or from options from other organizations.”
Despite not being the most heralded prospect, DImino put it all on the line to help his team win, because that’s what he expected of himself, and that’s what others expected of him. That was the culture of competitive baseball, which can sometimes put players at odds with what is best for reaching their goals. When I asked about what position he played, he responded “versatile.” In fact, though he retired a catcher, he hadn’t actually played the position until the two catchers on the depth chart were injured and he filled in on an emergency basis.
It was that versatility, including playing the most difficult position on the diamond, that gave him a shot to continue if he chose to pursue further. After all, he finished his career with a .303 batting average. His last 14 games of his career, in August 2018, were actually his best. He batted .319 with .862 OPS, 2 Home Runs and 8 RBI during that stretch. Even though the Mets decided to move on, it was DImino who made the call. “He had other offers” to continue, but he had achieved what he wanted to, and has moved on.
Though DImino’s professional career has ended, whether in high school, college, or pro ball, he has met some pretty cool people along the way. The experience alone has meant the world to him. He spoke glowingly of his minor league manager, Chad Kreuter, who he described as a “really awesome guy to play for.” He has also remained close friends with several blue chips still in the Mets system, including Desmond Lindsay, the Mets' former 2nd Round Pick in 2015, and Thomas Szapucki, who has a chance to make his Major League Debut this season.
DImino, who now works as a trainer for future athletes, had one word of advice for future players “it’s definitely a job, but enjoy the ride.”
Jeremy - interviews are always great. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI forgot Dimino hit .303 in his minors career, something to be proud of. He had one big catching flaw: 10 times the passed ball rate of James McCann. That was a fatal flaw, it seems. Had he fixed that flaw, and was James McCann's equal defensively, I think he would have had a MLB future, based on the numbers.
Alternatively, he could have tried another position. Many catchers who struggle wind up at 1B.
ReplyDeleteReese, I think Dimino was more od a MIF because he was not big and was on the low side of the power scale. When he stopped playing, I was frankly puzzled, though.I saw him as a utility IF who could catch in an emergency. He had decent speed.
ReplyDeleteLet me add, for clarity, that I ADMIRE Mr. Dimino. I really liked how Dimino seemed willing to try multiple positions to diversify.
ReplyDeleteYou see a fast guy like Rosario, as an example, push back on possible outfield play, and I respected Dimino much more for trying.
Same with knuckleball. Several hugely successful pitchers over the years with knuckles, so why not try it if your career with conventional stuff is not getting you there?
High whiff Champ Stuart? Why not study a Matty Alou and see if you can be successful like Alou was in making constant contact, bunting and running before you give up baseball?
Dimino, to his credit, DID try. And my hat is off to him for doing so.
Let me add, for clarity, that I ADMIRE Mr. Dimino. I really liked how Dimino seemed willing to try multiple positions to diversify.
ReplyDeleteYou see a fast guy like Rosario, as an example, push back on possible outfield play, and I respected Dimino much more for trying.
Same with knuckleball. Several hugely successful pitchers over the years with knuckles, so why not try it if your career with conventional stuff is not getting you there?
High whiff Champ Stuart? Why not study a Matty Alou and see if you can be successful like Alou was in making constant contact, bunting and running before you give up baseball?
Dimino, to his credit, DID try. And my hat is off to him for doing so.
Tony
ReplyDeleteWe always speak in the amount of players that reach organized ball.
We never talk about the hundreds of thousands that play Pee Wee, Junior High, High Scool, and collge ball that never play in organized ball.
Always remember YOU were one of the elite.