How Do You Know If You Have Major League Talent?

[@ladscrimpton8590]

Great point about how hard it is to even step onto an MLB field. Different sport, but similar concept: Brian Scalabrine, who was a bench player on the Celtics awhile back, said to some fans who were talking trash: "I'm closer to Lebron than you are to me." I also recently watched some NBA prospect's workout from a while back on youtube, and the kid was not missing any shots. It was insane, it looked like he was impossible to stop, he looked like a super star. Fast forward to today, and he's a below average bench player in the league. The top level of sports is so competitive, that it can make the best players in the world look bad. Easy to forget how skilled the top levels of all sports are.

[@_tom_p]

Scalabrine had a show for a while (way after he retired) where he'd play anyone 1-1 and would absolutely destroy every single person that challenged him - and this was when he looked like your out of shape uncle

[@Galaxy-bu6jx]

Can you do a video on what your routine was in high school? For example, hand routines, fungo, BP, tee work etc.

[@ratryox5667]

Yes this ^^^^

[@davidbohn8955]

Matt, this reminds me of the conversation that you had about when you ran next to Jacoby Ellsbury. There is a lot of talent in the world and it all eventually rises to the top. Some people throw harder, some people run faster, but none of that guarantees that you will play in the majors. The player has to have the want to develop into the best that they can be, and it's my job as a coach to feed that want. The only moment you 100% know when a player will NOT make it to the majors is when the want is no longer in them.

[@jaysantos536]

Curious what he had to say about "Jake". That dude was my second favorite player on 2007 Red Sox ream behind Pedroia.

[@davidbohn8955]

@@jaysantos536 the short story is Matt was always one of the fastest player on any team he was on until he met Jacoby who left him in the dust in a foot race. It was then Matt realized the talent pool he was playing in was tough.

[@jaysantos536]

@@davidbohn8955 That;s funny...Jake was a burner...

[@truthseeker5004]

Hey Matt first time commenter here. I think you really nailed it. I read an article once that in any given season only about 10% of all minor leaguers will ever see a day in the Major Leagues.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@breathe4430]

As the mom of someone in the MLB I can tell you that talent will take you only so far. So much is up to your attitude, your drive, your focus and having your head straight. Having the discipline not to look at social media and learning how to deal with death threats from fans. It’s even harder now because people are online betting on the games and when they lose money they get very ugly. So focus is critical. You need to be able to tune everything else in the world out when you’re playing that game. Surround yourself with good people who want nothing from you but everything for you.

[@jackland454]

I just stopped coaching my sons team after 11u. This is very good and timely for me to listen to as he moves forward. Thank you!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

No problem! Thanks for watching!!

[@chasedarnaud1188]

Well said. It’s all about sticking with it and continuing to get better until you no longer play the game.

[@ronb3934]

I played ball my entire life and was always one of the best guys on the team. Than when I went to play college ball I figured out quickly that there’s levels to this game and unfortunately I just didn’t have it.

[@JanLarson]

Matt - I think the most valuable point you emphasized was that baseball is a game of skills. That is, acquired skills. A player may have a great arm, can run fast, etc. but unless he can field and throw, recognize where the ball is off the bat and run the bases or, if a pitcher, control and place his pitches, natural ability isn't going to get it done.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

For sure! Thanks!!!

[@Archdukecollins]

I was unhittable in little league and jr high. I wasn’t a big kid but I was so dominant as a pitcher. My little league teams won league 3 years in a row and my jr high team went undefeated with me pitching most games. When I got to varsity I wasn’t dominant and when I got to American legion and faced some college kids I was overmatched.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yup that happens a lot!

[@jacobh674]

You made some great points. Only 2 kids from the middle school A team made varsity. Most of our varsity team was on the C team. Some food for thought.

[@Mitten4371]

Yea I pitched in highschool and during my youth years as well and I was fortunate to play for coaches that played pro or college and so my baseball knowledge is rich. So at the end of my junior year and I live in Georgia just north of Atlanta but mlb was having tryouts at Emory University and so I went to it. So you had pro scouts there and you have college scouts there and they told us if they were interested in you then they would give you a call. Well I got the call and the Florida Marlins which now is the Miami Marlins were interested in me. But that plays in it as well is there might be a scout at the game watching you play and might think that they have what it takes to play in the major leagues. But the Marlins I think wanted to see me throw again and I remember throwing for them and I can't remember how many guys that were there to scout pitchers. But after it was over I ended up I think 15 on the list but later on I was told that I was number 5 on the list. Then I had a scout from the Marlins who I did a side session with and afterwards I remember what that scout told me. He said be careful in what you wish for because you might just get it and so when he said that as you can imagine my confidence went thtough the roof and thinking that I might have a shot at this. But then things started to fall apart because my senior year in highschool I got cut from the team and I was devestated and was wanting to go to college to play college baseball but that didn't happen. Then tried to play after the age of 18 my velocity went down and my dream came to an end. So like he said alot of things can happen and it is extremely hard to make it to college or even to the pros. But also every player that is playing major league baseball was scouted at some point so keep that in mind also but they have worked their tail off to get to where they are today

[@spybro3264]

congrats on 200k matt keep it up

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!!

[@joshzysman3451]

Great video , everyone knew when I was 5 that I wasn’t going to the majors they were right

[@keithdiaz8166]

Enjoyed this.

[@Austinbroz2]

What’s up Matt love ya man, padres legend!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!!

[@woodardhall1624]

Well done!!

[@Hixlol]

Congrats on getting 200k subs!!!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thank you!!!

[@matvail2002]

As much as you need to be an elite player to play professionally any sport, pro baseball is special because you got 4-5 different levels of minor leagues and usually you have to do most (or all) minor league levels before making it to the MLB. You need not only to have incredible talent and work hard, but you also need to be very consistent for years and years to make it to the MLB.

[@EquityCall]

Great advice. Compare yourself to your past self and keep improving.

[@rslwannabe9475]

My trainers been trying to teach me to time perfectly and get my hands to work correctly by being on team for 4 months now probably. The swing is fine, the approach is fine, its just being on timing and letting it work fine.

[@dbach1025]

This is going to sound funny. But I believe you nailed the answer. Just no way to know. Love the scene from Moneyball where Beane is telling Grady "I know, I know, I know, and you don't", when talking about the ability to naturally predict who will be a 4 or 5 tool stud and then be successful. Too many variables, of which a lot are not in the players hand.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yup! Funny thing is, Grady Fuson from Moneyball is who drafted me with the Padres.

[@dbach1025]

@@AntonelliBaseball that is awesome story. Well, you proved Beane right as there is no mind reading to account for injuries and just bad luck.n

[@Stosh68]

As you said, people have a hard time comprehending how difficult it is to make the major leagues. Approximately 20,000 players have made the major leagues. If you go to a major league stadium, and there are only 20,000 fans in attendance, the stadium looks visibly empty. It will take another 100 years before every single player who has ever appeared in an MLB game would be able to fill Fenway Park.

[@Cheapseatsmedia]

Matt making the MLB was my dream I felt like I could make it but I got to high school and my coach killed all my dreams

[@waywardson1663]

I watch a lot of minor league games of different sports and I am sometimes very confused why some players get chances at higher levels while others do not after seeing them play several times. My local indie team held open tryouts a few years ago and there was a really jacked young guy from Cuba (who was married to a local girl) who came and hit 95 on the gun, but only threw 2 strikes out of 20 pitches. He was not asked back. That one would have been a huge project but still, a non-pro throwing 95?

[@michaelsuzio4268]

I played baseball until I was 15 maybe 16 I hit 1 little league homerun out of the park made 2 all star teams and played summer ball but hit .200 my last two years in high school and started roller skating/ice skating instead of playing baseball I played against a couple guys that could throw 90+ mph...look up Rick Riccobono he got drafted by the red Sox I was pretty overmatched I think I had a couple of doubles off a guy that threw 80 mph though but still l was hitting . 200

[@ljw3491]

I loved it when you talked about people watching mlb and saying why is that guy still starting games when he can only hit 190 or 210. They have no idea how hard it is and having played with guys that had mlb time and then retired or some up and cummer took their job I watched first hand at how they hit when playing in great senior amateur teams and how they could hit the ball still. It was a whole different sound coming off their bats and by their own admission it was very easy compared to mlb.

[@pedro3131]

I really think some broadcasts should switch to a catcher/umps view of an AB from time to time. Would really do a number on the "they should just choke up and hit the ball the other way" crowd.

[@bm9905]

yup or the "strikeouts are so common now because of the teaching of launch angle"... maybe its because pitchers are throwing 96 mph consistently with 3000 rpm spin rate making it look like its 105mph with 17 inches of horizontal movement

[@calebwooley5550]

When you first get Called up to the major leagues do you get to pick a number

[@kennethhill613]

Hey bro you think you can do a video on just making your high school team?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

It’s tough because the talent level at high schools is so different from school to school

[@kennethhill613]

Right but like tips on how to make it like..what do the coaches look for? I mean that's really the first step of the jounrey..of course in little league everyones ona team, but HS they have to want you and the process of making it begins.@@AntonelliBaseball

[@anthony25884]

Hey Matt, your videos are so informative! Is it a good idea for players to expand opportunities in other baseball leagues like KBO or even lesser-known leagues to increase a player's chances of playing professional baseball?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!! There are definitely a lot of leagues that players can play in to show they have what it possibly takes to play in mlb

[@PeteMcTeee]

My Dad was our high school's AD. He told many stories of parents asking him how he could lie up their kids for a scholarship or getting drafted. He was telling them gently . . . if your son is batting 8th in this lineup . .. He's not eve the best on his own roster. Let alone the county, or district, or state. The vertical latter bottlenecks quickly. I played on a Penn State satellite campus. First team gathering Coach let us know that never did one player from that campus ever go to play for the Div 1 program on main campus. lol. Not everyone is going to the show.

[@chadmckeighan6726]

Amen!

[@WordMadeFlesh777]

Mental, work ethic ect is a given: what wasn’t talked about was…..The “freak gene 🧬 “ that combined with the above mentioned is a part of the ticket that helps a lot: at elite levels of any sport players have some element of the freak gene.

[@ericfrench2021]

I think MLB should have teams outside of North America. The game is loved

[@LaggingBack]

Matt.. you talk all the time about struggling to keep weight on throughout the season, you’ve also said you eventually figured out how to keep that weight on.. I’d love to know what you did to maintain

[@J_i_z_z_y]

You will know when your surrounded by people and your name is in the paper with lots of awards..

[@jaysantos536]

Not when the kid is under about 17. Lots of kids with ALL the hype in high school wash out.....

[@duckfan2448]

Alternate title could be: so how do you know if you're talented enough to start earnin' some of that money? Also, only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.

[@bucknuts8824]

Matt, my question as stupid as this may seem, is how do you keep getting better? Obviously I know reps, practice, weight room...I don't mean that. What routine did you have in the off season, in thw regular season. What were you working on? What drills, and things were you working on, and how much did you work on it. When I got to college, I plateaud. And I felt I worked harder than anyone. Would really appreciate your insight so I can pass it on to my kids. Thanks

[@MrCctvtech]

Play baseball because you love to play.

[@RickyTempletonBsbl]

So what happen to those kids that peaked at 12u? Cause that was me

[@justinroark88]

Can you please do a video on drug and alcohol use and abuse in MLB? I don't ask for names, just, is it prevalent? Are there players on their way out of the league that have nothing to lose and decide to use, sell or abuse drugs?

[@loganumberger3607]

Haha. I’m guilty of asking you this Matt. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Not about my kid but a very impressive 13 yo I saw play.

[@stephenschramm1233]

No hat threw me off - lol

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Me too! Lol

[@markyuen2312]

How to make the MLB? Practice, Practice, Practice...........

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yup for sure!!

[@Ireland831]

I don't think we need a 12 minute vid for this. The baseball "experts" drafted you in the first round. This is no guarantee of success. So I think the bottom line is there is no indicator that you have the right talent to make it and stay in MLB.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I will delete it now lol

[@Ireland831]

@@AntonelliBaseball You are a good sport...My point is there are strong indicators of Major League talent...but so difficult to determine who has the goods.

[@lynnkurumaji2478]

Do you think a player like Dan Gladden, who was undrafted in 1979 from Fresno State, can still slip through the cracks and make it to the major league?