I played t-ball and I tell you the level of play is ridiculous. Those kids hit the ball almost every time.

These inside baseball posts you're doing are fascinating, great job. I clicked on 1 by accident now I've watched 6 in a row.

Out of high school, I played in an adult league in AZ. We faced this guy who just got cut from the AAA Yankees team the week before. Early in the game he was sitting at about 92MPH. By the 6th inning or so, he dropped to about 89-90MPH. I just ahead of the count, 2-0, and I was looking to crush his 89MPH fastball, and he umped it up to about 93MPH. I was so behind that I didn't even bother swinging. He tricked me. It was the coolest thing that I had ever seen, and I had seen many cool things, being a catcher. I don't think pitchers do a good enough job at changing speeds with their pitches (harder/slower fastball, harder/slower curve/slider). That pitcher disrupted my timing ON A PITCH THAT I KNEW WAS COMING !!! Coolest thing ever

I am 1000% addicted to your vids. I played small college baseball (middle infield) in the late 90's and you lived my dream and are answering EVERY question i ever wondered. your the man! keep it up.

"You're gonna see a lot of tools" was unintentionally funny. Got a chuckle out of that.

Thanks for the video. The age rule of thumb for top prospects is A- by age 20, A+ by 21, AA by 22, AAA by 23. These ages are less than the league average for each level because you would expect the top guys to progress faster than average. Even if you know nothing about a player, you can compare his age to the rule of thumb to at least get a rough gauge if he is a player the team has their eye on. For example, Ronald Acuna of the Braves is a top prospect as of 2018. Even if you knew nothing about him, the fact that he made AAA by age 19 means that he is someone a fan would want to watch out for.

From what I've seen in person high-A looked pretty good. Of course I saw a few players who were major league bound like Freddie Freeman, Lonnie Chisenhall, Steve Pearce etc. Saw another guy at Myrtle Beach high-A who had great power but a huge hole in his swing, struck out three times in the game I saw, he never made it. Looking at photos I took of the starting lineups it's revealing how few made it to the bigs. Very interesting video, you lived this.

Quite a few years ago Fernando Valenzuela came to Little Rock to pitch against our AA team. This was after he was released from the Dodgers and he signed with a Texas League team. About 12,000 packed the small park to see him pitch. He pitched a two hiter shutout and I remarked to the guy next to me this is the difference between the minors and the majors.

Matt, a friend of mine once told me that AAA players pretty much can do all the same things MLB players can do - that the talent is pretty close to the same. The key difference, he said, was consistency. MLB players are more consistent and that's that main difference between AAA and MLB. Does that sound accurate to you?

I can relate to the “high level college ball = aaa” nonsense you hear. I’m a professional guitarist and back when guitar hero was a thing, I remember hearing more than one person say that “freebird on expert mode is tougher than playing it on a real guitar!” Ohhh ok...so how long did it take you to master that? I dunno...3 or 4 weeks? Right...now realize that it takes most people 3-4 years to become a MEDIOCRE guitar player...nevermind the next decade you’ll spend learning how to play with feel, precision, consistency and confidence.

Love your vids. No one I can think of has broken things down so well for the fans. Thank you

Great post. I played 2 years in JUCO and one year in the SEC. The amount of dedication and time spent with 35 people was overbearing. I remember having to sign a document every week stating that we practiced for only 25 hours that week and thinking, 'yeah right'. People always say, 'oh man, baseball is just a bunch of grown men acting like boys. I would do anything to have their lives.' I chuckle. I played amateur baseball and I haven't experienced that type of grind in any other job i've been at. You have to be a certain type of person to make it work. And I don't think 90% of Americans would want the lifestyle. It's why I love the game and why I respect the hustle. I couldn't imagine the amount of pressure and daily grind there is in the minors/majors.

Hey man, I'm so happy to have stumbled onto this channel. I've seen two videos and both were illuminating and super interesting. I only recently took an interest in baseball and have a ton of questions regarding pretty much every aspect of the game. I'm from Toronto, and the "Bat Flip" game was by far the the best baseball game I have ever seen. The atmosphere was electric. Needless to say, I became hooked. Looking forward to watching more vids.

What a great video. I've been an avid baseball fan -- obsessed, really -- for more than 50 years. This is the best description of minor league ball I've seen since reading Pat Jordan's "A False Spring" many years ago. Love your videos. Matt. Wish i had found them sooner but better late than never, I suppose.

Thanks for your recollections of how talent improved as you progressed. I've known of guys getting promoted to MLB from Double A, so I figured that was the watershed line. What you shared nearly aligns with what analyst Eric Walker maintains - that after three years of professional ball, a player has pretty much established who he is.

I guess this video is pretty old, but I appreciate the explanation anyway. My nephew just moved up to "High-A" ball in the Mariners org. I've been trying to track his progress as he has been playing pro since high school. It was a HUGE adjustment going from a HS kid dominating and having fun with his friends to having to train, go to meetings, practice, etc. as a job 24/7/365. The first two years were really rough but he seems to have settled in and is making his way up now. I am certainly proud of him however far he makes it, as having been a D3 college athlete I know how much time and effort (not to mention talent) it takes at that level, and that is barely a blip compared to any level of professional athletics.

Hey man, how would English speaking team members communicate/get along with the non-English speaking team members?

Man, I have to say, your insight into playing for the majors and the road to get there is pretty awesome. Another great video. Thanx.

Awesome insight! As a frequent observer here in Low A - Asheville, NC, it's so cool to understand what these guys go through and have ahead of them. Really makes me appreciate all the hard work they put in and constant adversity they face as they move up.

Great video. Your love for the game and sense of humor really shows.

How about the differences in the Minors/Majors off the field of play? For example, in Low A, are you doubling up in a Motel 6 on the road, carrying your own bags, etc, vs Majors barely handling your luggage and staying in premium hotels, etc. Aside from the differences in the baseball performed on the field, I bet there is a whole other discussion of the lifestyle of the player at each level in the Minor/Major "food chain" so to speak.

Fun to hear you talk with admiration on your peers. NO ONE really 'gets it' on how good you guys are at sport and then even players like YOU see guys who you imagine are from another planet or two

Hey Alex, interesting point. I totally get where you’re coming from.

Hey Matt, great insight as always. The biggest jump for me was when I got to Double A. It was like all the guys with the tools really started to put it together. The consistency wasn't always there, but it's where talented guys turned in to ball players and knew what they were doing.

Thanks for the video! Very interesting! I don't play baseball but I am a fan of MLB and it's interesting to hear someone who played talk candidly about some "behind-the-scenes" stuff and the process of trying to make it to the major leagues. Thanks again!

I really appreciate the insight on subjects like this. Thanks for posting.

I was a serious prospect for the Red Sox circa 1977 when I was in middle school, or so I liked to believe.

I played in the military (Air Force) one year in 1970 before Nixon budget cuts did away with the team. We played mostly small colleges and some AA teams. It was primarily a PR group. Our level of play was probably your description of 'short season'. They are all good ball players, just not great yet or consistent. I've had 100mph fast balls behind my head on several occasions - quite disconcerting! As a catcher my cup got bent several times on plays at the plate. Your insights have brought back many great memories for . Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I once attended a try-out camp run by the Pirates and the Reds. I did pretty well but we just couldn't agree on a contract. I wanted to sign one, and they didn't want me to sign one.

I had a teacher in high school who in his younger days worked his way up through the minors as a pitcher. He had some great stories about the fun they had in the 1970s.

My home town hosts the Phillies AA team...don't live there anymore so I don't know if it's still the case, but so many players from the Phillies rehabbed there...half a season recovering with the little Phillies and back to the big phillies... it was awesome to watch these guys growing up play in our town, get autographs...it was because we were close to Philadelphia that they sent them there...they didn't need to find housing or anything...in less than an hour they could be in Philadelphia. The AAA park was much further away...🤷‍♂️

Really enjoy these videos. Thank you!

Really enjoyed this one. Cool to see that even as a player you were Wow'ed by some of the stuff you saw at AAA & MLB levels

I hear what you're saying with regard to skills at the AAA and Major League Level. One of my roommates and fraternity brothers walked on as a Junior at the Univ. of Florida. Later he was drafted by the Tigers...Scott Lusader. He had those freaky skills you talked about as an outfielder. At 5'9" and 165 he could throw from deep in the outfield with no hop straight into the catcher.

Damn Alex and his dumb questions :P Just found your channel man, really enjoying the insight from inside the game!

I’ve never even played baseball but really enjoy the videos. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome vid, love hearing all this info about baseball

Thank you! So interesting!!

Extracurricular obligations: are you forced to do photo shoots, submit baby pictures, do meet and greets at local restaurants/phone stores, radio shows, corporate meetings/speaking, make appearances etc etc or is that an on the side “my agent booked that for me” kind of thing. I think I know the answer because I once put together and managed corporate events for Mariano Rivera and also for Brian Cashman/Sandy Alderson but really just wondering how that all works.

Mexico has 2 pro leagues. Summer and winter. Alot of ex major leaguers play in the summer league when their mlb career is done. And alot of current minor leaguers and few major leaguers go to mexico and play winter ball in the off season.

I grew up going to AA games so I’m used to seeing that level of play. This past weekend I went to a college summer league game. The league is supposed to be one of the better college summer leagues, just below the Cape Cod League. I noticed a huge difference in the level of pitching between these guys and players at the AA level. I saw a pitcher fail to back up a throw from the outfield to 3rd base. When the ball got past the 3rd baseman the catcher wound up getting it leaving the plate uncovered. I also saw a pitcher fail to cover home on a passed ball. Matt mentioned a big jump up in the level of play when he reached AA. That goes with what I’ve heard about AA ball being the proving ground where the real prospects are separated from the pretenders. I think the jump up to AAA is huge because that’s where your facing guys with major league experience regularly for the first time. I remember reading 1 player saying that was the first time he faced pitchers who threw the ball out of the strike zone on purpose.

new sub who loves watching your vids. and I highly respect you for your experience and efforts in baseball and MLB. was wondering if you would consider making a vid about HUSTLE and its importance in making MLB. my dad [rip] who trained me drilled hustle into my head as much as any other bb skill. I don't always see some [not all] mlb players who take this to heart. MUCH RESPECT

Wanted to know the dugout atmosphere and pitcher reactions to defenders blowing a perfect game no no etc. Thanks for the videos. Really great insight.

Thanks for keeping it clean for the youngsters

I enjoy watching Rookie League games. Getting their baseball cards and hoping at least one of them becomes a super will known rookie in the Majors.

It was cool hearing the differences

My cousin Andrew Bellatti pitches for the Phillies and my friend Chris Donnell's was the number one pick of the Mets who also played for the Dodger's, D-Backs and a handful of other teams before he retired

Great insight

Thanks Alex for asking the question that a lot of people are afraid to admit that they wanted to ask themselves.

really really good break down. I played independent ball after NAIA college, I've always wondered where that would fall. My guess is right what is sounds like, less than all of it. We even had the 7th draft pick guy who failed miserably as our center fielder. I live in a city with AA baseball, lots of mid 90s - lots of future major leaguers come through.Im sending this video to mini tour and pro golfers and saying, "just think of everything said here, apply it to golf, and you will know where you're at."

Great content, thanks!

Great vid. Thanks.

Hi Matt Love Your Videos SO MUCH ❤️❤️❤️

love your description of AAA. off topic - would love your take on Bull Durham movie

Played in the rookie league back in 72 before it was the rookie league. There was no money then either. I was signed out of Puerto Rico where I played Double A with the Carolina Gaints as a catcher. Did extremely well and hit over .300. Got hit on a foul tip in my pinky finger hand so couldn't play and that was the end of baseball for me. There were lines after lines of players ready to play. Endup going to College for about a year then my army reserve unit got activated and by my luck spent 3 years digging fox holes and jumping out of airplanes in South East Asia. Would had love to stay playing baseball. War sucks!

For you old school guys I played softball with a guy that played minor league ball with Ron Gant and David Justice. He said those guys were so smooth, so fast and made it look easy. You knew they were going to The Show!

Awesome vid man

Loving all these videos lately

Smaller fields may be attendance in. AAA is what 10,000 - 12,000 and in smaller cities. Worcester, MA is getting the Pawsox in about 2 - 3 years.

Great vid as always

Great video

I don’t even watch baseball but I enjoy your insights.

You said more in fifteen minutes than those professional sports analysts say in three weeks.

Nice summary. Can you comment about the amount/quality of coaching that exists at each level? Thanks!

Awesome!

Matt, I heard the biggest difference between triple A and Major League for players was one big thing; consistency. Being able to do your position/hitting consistently night overnight. A triple-A player can play as good as an MLB player on any given night, but struggle more to do that consistently. How fair is that statement? Thanks for your videos, insight!

Very informative! Maybe Alex was asking if you could still play at that level after being out of the game for a while. Not about your skill level, which would obviously be far superior to any player on Clemson.

Great video, Matt. As I said in a comment below, I'm only sorry I didn't find you sooner. Question: What's your honest assessment of Tim Tebow the baseball player? Do players like you have any resentment towards someone who was obviously fast-tracked because of his name and celebrity? Or do you respect him for showing the success he had on the AA level despite having played so little baseball? Just curious what your take is. Thanks.

I love your channel. You may have addressed this, but what are things that keep pitchers and hitters in the minor leagues?

Not silly to me, and most of us, we never even got near a high school baseball and never saw, even a game. So we have zero idea of what its like to so , we listen to guys like U!

I was done when I could hear the pitches but not see them but I loved hot dogs so I became a fan.

CAN YOU MAKE A VIDEO GOING INTO DETAIL ABOUT HOW DIFF PITCHES LOOK AND BALL ROTATION AND GRIPS, ETC?

Mr.Antonelli, enjoy your channel. Had a question, would you have been a better hitter if you knew what the pitcher was going to pitch ? Thanks

Matt I really like your videos! I'm trying to walk on at my college, what do college coaches notice most in a player at walk on tryout?

Do you feel that at the lower levels, some AWESOME plays are made because the player doesn't know he cant do that, so he does? Take chances that pay that might be frowned on at higher levels? thx.

How about breaking down all the differences of pitches and what movement they have. Is a cutter a curve ball? A slider? Difference between a 2 seam fastball and a 4 seam? A fork ball?,ect.

Compared to a high school draftee, do college players have a more streamlined path to majors? Most high school prospects might spend two years in rookie level or a year per level where as college prospects seem to get to the majors in less than 2 years. Also, have you ever played in the Arizona Fall League and if so, how does compare?

Enjoyed the chat

Awesome to see your channel growing like crazy! Keep putting out content! What was your walk-up song?

Love the vids keep it up

Went to more than a few try out camps as a pitcher. Always threw to the batters. Always got looked at afterward. One time very closely by many scouts. They always wanted to see your fastball. Heck, I threw 85 tops and that's what they want to see 85 and above. Well, I threw like a veteran pitcher by then because I didn't have over powering stuff. I had a good curve (from multiple arm positions), a slider and even a decent split-finger, and a change up off any pitch. They weren't concerned with that at all. All they wanted was, like you say, a tool. Probably the best though as I think I'd have been at best a Double A player. Went to school and became a Doctor instead of floundering for years in the system.

Watched several videos of yours that were very informative. I have a grandson playing JV high school ball , and would like to here your take on the best avenues for him to reach the next level of play.

Love the vids I remember my first was what you get for free in the majors

Matt, did you ever get the option to play overseas?

I am a pitcher (switch) in youth baseball I pitch sidearm sliders and changeups I threw a slider bout 35 mph and this guy bombed it over the fence that’s my first time seeing some bomb a slow slider over the fence in my league

Tan! That’s my favorite color!!!

I watched a Angels game from the cheap seats and noticed how fast most groundballs were. You cant see that on TV that a groundball gets to the fielder in like 1/2 a second. crazy thing that they use aluminum bats in college the difference between using a aluminum bat and wood is like night and day.

Years ago I was told by a coach who played minor league ball that if you can succeed well at a D-1 you can hang at the low A level. Does that still hold true from your experience?

Great Insight Mike~YesYouHitItOnTheRightWords~IHaveBeenAFanOfTheGameForALongTime~IKnowWhatYouMean~MLBLevelIsAmazing👍👍👍😍😍😍

Holy shit, when I first watched this, I thought your buddy Alex asked if you could play at college baseball level NOW. He actually asked you when you were still playing for MLB teams. Wow.

I used to live in Pearl,MS where the the Braves Double-A team is. They put together an exhibition with the Braves Futures team (all the top prospects) going up against the actual Atlanta Braves. I'm figuring since it's the best of the best from the minors then it might be competitive game. Shiiiiid, as soon as BP started I knew it was going to be a massacre. First off all everyone from the Atlanta Braves looked huge. Jason Heyward looked like Cerrano from major league and Freddy Freeman was just as big. The crack of the bat sounded different, the trajectory of the ball was different when it left the bat, the sound of the ball hitting the mitt was different. When the Atlanta Braves hit homeruns the balls were so high in the air I thought they were fouls. The "Futures" couldn't hit the ball nor could they get the Atlanta Braves out. I was flabbergasted at the difference in the level of play. Also, I got to see Alex Wood and Ben Sheets. Now with Sheets he was rehabbing from an injury and he was already established but once again, I knew his stuff was different from everyone else. Alex Wood on the other hand was up and coming but I knew he wasn't long for Double-A either. He pitched Sundays and they used to have a promotion called the Wing-Stop challenge where if the pitchers got enough strikeouts to spell Wing-Stop (hyphen included) then everyone got 5 free wings. I ALWAYS went to the Sunday games because Alex Woods was gonna get those 9 strikeouts. I mean he had a 1.26 ERA who does that!?

Question: Can you tell a clear difference in play from people that played since childhood and other MLB players that maybe started late or played a different sport to start?

You have to also factor in the rough condition of some of the facilities in the low minors. You could bring in major leaguers into some of those facilities and they would struggle.

Another thing I’ve heard about major league play is that everything in the game becomes “faster”. You have to get rid of the ball as quickly as you can. A lot more “bang, bang” stuff happens...close plays. Runners are really digging it out hard. All of that stuff. I’m not a player but I heard a career minor leaguer say that once and it made a lot of sense to me. So that’s always been my big “impression” of the difference between aaa and the mlb.

As a fan when you factor value, skill and fun what level is the most fun to watch?

My biggest question is when you have a player that yoyos from the big leagues to Triple A what does he get paid and how does he get paid? So with the minimum salary is 540000 and from June 1st to June 27 hes in the bigs then they send a down from June 28 to July 1st then backup again how does that work for pay check?

Matt did you ever grow up seeing guys on your college team slip through the cracks of getting noticed? I knew a player who got drafted his third year university, went back to school and had even better numbers then went undrafted and is now back home. What’s your take on what goes through a scouts mind in these situations?

Baseball..the game that takes a lifetime to try to master and i can be over in a heartbeat...

Can you make a video about the different levels of MLB players? I always wondered how come some guys become average everyday players with long careers, some guys are "bench" players that only last a few years, and some guys are super stars. Is it simply a talent thing? Do some guys work harder than others? Is it lack of opportunity?

What would the level progress for someone like Harper and Soto and anyone who debuted at 19