Baseball at its top level can be a numbers game.
An estimated 14 million people play baseball in the United States alone. There were 34,554 players in NCAA baseball programs alone and many more at the High School level. Major League teams control 1,200 players on the 40-man roster with only 750 active at any one time during the season.
Ryan Atkinson has earned his way to Major League spring training with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a non-roster invitee. He will be among 25 pitchers competing for a spot with on the roster.
"We don't have it mapped out yet but he will get some innings in Major League games in the Cactus League," said the Diamondbacks' Vice President of Player Development Mike Bell, who is a Moeller High School grad and the son of former Red Buddy Bell and grandson of former Red Gus Bell. "There is a good chance that he will start in the minor leagues after spring training but he's in the conversation and has a chance. That's all you can ask for to be ready when there's a need."
Atkinson is a model of persistence.
The righthanded pitcher was not drafted out of Colerain High School or the University of Cincinnati, where his pitching coach JD Heilmann was a high school teammate of Bell's at Moeller.
'I talked to him about Ryan but that didn't influence our decision to bring him to spring training," Bell said 'He earned it. He has a good stuff and had a very good year as we moved him through the system last year."
Atkinson left Cincinnati and entered the workforce with a nutrition degree as a personal trainer. The itch to play baseball returned to him after a year without even picking up a baseball. He wrote to the Independent Frontier League and was granted a tryout with the Evansville Otters. Chris Carminucci, the Diamondbacks' scout assigned to the independent leagues was impressed and recommended the Otters sign him. After 5 2/3 innings with the Otters, the Diamondbacks offered him a contract
Atkinson completed his first full season in professional baseball to earn the invitation to pitch against Major Leaguers in Cactus League games. The 24-year old started in Low A and advanced two levels to Double A where he finished the season with the Jackson Generals.
Over the three stops, Atkinson made 26 starts and logged 141 2/3 innings. He had a 9-10 record with a 3.30 ERA. He walked 60 and struck out 167, the most in the Diamondbacks farm system.
The Diamondbacks sent him to the prestigious Arizona Fall League, where he started six more games, pitched 21 innings with an even 3.00 ERA and a 1-2 record. He struck out 23 and issued 15 walks.
Mill informed Atkinson with a phone call during one of his personal training sessions.
"I was highly excited," Atkinson said. "I felt another door had opened for me too prove myself at the highest level. I am very thankful to the Diamondbacks, for trusting me; believing in me and as always, giving me this opportunity."
It is rare for a player with just one season of professional baseball to be invited to spring training the next year. It is even unusual for a high draft choice let alone someone signed after a year off.
"It has happened before but it is not normal," Bell said. 'Sometimes a pitcher just grows into it. Ryan has good stuff. He's a great kid, very respectful."
Mike Leake made pitched in the Major Leagues for the Reds without a day in the minor leagues. Scott Williamson, who was a ninth round pick of the Reds in 1997, made the Reds'zAA staff in 1999 with similar minor league experience to Atkinson's.
Bell cited Atkinson's "stuff" is very good and worked well at every level. "Chris Carminucci liked his stuff the first time he saw him."
Many players have good enough stuff to be successful. Atkinson pitched to Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers during a rehab assignment this summer. "He has the stuff to be successful on the big leagues," Braun said. "Those who make it are the ones that can be consistent with their pitches."
That is just what Atkinson wants to work on among other goals in spring training.
"I have the opportunity to learn from who are long term big leaguers," Atkinson said. "I am going to absorb the knowledge to improve my game and be a big league pitcher. I look at this as an opportunity to show what kind of player/person I can be on and off the field. I want to gain quality relationships with players and staff. That can be as important along with performance, to gain the confidence with your peers."
Atkinson has things he wants to work on skills he needs as a successful pitcher.
"I want to work on all aspects of my game but most importantly staying consistent," Atkinson said. "I don't want to change a lot but I want to be efficient pitching to hitters. I want to continue to use my strengths."
Realistically, Atkinson will start the season in the minor leagues Bell pointed out but he has a chance to take the place of one of the 20 pitchers on the Diamondbacks 40-man roster if not one of the 12-13 pitchers Arizona will carry on the Major League roster. Atkinson is one of four non-roster righthanded pitchers in the mix. They invited one non-roster lefthander.
Atkinson is aware of the odds first hand, having gotten to this point through his own self determination. He made his own breaks, giving him a chance to be something special.
"I am using this chance to work hard," Atkinson said. "I can compete within the organization and more importantly, help this team get into the playoffs and continue to be a winning organization."
