A dam Fogel was a solid regular in college for Hawaii and then Kentucky. But he never heard his name called in the draft, not after the number of rounds was reduced from 40 to 20 in 2021.
That may end up being the best thing that could have happened to him.
It’s been a circuitous route, but this year Fogel turned in one of the best seasons seen in an independent or MLB partner league in years.
The 26-year-old outfielder hit .388/.495/.773 with a Pioneer League record 35 home runs for Missoula. He tossed in another 27 doubles.
Missoula has long been considered a good place to hit, and the Pioneer League is a hitter-friendly league, but Fogel hit everywhere he played. He batted .403 and hit 18 of his 35 home runs in road games.
His 2024 season made him Baseball America’s Independent/Partner Leagues Player of the Year. And it was a wonderful validation of the decisions Fogel made a year ago.
Coming out of Kentucky in 2023, Fogel went to spring training with the Frontier League’s Ottawa Titans. He hit well, but there was one problem: His arm was unplayable in the outfield. He would sometimes bounce throws to the cutoff man.
Fogel went back to his California home and had his elbow checked out. The doctor found he had a completely torn ulnar collateral ligament.
In hindsight, Fogel admits he probably should have had his elbow checked out well before, but as a 24-year-old amateur at the time, a seven-month rehab from Tommy John surgery seemed like it could be a career ender.
So he spent a few weeks mulling over whether he even wanted to have his elbow repaired. Was it time to give up on baseball and move on?
Denne historien er fra December 2024/January 2025-utgaven av Baseball America.
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Denne historien er fra December 2024/January 2025-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
INDEPENDENT/PARTNER LEAGUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ADAM FOGEL, MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS
Adam Fogel sets the Pioneer League home run record in a season to remember
MINOR LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MIKE ABRAMSON, HARTFORD YARD GOATS
Hartford GM Mike Abramson’s tireless dedication has made the Yard Goats one of the best tickets in the minor leagues
FREITAS AWARD: CLASS A COLUMBIA FIREFLIES
The Columbia Fireflies light the way for a community redevelopment project that benefits an entire city
FREITAS AWARD: DOUBLE-A SOMERSET PATRIOTS
From indy ball to affiliated, Somerset continues its tradition of excellence in fruitful partnership with the Yankees
FREITAS AWARD: TRIPLE-A SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS
Key initiatives and facility upgrades make Sacramento a top minor league attraction and also a natural fit as the Athletics’ home in 2025
MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER OFTHEYEAR ZACH VINCEJ, MODESTO
Zach Vincej led Modesto to back-to-back California League championships with teams brimming with top Mariners talent
MINOR LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS
The low-payroll Guardians rely on homegrown talent to fuel MLB success. Midwest League-champion Lake County provides optimism for the future.
MLB COACH OF THE YEAR CHRIS FETTER, TIGERS
Chris Fetter applies all the right touches to a Tigers pitching staff that clawed its way toward the top
MLB EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MATT ARNOLD, BREWERS
Continuity is the Brewers’ secret weapon. Matt Arnold made sure the 2024 club met expectations
MLB MANAGER OF THE YEAR DAVE ROBERTS, DODGERS
The Dodgers’ Dave Roberts has done things few managers have ever done. Now, he’s finally getting his due.
