Did you know that there were roughly 470K high school baseball players in the ‘24-2025 season?
And from those, about 26K went on to play college ball.
Anyone wanting to make it to the Major Leagues –
only 0.5% will be drafted, and of those drafted – a mere 17% will get to play a single inning in a MLB game.
I’m no sports expert and I know the above doesn’t highlight all the various ways players can make it into the majors.
But, what I’m seeing with my non-statistician eyes is: getting onto a MLB team is HARD.
Becoming an active player? HARD AF.
Which means, when you are an active player on a MLB team, you’ve made it.
You are a top of the line, crème de la crème, elite athletic genius.
Bottom line: you absolutely have to have what it takes or you would not be there.
Which, you’d think, might make you, one of those above rare MLB players, a teeny bit cocky.
Maybe, a little, hoity-toity.
When I met @medinaluis03 of the Athletics, my first impression?
He was super nice. Not even a hint of hot shot.
He was laid back yet really excited to be photographed.
He had kind eyes and this zest for, everything.
It emanated off of him in waves.
As we worked together, he spoke of his love for all he’s experienced, on taking chances and fully embracing life and, honestly, his positive outlook was infectious.
Because of his attitude I kinda had to became an Athletics fan.
(sorry to my New England family & friends)
It is amazing to see someone so lovely and so filled with a rich desire to take hold of everything life has to offer, make it in their desired profession.
And, encourage others to do the same.
Whether with his words, his brilliant smile, or his love of the game.
And before anyone comes in here and gets a little grumpy about sports and winning vs losing, let me remind you, this is a page about photography.
And about the amazing people I encounter and am so grateful to connect with and capture.
It is not a place to air grievances about a game. Or a player.
If you do that, I’m gonna say some words to you.
So, behave.
Or, take a page out of Luis’ book:
be cool, be kind, and enjoy this one amazingly wild life you were gifted.
Now, let’s play ball!
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