The happiest spring training invitee
If he isn't the happiest non-roster player that got an invitation to the Orioles' Major League spring training camp, than he's right up there.
Less than two years after being drafted in round seven in 2008, catcher Caleb Joseph will rub elbows with the big boys in Sarasota starting next month.
He and 11 others have been invited to big league camp.
For Joseph, a Carolina League post-season All-Star in 2009, it's a wonderful moment that came faster than even he thought it might.
"It's something I didn't expect, but it was in the back of my mind, knowing they do take extra catchers. When they told me, I was the happiest guy on earth. Just a few years ago, I was watching some of these guys on TV. This is surreal," the 23-year-old from Lipscomb University said.
"I'm going to just try and learn as much as I can. I'm not going to try and be someone I'm not. Don't go out to impress people, just go out there and play my game and work hard and maybe make an impact on Dave (Trembley). Whether I am there a week or two weeks I will enjoy my time, soak every bit of it up and live the dream.
"I'm so excited. It will be an amazing experience I will never forget."
Caleb hit .284-12-60 for the Frederick Keys last season. He led the league in hitting for much of the year before a late slump and was batting .342 as late as mid July. He finished 8th in the league in batting.
Joseph spoke by phone from Pensacola, Florida where he is working out and rooming with Tyler Townsend, the O's third-round pick last June.
In December Joseph joined Brian Matusz and Brian Roberts for three weeks at Athletes Performance Institute in Phoenix. He said Roberts was very helpful.
"He really opened up and was friendly to me," Joseph said.
The right-handed hitter weighed 182 pounds at the end of last year. He would like to play at 195 this season and add strength to finish strong in 2010.
Before Joseph got the good news about heading to Sarasota, he got the news in December that he was rated by Baseball America as the O's 10th best prospect.
"That was a goal of mine. You like to get recognized even though the team is the thing. But that was rewarding and some pieces are all coming together for me."
Now Joseph will be in spring camp with Matt Wieters, a player he met briefly before.
"When I met Matt last year I asked him to sign a ball for me. I'm still a fan too. Now I can meet Matt as possibly a teammate. I'll watch him and take what he does well and maybe implement that into my game. It will be nice to establish a relationship with Matt. My goal is to be his backup for 20 years."
More on Joseph:
*He had 23 doubles and two triples for Frederick in 2009, he hit .335 before the All-Star game but just .156 in August.
*Baseball America named him the best defensive catcher in the O's farm system.
*He hit .293 with runners in scoring position and went 5 for 9 with the bases loaded.
*Joseph was named the winner of the 2009 Elrod Hendricks award for minor league community service.
*His younger brother Corban, a Yankees 4th-round pick in 2008 and a second baseman, hit .300 last season in the South Atlantic League.
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
He needs to set his goals higher. He could be the starter when Wieters moves to first base in a few years.
Seeing Caleb was shocked to be invited to Sarasota, who in your mind was a shocker to be invited or not invited to major league camp this spring?
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There were no "shockers" to me. Some were disappointed that Zach Britton was not on the list. My guess is because the minor league camp is so close now that he will make his way at some point into Major Lg camp for Trembley and the coaches to get a look at him. Before too long, his day wil come too.....Steve
I talked to Caleb last night, and he is supper excited. It's great. If Weiters could move to first, or is Caleb could it would make things a whole lot easier!
Seems like a great guy. I hope it works out for him. Who knows, we could need a new backup by 2011...
I was a little shocked that Blake Davis was not invited to the major league camp. I thought they would give him a shot this year to be the utility guy.
I have seen his interviews and used to read his blog before it got taken down. Joseph is a very welcome addition to a group of very well-spoken, well-rounded young people on this club. I root for his success, and hope he doesn't get blocked by Wieters somehow. He seems to have all the tools to be a Big League success some day.
Caleb 100%+ deserves to be invited to the Major League Spring Training non-roster invitee; he is such an inspiring player to kids, college kids and many more. He as well as most of the players has dreamt of becoming an Oriole and he WILL one day. Caleb is one of the greatest players that you will ever meet;
He also sleeps in the clubhouse on occasion and goes to see games on his days off.
I am thinking he might have a future in managment at some point.
Awesome kid he is going to be a good one and even sells himself short . I like to see this attitude from these guy's.
Watching Caleb at Frederick last year, he deserves this. He is going to make an inpression on Dave Trembley.