Player drafted in 2019 maintains ties to organization from age 16

A player selected in the first round of the 2019 draft first wore the organization's uniform at age 16 on a scout team near his Southern California home. The area scout at the time identified the tall player and asked his high school coach and family to participate with the group. The player said the experience marked his first time wearing the uniform and playing against older players.

Scout advised focus on hitting The scout advised the player to keep a bat in his hands rather than focus solely on pitching. The player credited the advice for his development as a hitter. The scout attended a recent game to watch the player and said he had viewed him as athletic and capable of hitting for power.

Path included college and surgery The player underwent Tommy John surgery in college and transitioned to a full-time outfielder. He appeared in a game on Friday after an earlier stint in which he looked overmatched at the plate. The relationship with the scout, who also watched another Southern California player nearly a decade earlier, continued after the draft selection.