The Hitting Zone

With the food coming out and being placed in front of us, the conversation slowly drifted away from the twins. I knew it wasn't really over for good with Dave still in talks with the coach and whatnot, but I didn't expect Kyle approaching Jeremy as we were leaving the restaurant later that night.

"Hey, Jeremy?" He called out as Mom and Dad said a more private goodbye to Zeke.

Jeremy turned to him, stopping our small talk about baseball equipment. "Yea? What's up?"

Kyle shook his phone to draw attention to it. "Do you think I can get your number? I may have some questions for you about getting drafted and going through the minors."

"Sure thing!" Jeremy shared his number before saying, "You didn't have to ask me straight up. You could have gotten it from Jake or Noah. Even your parents. Just don't be selling the number online." He joked.

"Not like we'd get much for it." Dave laughed. However he still added the number in his contacts too. "I always thought Zeke would be the first person I know to go pro."

Kyle glanced at Zeke, who was still busy with our parents and Grampa. Then he looked back at us and lowered his voice. "Do you guys think I can make it to the show before Zeke since I'll have a year head start? Maybe two if he stays for his junior year."

Noah grinned. "Wouldn't that be nice? Tough competition though."

"Depends on a lot of different factors." Jeremy told us. "What the organization needs and when they'll need it. If you're good enough to climb high up. If a team needs pitchers immediately and drafts pitchers, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a chance early." Jeremy gave a small shrug. "I think the average of years spent in the minors is 4 to 6 years. Even then, about a third of the guys don't even get a chance at the majors." He looked directly at Kyle. "You have to be 100% positive that this is the path you want to take. If it doesn't work out, you can go back to college for an education, but there's no college ball to play once you sign that contract."

Kyle pumped his fist. "This is what I want to do."

"What happens if you don't get drafted?" I asked, unsure.

"You find a community college or something." Noah was the one to answer.

We talked some more about the differences between getting drafted or going to college. Then it was time to say goodbye. Jeremy still had to drop off Zeke back at his school on top of the hour plus drive back to the bay. The rest of us headed home.

Noah shocked all of us by being the first one to talk about homework. "Don't forget to do your homework, you guys. It'll be better for us if we stay on top of it so no one struggles when we start having to miss class for games."

"We don't need you to remind us." Kyle rolled his eyes.

Dave laughed at his twin. "Why are you butthurt about it? Not like grades matter to you now."

"You don't know that. I still have to have a college option to fall back on if I don't get drafted when I would like. I'm not trying to struggle from the 40th round." Kyle fired back. "If im that low, I'll try school."

Mom looked hopeful.

"But considering I had some ranking last year, I hope to be higher." Kyle said.

"When do you think player rankings will come out again?"

"County? Probably soon. Mr. Cameron said after the New Year during that tourney. State? I don't know, but maybe near the same time. Nationwide? I have no idea."

The conversation shifted as we got to our room and pulled out our schoolwork.

"Jake will be in the top three!" Noah smiled and patted my shoulder, reminding me what Mr. Cameron said.

I have a weak smile back; Not exactly excited about the attention that'll come down.

"I hope we can break the top ten." Dave looked at Kyle. "We're behind Garret obviously, but not many can compare to our numbers in our own league."

"Just showing up is the first step." Kyle said confidently. "That and making the list for state and nation. I don't care how high I am, as long as I can get my name showing up in front of the scouts."

"With Jake on our team, scouts will show up. You just have to make sure every start on the mound counts." Noah pointed out.

"You're pretty upbeat for someone who won't be making the list for top players in the county." Kyle squinted at Noah.

Noah shrugged. "I thought it through. Zeke wasn't on any list his sophomore year. I shouldn't mind too much. Maybe by the end of the season though, things will change."

My lips twitched. He stole that from Rhys. I was there for that pep talk.

The talking came to a standstill as we all got to work. After finishing, it was already getting super late. I changed into my pajamas and wrapped myself up in my comforter.

Kyle was last to bed, meaning he had to turn the lights off. Just as I was about to doze off, he spoke into the darkness. "If I don't get drafted and end up going to a community college, would you guys make fun of me?"

"Absolutely." Dave answered immediately, laughing to himself.

"Albert Pujols went to one." Noah said.

"But he's a hitter." Kyle pointed out.

"Can't say I know any pitchers off the top of my head." Noah sighed. "I won't make fun of you because some college is better than no college. And I'll be a part of the no college crowd." I could hear him grinning.

"Just aim for being drafted in the tenth round or better." Dave said, no longer making fun of him. "Those guys can get a signing bonus over six figures. So if you don't make it in the minors, you can just retire and go to a college that'll take your old ass then."

Kyle scoffed, but didn't say anything against Dave's point.

"You should ask Jeremy about signing bonuses." Noah added. "He would know more." He paused before adding some more. "Community college is just an extra two years of training. If we don't get drafted at all after high school, we'll put in more work."

"Yea." Kyle agreed.

"Any clue what you want to do in the future, Jake?" Dave asked.

"Sleep." I yawned and flipped over in my bed. The three of them got a laugh, but thankfully gave it a rest.

The rest of the week flew by as we got some training, practicing and lifting in. Garret took more of a leadership role as the days passed. Noah wasn't that much different, but I noticed that between the start and end of practice, he didn't goof off at all. He was also getting better during our time at The Cages. Just a lot more focused.

It felt weird though that he didn't brag to our classmates when word got out that he was the vice captain. If anyone would ask, he would just nod and say a few words, acting like it was nothing. I knew he was excited deep down though. This was something that Zeke and the twins didn't do. He felt accomplished and that was enough for me. I like the fun Noah, but I also didn't mind the cool-headed Noah. He could save his antics for our free time so I wouldn't have to run laps.