JIM'S JOURNEY
Jim Paduch has been around a while, just not always in the same place.
By Austin Henson
History shows that minor league baseball players bounce from team to team more often than not. Jim Paduch’s career is a textbook example of this.
“This is my sixth spring training in Florida, 10th overall,” Paduch said, at the Rays’ training facility in Port Charlotte, Fla. “I was signed by the Rays in June of 2011, so this is my second spring training with Tampa.”
“I spent four years with Cincinnati, then I spent four plus years in independent baseball,” Paduch said. There’re not too many teams I didn’t play for [there].
There are eight different independent leagues throughout the United States, with 61 teams playing within them. Paduch played in Indiana for the Gary Railcats and Evansville Otters, in Illinois for the Rockford Riverhawks, in Nebraska for the Lincoln Saltdogs and in California for the Chico Outlaws.
Independent baseball leagues are located around the country and aren’t associated with the MLB directly, but many players find their way from the independents to the minors.
“I think the biggest difference is that the independent leagues are about winning and performance, while affiliate baseball in the minors is more about development,” Paduch said.
Paduch also said that he came to the minors to work on his specific pitches and to prove that he can strike out batters. He also wanted to put up the numbers he knows he’s capable of putting up.
“Jim is a good, solid player and has pitched well for us,” Jim Morrison, minor league coach for the Rays, said. “We’re looking forward to him having another solid season.”
The Rays’ organization is well known for developing talent through the minor leagues. Notable alumni of their minor league teams include Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Chipper Jones.
“I think the majority of [success] starts with the coaching staff,” Paduch said. “It comes from the philosophy and attitudes they develop from the minor leagues all the way up to the big leagues.”
Even in a successful organization, Paduch knows that his journey, filled with winding roads, is still far from being over.
“It’s not about the end result…it’s about the journey. I’m enjoying my time and when the end result comes…hopefully it’ll be sunshine and rainbows…” Paduch said with a chuckle.
“Fortunately enough I’m here and we’ll see where this takes me.”
Mapping Jim's Career
Take a look at where Jim Paduch has played over the years
Video by Austin Henson
Paduch trains in Sarasota, Florida at the Ray's practice fields.
Paduch works with his teammates to build arm strength.
BSU student Brian Weiss holds the boom mic for Paduch's interview.
Paduch trains in Sarasota, Florida at the Ray's practice fields.
Gallery by Lacy Bursick