An Untapped Competitive Advantage?

[The Tax Man]

Today on .com, Jimmy the Wulf points out that the facilities in minor league baseball are laughable compared to other sports. And he wonders if this is a potential place for a major league team to gain a competitive advantage by upgrading the facilities available to their prospects. Do you agree or disagree? Why do you think these teams (some of which are worth a close to or over a billion dollars) aren't investing in their minor league facilities? 
 
For me, personally, I can't help but wonder if this is part of the reason the Sox are moving their AAA affiliate to Providence with a new stadium. Is it going to be a state-of-the-art facility for their prospects to train?

 

[terrynever]

The PawSox locker room and training facilities were upgraded a decade ago and are top-rate.

 

[jscola85]

The PawSox locker room and training facilities were upgraded a decade ago and are top-rate.

 
Not to mention that they are also planning to build a brand new stadium for the AAA team.  Hadlock is also a beautiful ballpark.

 

[shaggydog2000]

Today on .com, Jimmy the Wulf points out that the facilities in minor league baseball are laughable compared to other sports. And he wonders if this is a potential place for a major league team to gain a competitive advantage by upgrading the facilities available to their prospects. Do you agree or disagree? Why do you think these teams (some of which are worth a close to or over a billion dollars) aren't investing in their minor league facilities? 
 
For me, personally, I can't help but wonder if this is part of the reason the Sox are moving their AAA affiliate to Providence with a new stadium. Is it going to be a state-of-the-art facility for their prospects to train?

 
There is some effect from the Major League teams not really owning the minor league teams but just loaning out the players to them.  If they don't own the ballpark they can't demand million dollar training/weight room upgrades, or expansive daily food spreads.  Those expenses are covered by small local franchises that aren't making all that much money.  At least not compared to the Red Sox.  If the Major league teams do invest in building the facilities for the teams, it makes it a fixed cost for the team, which companies like to avoid if they can.  Now if things don't work out, they can just shift to another minor league team, which happens relatively often.  
 
But reading about the low minors and how poorly the players who aren't top prospects live, eat, and train, you'd think it would be worth the investment to give them proper training facilities and nutrition just if it produced one more major league player out of all the marginal prospects.  Dorms, a cafeteria, and a weight room for 25 people doesn't sound like a huge investment, but like I said, it shifts a fixed cost back to the team.  

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

The PawSox locker room and training facilities were upgraded a decade ago and are top-rate.

 
There's something other than the machines in/near the batting cages?

That fitness area looks terribly weak

 

[WenZink]

 
There is some effect from the Major League teams not really owning the minor league teams but just loaning out the players to them.  If they don't own the ballpark they can't demand million dollar training/weight room upgrades, or expansive daily food spreads.  Those expenses are covered by small local franchises that aren't making all that much money.  At least not compared to the Red Sox.  If the Major league teams do invest in building the facilities for the teams, it makes it a fixed cost for the team, which companies like to avoid if they can.  Now if things don't work out, they can just shift to another minor league team, which happens relatively often.  
 
But reading about the low minors and how poorly the players who aren't top prospects live, eat, and train, you'd think it would be worth the investment to give them proper training facilities and nutrition just if it produced one more major league player out of all the marginal prospects.  Dorms, a cafeteria, and a weight room for 25 people doesn't sound like a huge investment, but like I said, it shifts a fixed cost back to the team.  

 
The Salem (VA) Red Sox have been owned by the Fenway Sports Group for 8 years, so I would expect that the facilities would be well above the norm. And now the PawSox are part of the Sports Group, as well.   I'm not sure of the extent of the affiliation with the Greenville Drive or the Portland SeaDogs.
 
In the last 10 years, the Red Sox have come a long way in stabilizing their minor league system.  Back in 2006, their A+ team affiliation with Wilmington was not renewed because the owner was upset that they promoted too many key players during the season and thus hurting the team's box office receipts.  This resulted in a two-year exile to Lancaster in the California League where they played in a park with high winds that distorted hitting and pitching metrics.
 
I'd be interested in the clubhouse and training facilities at Salem, Greenville and Portland and how they compare to the rest of baseball.
 
Another point not mentioned is the "caste" system that might exist in the low minors between the higher draft picks who have received significant signing bonuses vs those players that were signed for little money.  Imagine the poorer players trying to survive on slave wages compared to the more fortunate 20 year olds who use the meal allowance per-diem to fill up the gas tanks of their Chevy Silverado.

 

[tbrown_01923]

I wondered about facilities, training (on field and off field), diet, and mentoring as things that could be examined.  I also wonder about scouting staff and the dollars spent there, as a place to exert extra means.  Having good weight rooms is greatly improved with the right personal trainers on staff.

 

[Rasputin]

To me, the big thing is nutrition. I'm not sure there's much in the way of fitness facilities that isn't replicated in a thousand gyms all over the country, but the per diem the guys get simply doesn't allow them to eat the way they should.
 
Considering that a lot of these guys are in their teens when they're in the low minors, I would think that spending a few million dollars to ensure these kids have the fuel they need to develop into high performing professional athletes would have enormous returns.
 
Of course, I also think paying career minor leaguers an actual living wage would be a competitive advantage, but I'm sure that makes me a fucking socialist or something.

 

[tbrown_01923]

To me, the big thing is nutrition....Considering that a lot of these guys are in their teens when they're in the low minors.

 
100%  I guess the livable wage thing too - but more because it is right than for because it is exploitable for an on field advantage.  I just don't see a19 year old choosing asparagus and grilled salmon over the big mac and large fry regardless of an increase in expendable income.

 

[Rasputin]

 
100%  I guess the livable wage thing too - but more because it is right than for because it is exploitable for an on field advantage.  I just don't see a19 year old choosing asparagus and grilled salmon over the big mac and large fry regardless of an increase in expendable income.

 
Even if they wanted too, they can't. What do they get, like eight bucks a day or something?
 
If I owned a major league franchise, I'd be buying hotels to house the players at all the minor league levels with nutritionists and chefs to provide them good, healthy meals and some lessons on what to eat. It might not be perfectly replicatable on the road, but I'd do my best.

 

[LahoudOrBillyC]

College sports programs provide basically free healthy food to their athletes 365 days a year. This seems like the number one issue to me, not the quality of the weight room.

 

[Fred not Lynn]

If you can hook up every player in the system with year round access to reasonable accommodation and proper athletically nutritional meals, the actual pay part shouldn't be nearly as big an issue.

 

[brandonchristensen]

I can't remember who told me this, someone who flamed out in the minors, but he said that the Yankees system hooks their players up compared to a lower budget team he was with. 
 
Cleats and bats all paid for, things like that. They make crap money, so they need all the help they can get.

 

[tbrown_01923]

 
Even if they wanted too, they can't. What do they get, like eight bucks a day or something?
 
If I owned a major league franchise, I'd be buying hotels to house the players at all the minor league levels with nutritionists and chefs to provide them good, healthy meals and some lessons on what to eat. It might not be perfectly replicatable on the road, but I'd do my best.

 
Agreed.  I can't believe how much my tastes have changed in 15 yrs.  I don't know how much of it was means as opposed to exposure, Who cares - the end is the most important piece.  Lets pay them and give them proper guidance...

 

[mauf]

How do you get minor leaguers to eat better?
 
Sure, you can get a caterer to do a healthy nightly spread, but I don't think clubhouse spreads consist of french fries and donuts currently. Also, I doubt many minor leaguers are so hard up that they'll hang around the park all day to get free food. 
 
Some minor leaguers might eat better when they're on their own if you paid them a living wage, but others would probably put the money to worse uses -- not every 19-20 year old will make productive use out of a couple grand per month of extra walking-around money.

 

[Sampo Gida]

How much would it cost to build a dorm near each minor league facility (or buy a building to be used as such) and equip it with a cafeteria and gym to provide food and training facilities. Its got to be a drop in the bucket relative to overall revenue, and perhaps could even be used for year long use by some of the players who prefer not to live with their parents in the offseason.  For those who don't get large bonuses, 5-10 K a year is not enough to live on, although I guess some supplement the income in the offseason working or in winterball .
 
There is a reason many athletes choose football and basketball over baseball, living conditions sound brutal for the first few years .  Players might be more signable if the Red Sox upgraded living standards for minor league players, not to mention becoming better players.
 
edit- I see Rasputin beat me to that, read through the thread too quick I guess

 

[brandonchristensen]

How do you get minor leaguers to eat better?
 
Sure, you can get a caterer to do a healthy nightly spread, but I don't think clubhouse spreads consist of french fries and donuts currently. Also, I doubt many minor leaguers are so hard up that they'll hang around the park all day to get free food. 
 
Some minor leaguers might eat better when they're on their own if you paid them a living wage, but others would probably put the money to worse uses -- not every 19-20 year old will make productive use out of a couple grand per month of extra walking-around money.

I wouldn't be sure of that. They're athletes, they need to eat. They're usually in small towns where there may be a bar open or something but they are typically broke and need whatever they can get.
 
I agree about them deserving a living wage, though. 

 

[jscola85]

How do you get minor leaguers to eat better?
 
Sure, you can get a caterer to do a healthy nightly spread, but I don't think clubhouse spreads consist of french fries and donuts currently. Also, I doubt many minor leaguers are so hard up that they'll hang around the park all day to get free food. 
 
Some minor leaguers might eat better when they're on their own if you paid them a living wage, but others would probably put the money to worse uses -- not every 19-20 year old will make productive use out of a couple grand per month of extra walking-around money.

 
Actually, french fries are a pretty common occurrence from what I have heard from former minor leaguers.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

We have a Cubs affiliate for the low minors (rookie) and they have to stay with host families during the season - not sure if that is a common amongst all teams or not. 

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

We have a Cubs affiliate for the low minors (rookie) and they have to stay with host families during the season - not sure if that is a common amongst all teams or not. 

It's not uncommon at all. I don't know if it's required, but I know folks who have taken in Sea Dogs players in that fashion.

 

[reggiecleveland]

I went to a AAA game in Vegas and was abit surprised at how small time it was. The guys came out of the dressing room eating sandwiches, and piled into cars. Brandon Nimmo who was BA #48 was discussing what fast food place to "hit on the way to the club." Now in AAA most of the guys are older and have a job in case somebody gets hurt and they need to play ten games or pitch six or seven innings once or twice a year. But, it shocked me that a guy the Mets think could be their lead off hitter one day,drafted #13, gave 2 million bucks is living like a junior hockey player heading to Mickey Ds with some floozies.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

We have a Cubs affiliate for the low minors (rookie) and they have to stay with host families during the season - not sure if that is a common amongst all teams or not. 

I worked for the Lake Monsters a few years back. Yeah that was common then. Plus there was really nothing the screamed state of the art about the stadium. Kind of a past relic. Nice place to take batting practice though.

 

[LoweTek]

I have a friend whose son came through the Royals system in the early 90's, got to AA and was released after one full AA season. Paraphrasing, he makes an interesting,  albeit cynical observation about the Minor leagues (up to AA). He says the only reason 90% of the players are there is to provide competition for the couple of dozen 'real' prospects in most organizations. He points out they release hundreds of players every year to make room for the more eager draftees. It is a mathematical truth if nothing else.
 
I see the point of several of the arguments here but in the end, teams are financing these facilities and programs for a very few who will ultimately contribute to the MLB roster, be it directly or as trade fodder.
 
God bless the coaches and baseball staff at Rookie, short season and Low A teams They do a lot of babysitting teenagers who come in with huge egos who are soon to discover (or refuse to come to terms with the fact) they are no longer the best player on their own team much less in a district, region or league. Lots of local high school superstars still in their teens, some enormously talented, never get past this obstacle alone.
 
Perhaps sports psychologists is where one investment increase ought to be directed. It may be possible to salvage some value from some of these guys. It's amazing how many of them never get their heads on straight and flame out.

 

[SoxJox]

College sports programs provide basically free healthy food to their athletes 365 days a year. This seems like the number one issue to me, not the quality of the weight room.

This is not necessarily true across all sports.  My daughter had a D-1 scholarship for equestrian and, although the team had a certified nutritionist on the staff who actively counseled the team, and they had regularly scheduled weight/strength training sessions in addition to their practices, the individual members were left basically to eat on their own (i.e., no team dining experience with food served as something different than what was available in the dorm dining halls)

 

[WenZink]

I have a friend whose son came through the Royals system in the early 90's, got to AA and was released after one full AA season. Paraphrasing, he makes an interesting,  albeit cynical observation about the Minor leagues (up to AA). He says the only reason 90% of the players are there is to provide competition for the couple of dozen 'real' prospects in most organizations. He points out they release hundreds of players every year to make room for the more eager draftees. It is a mathematical truth if nothing else.
 
I see the point of several of the arguments here but in the end, teams are financing these facilities and programs for a very few who will ultimately contribute to the MLB roster, be it directly or as trade fodder.
 
God bless the coaches and baseball staff at Rookie, short season and Low A teams They do a lot of babysitting teenagers who come in with huge egos who are soon to discover (or refuse to come to terms with the fact) they are no longer the best player on their own team much less in a district, region or league. Lots of local high school superstars still in their teens, some enormously talented, never get past this obstacle alone.
 
Perhaps sports psychologists is where one investment increase ought to be directed. It may be possible to salvage some value from some of these guys. It's amazing how many of them never get their heads on straight and flame out.

 
Great insight, thanks.
 
This makes me even more curious about the presence and effects of a "caste-system" in the minors, between the kids that got some bonus and have money in their pockets vs the have-nots.  Not to mention the latitude given to the kids signed for significant money, vs the others -- in both behavior and field performance.

 

[reggiecleveland]

Junior hockey underwent a major overhaul on these matters in the early 90s. Now these were 15-19 years old kids, but still they got money from the NHL to develop prospects. The focus had been on product on the ice, providing a challenge to the 2 or 3 prospects on each team. The age difference is huge, so school was part of it, but they looked at nutrition, medical care, etc too. Now there is a doctor at every game and he makes the call on concussions, etc. It has been a stark change since in the past these kids ran wild, didn't look after themselves, alcoholism was a huge problem etc. None of these problems are gone but they are much better now that the focus has been switched away from the just the stars.
 
Does anybody have any info on this. Is AA given more money? Seems the studs only make pitstops in AAA. The AAA teams are full of 26 year old guys that know how to play but have one flaw or another. The offer a good test to the kids. Do they look after the AA guys better since most of the AAA guys are men and long term pros?