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Pittsburgh, Pa. - For close to a month, Ed Trujillo was living the dream. After finishing his high school career batting .433/.470/.606 as a senior, he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 first year player draft. He had reported to Miami Beach to play for the Flamingo's...but the AB's never came. Less than a month after he was drafted, he was released.
With his baseball career in doubt, Trujillo went back to Silver Spring Maryland and thought about what he wanted to do with his life. He had just agreed to attend the University of Maryland for the spring semester of 2010, where he'd major in Business when he got the phone call that changed his life.
"One of the area scouts called me and asked me if I wanted to come to spring training for the Millers in 2010, he said he liked me in the draft and wants to give me another shot." Trujillo said.
"I remember watching him that spring," GM Mike C said, "he was a horrendous defender, but the exit velocity of his bat hitting the ball was so intriguing, I thought that with some refinement he'd have a chance to be successful."
So with an impressive showing in the minor league camp, Trujillo found himself ticketed for Reading to play professional baseball.
In his first full season in the pros, Trujillo hit an uninspiring .234/.279/.305 with a negative WAR. That offseason however, he worked out with former Miller 1B and fellow Puerto Rican, Jordan Camejo on a refined hitting approach.
To start the 2011 season, Trujillo batted .483 in single A before immediately getting called up to AA as a 20 year old. He finished the season batting .256 but there were definite improvements to his game that were noticeable to former head scout, Dave Hamilton.
"I think 2011 was really when Trujillo busted onto our radar, I know overtime I watched him play, my opinion of his ratings changed. The kid has a chance to stick in the pros and be a starting 2B or 3B for 10 years" Hamilton said.
In 2012, Trujillo hit .305/.372/.405 on his way to being a AA Allstar. After playing in the ASG, he was sent to AAA where he batted .288 with a .330 OBP to finish the season. Each level he's been in, he's been considered a team leader and has gained the respect early of his teammates.
Finally, at the start of the 2013 season, the Allentown Talons second baseman entered the year ready to make his mark on the league. In 66 games for Allentown, Trujillo hit .335/.390/.447/.837, started the AAA ASG and was one of two players to play the entire game. Defensively, Trujillo posted a +4.5 ZR at 2B and +1.5 at 3B, all in all he was worth 3.0 in less than half of the season.
On Wednesday, July 3rd, Ed Trujillo will start his first game for the Pittsburgh Millers at 2B.
"I'm excited to be here. I can't wait to experience what the BLB is really like, it's been my dream to play for this organization that gave me a second chance. I hope I can contribute the best I can."
With his baseball career in doubt, Trujillo went back to Silver Spring Maryland and thought about what he wanted to do with his life. He had just agreed to attend the University of Maryland for the spring semester of 2010, where he'd major in Business when he got the phone call that changed his life.
"One of the area scouts called me and asked me if I wanted to come to spring training for the Millers in 2010, he said he liked me in the draft and wants to give me another shot." Trujillo said.
"I remember watching him that spring," GM Mike C said, "he was a horrendous defender, but the exit velocity of his bat hitting the ball was so intriguing, I thought that with some refinement he'd have a chance to be successful."
So with an impressive showing in the minor league camp, Trujillo found himself ticketed for Reading to play professional baseball.
In his first full season in the pros, Trujillo hit an uninspiring .234/.279/.305 with a negative WAR. That offseason however, he worked out with former Miller 1B and fellow Puerto Rican, Jordan Camejo on a refined hitting approach.
To start the 2011 season, Trujillo batted .483 in single A before immediately getting called up to AA as a 20 year old. He finished the season batting .256 but there were definite improvements to his game that were noticeable to former head scout, Dave Hamilton.
"I think 2011 was really when Trujillo busted onto our radar, I know overtime I watched him play, my opinion of his ratings changed. The kid has a chance to stick in the pros and be a starting 2B or 3B for 10 years" Hamilton said.
In 2012, Trujillo hit .305/.372/.405 on his way to being a AA Allstar. After playing in the ASG, he was sent to AAA where he batted .288 with a .330 OBP to finish the season. Each level he's been in, he's been considered a team leader and has gained the respect early of his teammates.
Finally, at the start of the 2013 season, the Allentown Talons second baseman entered the year ready to make his mark on the league. In 66 games for Allentown, Trujillo hit .335/.390/.447/.837, started the AAA ASG and was one of two players to play the entire game. Defensively, Trujillo posted a +4.5 ZR at 2B and +1.5 at 3B, all in all he was worth 3.0 in less than half of the season.
On Wednesday, July 3rd, Ed Trujillo will start his first game for the Pittsburgh Millers at 2B.
"I'm excited to be here. I can't wait to experience what the BLB is really like, it's been my dream to play for this organization that gave me a second chance. I hope I can contribute the best I can."