The (probable minor league) career of JT 'Soup' Campbell

[imapotato]

Well hello there, I am your typical 18yr old with dreams of playing in fields like Wrigley, Fenway and now the new Yankee Stadium.

Ever since I was young I threw a baseball, my mother said my first word was homer...

In my high school, I was a decent catcher but not spectacular, my pitchers, however, overperformed. It was at that time after a truly horrendous day at the plate for me (0fer with 2ks) but my pitcher Jason Gardner threw a 2 hit shutout that I was shocked as anyone when a man approached me

"Hey kid, you call a great game"

"Yea, and are you selling endorsements from Nike?" I stated in all seriousness.

"Heh, that's funny...you really don't know who I am?"

"So, no endorsements..." I mentioned again solemnly.

The man grimaced "It's not as funny the second go 'round, kid. No, I am Bill Mueller, used to play for the Red Sox, now I am Special Assistant, Baseball Operations and Player Development for the LA Dodgers"

"Wow," I stated in disbelief that a Dodger guy would be in upstate NY. "That must be a very long door sign."

"And you have a wide range of sarcastic quotes" He pursed his lips.

I could tell Bill Mueller was becoming frustrated with me.

"On second thought, forget it"

Yep, he was...

"Wait," I apologized. "What do you want with me?"

"Well, a good signal caller is hard to find, ever wonder why catchers can hardly hit their weight? Because they know how to handle a pitching staff, and I see that talent in you"

"Really?" I exclaimed. "So what do we do about that talent?"

"I tell ya what kid, I am going back to LA, after a trip to NYC to check out the Bronx RBI program...you may be hearing from us come draft time"

As quickly as that, Mueller was gone (much like his baseball career)

"I heard that"

Wow, he is talented...

That was March 2009, in June I got the call

I was drafted by the Dodgers in the 50th round of the MLB draft

What does that mean? It means two things

1) They think I stink
2) I will probably never see the major leagues, but a boy can dream


I spent the remaining 2009 season with the single A Inland EMpire 66ers. Aside from pretty girls trying to seduce you in case you make big money not much happend. Except that I hit .330 with 10 Hrs and 38 rbi.

I suprised everyone, even Asst. GM Kim Ng told me that



"Mike Piazza was drafted low and was thought to never have a shot"

I proceeded to hit on her, because I love Asian chicks.

She politely declined and told me she only dates ballplayers....somehow I felt insulted.

Now as we begin 2010 I am going to the AA Chattanooga Lookouts. I made a couple of friends at single A

Scott Van Slyke, a 6'5" 195 bean pole but with pop in his bat...he had to stay behind. I told him it's because he has a 1970's porn stache, he shot me an icy stare

'Boogie Nights 2010'

Another friend was the 6'3 235lb Jamie Hoffman, we call him Hoss because he usually wrangled us up when we got caught drinking underage.

He is the one that gave me the nickname 'Soup'

He thought it was very original, and the PA announcer started calling me that...I am stuck with it for life

"Had his share of pork chop sandwiches"

So I am off to Chattanooga,to begin my pro career at the next level...seeing how easy A was, how hard coulld it be?

[imapotato]

I approached the clubhouse and was immediately by a Korean guy who spoke broken English but oddly sounded like Eminem.

"How's it hanging home dog?" he flashed some type of handshake and continued, "Name is Chin-Lung Hu, I play SS and if you want to go scouting for Betty's, you'll need my flavor in your soup"

'The Chinese gangsta of love'

I thought that was an odd analogy, and quickly thanked him...and brushed past.

"Don't let Chin scare you, he is learning English by watching New Jersey Shore"

Ugh was my only thought

"Yea, you know Snookie is more delicious than a bacon cheeseburger wrapped in donuts" Chin chimed in. "Hey did you know I got the bling bling from the Future's game? Represent, Taiwan, word to the land of mothers!" He thumped his chest and did the Vulcan sign and left.

I shook my head. The player who spoke earlier just laughed.

"Think you said that wrong, man" the kid replied back. "By the way, name is Corey, Corey Smith. I play 3B"

"A friend in the making"

"Oh hey...at least I know I am not taking your position" I stated.

"You catch right?"

I nodded.

"Well, aside from Martin in the bigs, AJ Ellis and Miker Rivera in AAA you got JD Closser a former big leaguer and that guy over there...highly touted catching prospect, name of Lucas May"

'The man with the super villian name'

"Wow, I guess I got a lot of competition!"

"We all do brother, what's your name?"

It was at time that I should have just said nothing but name, but proverbial foot into mouth.

"Name is J.T. Campbell, they call me Soup"

"Hahaha, like Campbell's soup...funny. Ok Soup, welcome to the Lookouts, manager is in that room over there, name is Carlos Subero, we call him El Capitain"

"Thanks..."

I strolled to the managers office and he looked at me waringly...

"Yous Castletons?"

"No Campbell sir"

"Yea, thats what I say, Campbelltown"

"Ummm,,"

"Sit down" he talked while I did so. "Listens, we have 2 good catchers here in Closser and Luke."

"You mean Lucas", I corrected.

"Okays, two things...never correct me agains, and two, I don't call him that, it makes him sound like a bond villian"

"That's what I sa--"

"Shuts up Cambridge!"

I shuts up

"Listen, what I want to do with you is make you a utility guy, learn 1B, 3B ya know...it will make you more valuable, since you don't have talent"

I was surprised at his crassness and bluntness

"Yosu are probably shocked at my crassness and bluntness" he continued. "But that is what I felt need to be said. You are a low draft pick, you have very little talent, but enjoy this time...you'll always remember it..."

I nodded and began to get up.

"Wait Cribbage, I want you to see your scouting report, just so you know where you stand"

He handed me a piece of paper, I looked it over and asked...

"Is this?"

"Out of a hundreds? Si..."

I began to think I was over my head...

MY SCOUTING REPORT

CONL 40
CONR 40
POWL 35
POWR 35
Vison 30
DISC 35
CLT 30
Bunt 5
DBUNT 0

DUR 35
SPD 25
BR ABL 10
BR AGG 0

ARM 50
ACC 45
FLD 40
REAC 30
BLK 40


"BTW, you a switch hitter,right? Why is that?"

"Well, I hit bettter from the left, but line drives, and lefties throwing breaking balls, I can't hit from the left side. I hit harder from the right side but I miss alot."

"Kid, I think you are gonna miss alot from both sides....go get familiar with the roster, these guys will be your family for 5 months....if you are lucky and we don't cut you or send you back to A."

[imapotato]

Chattanooga Lookouts Roster

2b/SS/3B - Jamie Pedroza -POT F (he is speedy though)

CF/LF/RF/2b/SS/3B - Alfredo Amezaga -POT C (just getting off injury and rehabbing)

LF/OF -Andrew Lambo - POT C -Has good pop and an accurate arm

3B/1b/2b- Corey Smith -POT F - Is durable but my new friend may be gone before me

CF/OF- Prentice Redman- POT D - Good fielder, decent speed

C- J.D. Closser - POT F - 30yr old C hanging around

SS/2B - Chin-Lung Hu - POT C - maybe the SS of the future for LA

1B/IF -Eduardo Perez -POT D - journeyman who has been around forever at 26yrs old

SS/2B - Justin Sellers -POT F - light hitting SS with speed

C- Lucas May - POT D - Has talent but no consistency

CF/LF - Trayvon Robinson -POT C - Is slated to be the future CF of teh Dodgers, but now is a back at AA

RF/1B- Jerry Sands -POT D - Power man, occasionally brillant

SP- Allen Webster - POT B - Good FB, decent ciurve, if he harnesses his potential he could be a star.

SP- Etan Martin - POT A - Very high ceiling if he can develop control. Has decent splitter and cutter

SP- Chris Withrow -POT A - Even at 21 he has a lethal FB-change combo. Has outstanding stuff and terrifc makeup

SP- Nathan Eovaldi - POT A - Has nothing but his FB now, and he is wild, but only 20

SP- Brett Wallach -POT A - rounds out the new quartet of Dodgers A pitching prospects. Has great sinker, needs to work on his change and slider and develop a 4th pitch

RP/SP-Josh Lindblom - POT B - good sinker, slurve combo, could be a #3

RP/SP- Alberto Bastardo - POT D -Has 4seam and 2 seam FB plus C- slider. Can eat innings, will project as a LR

RP/SP Seth Etherton - POT D - 33 yr old trying one last shot to get back to the majors. Uses his curve as out pitch, will get hit hard if left in the zone

RP Garrett Gould -POT B- B+ curve, it still hangs sometimes. Needs to learn to control his FB

RP/SP- Mario Alvarez -POT D- Has a B FB and junk that gets hit hard...will probably be a career minor leaguer

RP Scott Dohman- POT D- Has average FB and Change up, keeping the setup spot warm

CL/SP - Aaron Miller - POT B - moved to the closer role out of necessity. B 4 seamer and C+ slider.

[imapotato]

4/8/10

Hunstville Stars vs. Lookouts

As I threw up for the 3rd time that day, I heard a voice behind me.

"Hey rook, you ok?"

It must have been Cpt. Obvious.

I looked up and saw an older guy

"Old man Baseball"

"No, I am ok, coach"

He turned red..."I am Scott Dohmann, I pitch...a$$hat, hope you drown in creamed corn or whatever it looks like you ate...freakin coach, son of a.."

He muttered on his way out, still upset at the fact that I pointed out the obvious fact he should not be in AA...if he was any good.

"Don't mind Dohmann, or better yet, the guy he is porbably telling that to, Seth Etherton. Both are 33 and pissed they are in AA. That's what happens when you spot ERAs in the 6.00's up in the show."

"Thanks," I vomit spoke.

"Here clean up"

The guy handed me a towel...

"Names Trayyyyvon, like right on, but not on me, I hate puke. Looks like you need a mentor. Tell ya what man, me and you will be sitting on the bench quite often. I am the 4th OFer now, but wait 'till I get my shot. It will be like Willie Mays Hays in Major League"

I stopped throwing up, hobbled to the sink and splashed cold water on my face.

"You mean you will go to jail for Income tax invasion?"

His eyebrows raised. "No, you box of rocks, that's Wesley Snipes, I mean Willie Mays Hays, maybe the second guy, who wore pimp outfits that no one remembers."

"Ohhh Omar Epps!"

He smacked the back of my head, HARD.

"No moron, now I forgot my point...anyway, stick with me, I show you it ain't easy being in AA"

"My black Yoda/Kermit"

Well, I had 2 friends at least...


Nowit was time to train...I was told to hit sliders...RIGHT handed, I failed, miserably...Coach said something about late inning defensive replacement like Moonlight Graham...I never heard of that Keebler cracker. Sounded delicious though.

THE 4 GAME SERIES

Beofre the game I checked and sawe I was the 7th C out of 7 in the organization...I didn't let it deter me, I let the next 4 days do that


GAME 1

I came in as a PH in the 5th for Bastardo against a kid named Anundsen. He worked the count 2-2 until he put his fastball a little too over the plate and I ripped it into CF....ok, it dribbled into CF but a hit is a hit. Before I came to bat, someone threw a beach ball on the field...thansk for the distraction. I swear itr was Dohmann, he is such a douche.

Of course, as any rookie would do, I overran the base, and was tagged out from the bullpen I saw Dohmann and Elarton point and shake their head.

Coach asked me how could I overun anything when it took a calender year for me to get there in the 1st place. He then asked Joihn Valentin the batting coach to remind him to never let me PH with a man on 1st, as that would be a gift wrapped DP

We lost 8-4

2ND GAME

Gould comes in and K's 4 in 1.2 IP, but then it's time for me to PH in a game we are easily winning. I line out to 3rd

We win 6-1

3RD GAME

We are mounting a comeback, and I do my part, by killing it. The go ahead run in Chin-Lung Hu is on 3rd and I make the final out by slapping a ball out of the zone to second for the easy 4-3

We comeback and win in the bottom of the 10th as Sands draws his 2nd double, Eduardo Perez gets his 2nd walk and my competition super villain namey guy May drives in the winning run

We win 6-5

4TH GAME

4/11/10

I START!!! Perez gets a day off, so I start at 1st, I then proceed to try and dive for a ball, and hear Sellers, who is playing second

"Dude, I got this...no one is covering FIRST!"

I get up to a round of boos and catcalls, I hear "Nice belly flop meat!" from the bullpen....Elarton. Who is old enough to not have enough teeth to eat meat. Yea, that's the comeback I'll use later!

We get out of it...or rather Withrow does by striking out the next 2 batters.

Withrow finishes with a 7 IP 6 HA 1 ER 3 BB 7 K line

My 1st 2 Abs I face former big leaguer Kameron Loe.
He gets me to GO to 2nd and K...then he walks me!
A kid named Hinton comes in later to K me on 3 straight pitches with anasty slider

I go 0-3 with 1 bb My BA is now .166

We win 3-1

4/12/10

GAME 5

This time I spell Corey Smoth at 3rd base...I make 3 routine plays, no wild throws...Coach says he likes my defense, everything else is crap.
He handed me an oar, I asked him if it was to hit with, he said no...its for the canoe I will be paddling up an excrement river.

I went 0-5 with 3 Ks on 3 different pitchers

I am now hitting .090 and was told to get my bunting up to par because at least I could PH to do that

We lost 10-4

[imapotato]

Chattanooga Lookouts at Tennessee Smokies

Not a far road trip so we were well rested. We begin a 5 game set

4/14 GAME 1

I come as a PH and promptly K...hitting .083

We lose 8-3

4/15 GAME 2

I come in to PH in the 7th for Etherton, who tells the manager that he could hit better than I could. I ground out to 2nd to end a rally

Now hitting .076 now called the Soup Kitchen line

We lose 2-1

4/16 GAME 3

I PH in the 6th of a blowout and promptly look at strike on a full count

BA is now .071

We lose 9-0

4/17 GAME 4

Another PH assignment in a blow out and I plop a seeing eye single into LF to raise my beefy average to .133. Trayvon says it's easy to go up when you are crawling on the floor. He is wise!

We still lose 7-3

4/18 GAME 5

I PH in the 7th and this kid Maestri must have heard of me because he comes at me and K's me on a changeup with his 3rd pitch in teh zone

Ba stands at .125

We get swept and lose 5-1

[imapotato]

Montgomery Biscuits at Chattanooga Lookouts

I take batting practice again, this time RH vs curveballs, I suck....2 are hit out of the IF but I seem to be improving. Corey Smith who is hitting .133 says he feels my pain

4/19 GAME 1

I pH in the 8th of a close game, and hit a line shot...but Salem grabs it on the run

WE lose 2-1 for a 6 game losing streak

4/20 GAME 2

MY BEST GAME TO DATE!

In the second I hit into a 5-3, and in the 4th a great jumping grab by 2nd baseman Drew Anderson has me a little dishearted. But a stretch play to say an error by Corey Smith and a 3-6-1 DP started by me has coach raving about my 1B defense. I proceed to hit two hard hit singles off their relievers but my first RBI alludes me still...

BA is now .190...almost Mendoza line level!

We win 2-1

4/21 GAME 3

I spell Corey again and hit 2nd....I K my first time up on a nasty curve from McGee and then a I hit one back to the box and he snares it like a dog witha frisbee...a dog that can throw 94mph!

But then I smack my first double down the left field line! Treyvon, however, doesn't get the green light to score so I miss out on another RBI opportunity.

I am so pumped I proceed to look at strike 3 on the outside corner of a 2-2 count in the 8th.

MY BA is now .200!

We win 1-0

An old friend returns

"Hey Mendoza line! Or should I call it Soup bone line...is that what .100 is?"

I knew that voice and as I turned around and saw that B flick character actor trying to be a Hells Angel, I was excited as hell

"Scott! Van Slyke ****! What are you doing here?"

"Jerry Sands sprained a ligament in his knee, so guess who the new 4th OF is?"

Treyvan came in and saw us and promptly put in his 2 cents.

"Yea, well guess who finally got the boot taken off his energy legs? Power Thirst baby! I will be the new DH! Batting leadoff is what I was bortn to do...I will be the new Rickey! Wait, does that mean I will have to talk in the 3rd person? Treyvan doesn't think he likes that..."

He continued to talk to himself as he walked away.

"OK," Scott said, "Let's work on batting drills, and remember those twins in Florida?

"The Asian ones?"

"Yep, guess who got the 867-5309's?"

"Man, it's good to see you...let's give them a call we have a night still before next game!'


4/22 GAME 4

We were still hungover....Scott Van Slyke proved that as he wiffed 2x in game winning opportunities, I PH in the 7th and lined out to CF.

No more women on game nights!

We lose 3-1

[imapotato]

CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS AT HUNTSVILLE STARS


4/24 -GAME 1

2 runners on and I PH, and K BADLY killing our rally

We lose 4-2

4/25 - GAME 2

EXTRA INNINGS

No one wanted to win this game, and my defense become a problem.

Playing 3rd base, I made a great dive, but dropped the ball as I went to throw to first. I then misplayed a foul ball in foul ground, eliciting heckles from the hometown crowd.

My play at the plate was even worse

For some reason Skip decided to bat me THIRD!
I never saw so many breaking balls in my life...I mean didnt they see my BA?

I went 0-5 with a K and an error + humiliation.

4/26

I hear over the PA system now up # 11 SOUP Campbell. Dam you van Slyke!
Chuck Lofgren gets Amezaga, my self and Lambo (all RHers) to pop up to second base. It was at that point where I knew his sinker was unstoppable.

D'Vontrey Richardson leads off with asingle and then Lee Haydl rips a shot to LCF where Lambo stretches out and robs him of extra bases!

However, Adam Stern breaks his bat and reaches on a dribbler, Zealous Wheeler K's for out 2 and newly promoted C Patrick Arlis hits a shot to CF as one run scores and then Cin-Lung Hu overthrows me at third to allow another run to score.

My man Van SLyke hits a single and then Eduardo Perez hits a 378 ft shot for a 2 run bomb

TIED AT 2

Maybe that sinker is only bad for me

Next inning Brent Brewer hits a rope, I slide, grab it and make a great throw to 1B for the out. I HAVE MY FIRST DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHT REEL!!!

Lufgren walks our P Withrow and then Almezaga gets on via an error by 2nd base...I then K after letting two good pitches go, and I swing at a slider in the dirt! ugh

Van Slyke hits a shot in the hole buit Brewster has a reel of his own and one hops it to 1B from the OF...wow!

Top of the 5th I nail it and Richardson robs me in CF!

Top of the 6th, Lambo hits a shot that could have been a double or triple but Lee Haydl leaps and HITS THE WALL...and its defensive highlight reel night!

Top of the 7th and it's Eduardo again as he hits a hard grounder to 3B Taylor Green who throws it over the 1B head. Lucas May hits a SF to RF, and Sellers hits another SF to score Perez

3-2 Lookouts

A scare in the 8th but unscatched and Aaron Miller comes in for the save

POG --- Eduardo Perez - 2-4 2 runs 1 2b 1 HR 2 RBI

W- Withrow (2-1) 2.74 ERA
L- Hinton (1-1) 1.08 (unearned run)
S- A.Miller (3)

I go 0-4 2 Ks to drop my BA to .139

4/27

I come in to PH in the top of the 7th, with us losing 5-3

Called strike 3 on a BALL ...I now have an 0-11 in this series

We almost come back but lose 7-5

W- K.Loe (2-1 5.12 ERA)
L - B.Wallach (0-3 5.60)
S - T.Dillard (7)


4/28 GAME 5

I come in to PH in the 5th, against Mark Rogers and his nasty 12-6 curve. I am waiting on a fastball

and I get it and foul it off HARD...damn it always late

But it work the walk! My OBP has to .179 now...lol

He thens walks Jaime Pedroza and with NO outs Amezaga the veteran comes to bat

Amezaga works the count and draws the walk...a run comes in 4-1 is the score and still no out

That brings our best hitter Andrew Lambo up, he hits it to RF and I SCORE MY FIRST RUN!

we trail 4-3 , Corey Smith my 2nd best friend pops up and he is struggling like I am.
Prentice Redman hits a single to tie it at 4

2 outs and Eduardo Perez comes up....

and K's

but...I started my 1st rally

Then Etherton comes in...with his 0-3 record and 5.65 ERA...bets old man blows it

Nope not him but Aaron Miller blows the save, but Ks the 2nd out

6-6 tie, winning run on 3rd and Adam Stern up and he nails it to RF

GAme over

We lose 7-6...he should have been walked!

[dickey1331]

ah man this stuff is golden. You are really good at this. Im def following.