Making the Right Decision
After going 26-6 and compiling 257 strikeouts in his four-year career at Pendleton Heights, 23-year-old Brock Huntzinger was drafted in the third round of the 2007 Major League Baseball first-year draft by the Boston Red Sox. With the option of either going into the Red Sox minor league system or playing for Indiana University, Huntzinger decided on the minors. In his six years with the Red Sox minor league system, Huntzinger has accumulated a 29-36 record with a 4.66 earned run average. He currently pitches for the Red Sox double-A squad, the Portland Sea Dogs.
Choosing a Career Path
Photo Courtesy of Amanda Richardson
By: Steven Ward
[email protected]
April 24, 2012
For many young adults, choosing a career path can be a very tough decision. It is a decision that not only affects the present, but the future as well. Brock Huntzinger, 23-year-old pitcher from Pendleton, Ind. had to make this tough decision in 2007.
He had already committed to play for Indiana University, but he was drafted in the third round of the Major League Baseball first-year draft by one baseball's most historic teams—the Boston Red Sox.
Huntzinger said the decision came down to the treatment he would receive from the Red Sox organization.
“I figured I’d get top tier care here [at Boston],” Huntzinger said. “Sometimes in college, you can risk getting hurt or getting overused. I just felt like the [Red Sox] were the best fit for me. I talked to my parents about it, and we felt comfortable with the decision.”
Now in his sixth season in the Red Sox minor league system, Huntzinger said he doesn’t have any regrets about his decision.
“[Minor league career] has been really great,” Huntzinger said. “A lot of guys love college because it’s a great time and you meet a lot of your life-long friends. Playing my first two years here, it was like the same experience minus the school part. Up here, it’s baseball all the time, and I think that is conducive to my goals and my dreams.”
While Huntzinger may have passed up the social aspect that comes with college, he hasn't had trouble making friends. One of those friends is former Ball State standout Jeremy Hazelbaker.
“I’ve played with him in Greenville and last year with Portland,” Hazelbaker said. “He’s an all-around good guy. Everybody gets along with him, and he has a lot of stuff going for him.”
Hazelbaker said in terms of baseball, Huntzinger is ‘hard-nosed.’
“He’s a bulldog on the mound,” Hazelbaker said. “He fights through it, and he doesn’t like to lose.”
It may take some time before Huntzinger plays in the major leagues, but he said he is content with wherever he goes because this is the career path he wants to take.
“I’ll probably be back with the Portland Sea Dogs if I stay healthy,” Huntzinger said. “I think being there last year, going through some struggles early, and then figuring it out later in the year how to pitch, how to get guys out; I think going through it a second time will hopefully be a smoother road. I expect to do well, and hopefully I will put myself in a good position to move up or continue on the path to the big leagues.”
[email protected]
April 24, 2012
For many young adults, choosing a career path can be a very tough decision. It is a decision that not only affects the present, but the future as well. Brock Huntzinger, 23-year-old pitcher from Pendleton, Ind. had to make this tough decision in 2007.
He had already committed to play for Indiana University, but he was drafted in the third round of the Major League Baseball first-year draft by one baseball's most historic teams—the Boston Red Sox.
Huntzinger said the decision came down to the treatment he would receive from the Red Sox organization.
“I figured I’d get top tier care here [at Boston],” Huntzinger said. “Sometimes in college, you can risk getting hurt or getting overused. I just felt like the [Red Sox] were the best fit for me. I talked to my parents about it, and we felt comfortable with the decision.”
Now in his sixth season in the Red Sox minor league system, Huntzinger said he doesn’t have any regrets about his decision.
“[Minor league career] has been really great,” Huntzinger said. “A lot of guys love college because it’s a great time and you meet a lot of your life-long friends. Playing my first two years here, it was like the same experience minus the school part. Up here, it’s baseball all the time, and I think that is conducive to my goals and my dreams.”
While Huntzinger may have passed up the social aspect that comes with college, he hasn't had trouble making friends. One of those friends is former Ball State standout Jeremy Hazelbaker.
“I’ve played with him in Greenville and last year with Portland,” Hazelbaker said. “He’s an all-around good guy. Everybody gets along with him, and he has a lot of stuff going for him.”
Hazelbaker said in terms of baseball, Huntzinger is ‘hard-nosed.’
“He’s a bulldog on the mound,” Hazelbaker said. “He fights through it, and he doesn’t like to lose.”
It may take some time before Huntzinger plays in the major leagues, but he said he is content with wherever he goes because this is the career path he wants to take.
“I’ll probably be back with the Portland Sea Dogs if I stay healthy,” Huntzinger said. “I think being there last year, going through some struggles early, and then figuring it out later in the year how to pitch, how to get guys out; I think going through it a second time will hopefully be a smoother road. I expect to do well, and hopefully I will put myself in a good position to move up or continue on the path to the big leagues.”
Brock Huntzinger on....
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