By Mike Rosenbaum

A year ago at this time, Johnny Eierman was in the midst of an arduous recruiting process, weighing which school would provide the best opportunity to extend his career.

These days, the former Warsaw High School standout is fresh off his first professional season and starting instructional league in Port Charlotte, Florida as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Drafted in the third round (119^th overall) by the Rays in June’s MLB Draft, Eierman ultimately decided to begin his professional baseball career and forgo a scholarship to college baseball powerhouse Louisiana State in the process.  As a junior, the shortstop hit .574 with five home runs, 10 doubles, six triples, 36 RBI and 17 stolen bases on his way to Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association First Team All-State honors. 

In the wake of an eye-opening showing at the Area Code Games last summer, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound shortstop hit .571 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles, 33 RBI and 24 stolen bases as a senior and garnered MHSBCA First Team All-State and Prep Baseball Report Missouri Player of the Year honors.

For Eierman, however, the decision to begin his professional career was merely a matter of following his heart, even with a scholarship to LSU on the table.

“I was just kind of ready to get it over with and know where I’m going,” he said.  “I would talk with the LSU coaches and I wasn’t going to lie to them, so I told them when I started leaning towards playing professional ball. They knew there was a good chance I was going to sign, so they were understanding when it happened.”

As the draft edged closer and Eierman’s hype steadily built, rumors circulated that he could be drafted as early as the late first round, with the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Rays emerging as favorites to land the toolsy shortstop.

“The White Sox said they were going to take me with their first pick (47^th overall), but then that didn’t happen,” Eierman said about the draft.  “The Rays called me the first day before their three 31^st overall pick and offered me below slot.  Had they offered me slot I would have for sure went.  The first day kind of went downhill after that.”

“Everyone kept telling me I was going to be selected on the first day and that I’d go higher,” he continued.  “So at the time I was frustrated and disappointed that I didn’t go higher, but it’s still the third round and the money worked out in the end.  Plus, I knew that I’d be joining a really good organization.”

After agreeing to sign for above slot value in late July, Eierman boarded a plane to Port Charlotte where he officially inked the deal and began his pro career.  Although he may have been ready to play the second he stepped off the plane, the Rays made it clear that they had no intentions on rushing their prospect.

“They don’t rush you and gradually work you in, so when I first got there they said I probably wouldn’t play for at least the first week or week and a half,” stated Eierman.

As he tried his best to remain patient, Eierman got his work in taking ground balls and batting practice with his new team as he waited for his first opportunity to take the field.  And when he finally found himself in the Gulf Coast League Rays starting lineup, leading off and playing shortstop on August 4^th, Eierman was sure to make the most of his opportunity.

“I was really nervous in my first at-bat,” said the right-handed hitting Eierman of his professional debut.  “I wanted to get it over with and get rid of all the butterflies, so I swung at the first pitch I saw and popped it up down the right-field line.  But after that I was fine.”

“Fine” might be a gross understatement.

In his second at-bat, Eierman collected his first professional hit, a double to center field.  And after a pop out in the fifth inning, he doubled his career hits total with a single.  With a memorable 2-for-4 debut already under his belt, Eierman wasn’t done quite yet.

Deadlocked at a scoreless tie in the top of the 10^th inning, Eierman launched a solo home run to left field off GCL Red Sox closer Yunior Ortega to give his team a 1-0 lead.  But his dramatic, career-sparking home run was unfortunately squandered, as the Rays ultimately surrendered two runs in the bottom half of the inning and lost 2-1.

However, the loss didn’t prevent Eierman and his family from cherishing his 3-for-5 professional debut.

“I got back on the bus and had about 30 text messages from my friends and calls from everyone in my family. It was pretty cool.”

But while his first game might have depicted a seamless transition from high school and summer baseball, Eierman made sure to note that adapting to life in the minor leagues hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park.

“One thing I haven’t gotten used to is waking up early everyday,” Eierman noted.  “Most of our games start at noon, so we get up between 6:00-6:15 am and are out at the field by 7:00 am.”

Although his body is still trying to adjust to a new schedule, his mindset is ahead of the curve.

“I like that we get to take batting practice on the field everyday.  I’ve gotten past trying to hit home runs in batting practice – it’s pointless. Now I just get loose, find my swing, hit some line drives, and get ready for the game that day.”

Now playing against many of baseball’s finest prospects, Eierman’s had to make several mechanical adjustments as well.

“In high school I had a big leg kick and long swing because most of the pitching was so slow that I had to supply most of the power.  Since then I’ve shortened my swing and really just try to get on top of the ball and barrel it up.”

And despite the accessibility of the GCL Rays’ hitting instructors, Eierman turns to the one person who knows his swing the best: his father.  His coach at Warsaw and a former minor leaguer (Red Sox, 1991-1994), John Eierman has been there to help his son the entire way.

“Everything my dad’s told me has been dead-on,” said Johnny of his father.  “In high school he was my coach, and even though we talked a lot, I wasn’t as open to his advice as I am now.  Even though he’s not at every game with me, we still talk afterwards on the phone.  He really knows my swing and a lot about hitting.”

Johnny ultimately hit a respectable .254 over 16 games for GCL Rays this summer.  In 59 at-bats he collected three doubles, two triples and a home run while driving in five runs.  At shortstop, he posted a .940 fielding percentage, committing only three errors in 50 chances.

As he heads into his first instructional season, Eierman’s confidence is sky-high.  More importantly, he grows increasingly optimistic about his future.

“Lots of guys here talk about how long it will take to reach the Major Leagues,” he mentioned. “I just want to get faster and stronger, and keep proving myself in every opportunity I receive.  If I’m working my hardest and improving, the rest will take care of itself.”