The transition from the Minor Leagues to the big leagues can be challenging and at times overwhelming for young players. It's not just the adjustment to a higher level of competition, but it's about the intimidation that can come from walking into that Major League clubhouse for the first time.
Under GM Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo, the D-backs have sought to make that transition as smooth and easy as possible -- and that starts long before the player gets called up.
Lovullo remembers that it wasn't until he was called up to the Tigers for the first time that he got to meet legendary manager Sparky Anderson and GM Bill Lajoie. He was terrified.
"I just remember some of the insecurities I had as a player and they were overwhelming," Lovullo said. "It's real. It's real when a young player sits at his locker, because he's afraid to move from his locker to go get a drink or try and find his way into the food room. So, we eliminate that. I feel like I have to set the standard. I walk up to Drey Jameson and Tommy Henry long before they've come in here and introduce myself to them to create that comfort level. I want it to be seamless."
I wrote in an earlier newsletter about how Lovullo texts Minor League players, but it goes beyond that.
The organization makes it a point of emphasis during Spring Training for the Minor League players to interact with the big leaguers. In years past, at the end of instructional league in the fall, the organization had the athletes involved play their final game of the season at Chase Field.
It's the same thinking that has them bring Minor Leaguers over to Chase Field for the final two exhibition games of the spring each year: They want the players to know what the clubhouse looks like and what it feels like to play in that stadium -- any little thing that can help them be more comfortable once they arrive.
Earlier this spring, Lovullo was sitting on one of the long concrete benches behind Field 1 at Salt River Fields watching a simulated game. Sitting near him was a Minor League player who is currently in Single-A.
"Do you know the Major League manager here?" Lovullo asked the player.
"I know he's around here somewhere," the player replied. "I have no idea who he is. He's just some guy with brown hair and he's going bald."
"Interesting," Lovullo replied as he took off his hat while pointing at his own face. "Does he look like this guy right here?"
They both got a good laugh out of it, which was the point for Lovullo. Chances are, if that player makes the big leagues, he's not going to be afraid of talking to the skipper.