DeJesus Out, Amos Swallows Returns to the Organization

[Chuck V]

Amos Swallows knows all too well the expectations that can be made on a young prospect. Swallows was tabbed early as a potential star out of Samsung High School as a 17 year old 20 years ago. Swallows was made the #1 overall pick in the 2041 draft by the Charlotte Cougars. The Edmonton native was not long for Charlotte however as the Jackrabbits traded five players to the Cougars the very next season to bring Swallows home. Swallows would zip through the Jackrabbits minor league system and be up in the big leagues just two years later. In his first full season, Swallows exceeded all expectations when he went 18-7 and led the league in wins.

However, fate is a fickle mistress. Swallows, who began to suffer from biceps tendinitis in 2042, missed time with same injury in four of the next six seasons. For Swallows, the big payday never arrived. By the time he was traded back to Charlotte in 2048, he had become more of a suspect than a prospect. Swallows would then be traded to Mexico City for the 2049 season, sign a FA deal for one year with Vancouver and finally sign a one year deal with Des Moines. After that it was a slow slog through the minors in the Phoenix Talons organization and then a couple of seasons just trying to hang on in the GBC before finally hanging it up in 2059.

Now Swallows will once again put on a uniform, but the 37 year old will do so as a pitching coach for the Mississauga Credits, the Austin Shredders Rookie League affiliate. Amos hopes that he can pass along some hints to the younger players who might be seeing dollar signs and bright lights in their future. "This is a profession that demands that you work year round and find a way to improve your game every season." said Swallows, "You may have been a big deal in your high school, but every one of your teammates was a big deal at their school as well and you are all literally starting at the bottom of the ladder. Here is where we look and see if we see the same things the scouts saw and find a way to develop that talent."

Never a hard thrower, Swallows will work with the young arms to better locate their pitches and throw what he likes to call "strikes within strikes", added Swallows. " Any fool can throw the ball over the plate and any major league hitter can hit a ball over the plate over the outfield wall. You have to learn to locate that pitch where you want it and need it."

Swallows will replace Felipe de Jesus who is out after two seasons with the Credits.

[RonCo]

Glad to see Swallows return.