Christopher Hailey: A Future Star

The day had come.

It was June of 2007. I nervously paced back and forth, constantly checking my phone for texts or scouting reports. I had already received interest from the Rangers, Cardinals, Astros, and Nationals, without certainty of when I'd get picked or who by. All I knew is that I would get picked.

ESPN scouting reports said I was a mid-fourth round pick. As a good fielder and utility outfielder, I was projected to be a good defensive piece, but my weakness at stealing bases hurt my value as a hitter.

After a while, the draft began, and my parents, my girlfriend, Laura, and my best friend, Mike, and I sat down and watched. The first round went by, and I didn't get drafted. The same happened in the second, third, and fourth rounds, and I started getting antsy. Why hadn't I been drafted yet?

And then I got the call.

It was the Nationals. They told me they were planning on drafting me in the fifth round. And so I got drafted by the Washington Nationals with the 137th pick of the MLB Draft.

A few months later, my agent, Matthew Tucker, and I drove to the GM's office in D.C. We were able to negotiate a 1-year, $390,000 contract.

February 25, 2008

Today kicked off the second week of Spring Training. I have to this point focused on improving my running speed, hoping to have it improved for the start of the season.

Today I was interviewed by news reporter Mia Stevens, who apparently mixed up her information and thought I was a pitcher. After my teammate, J.T. Oakley, corrected her, she was a little embarrased, so I took the opportunity to introduce myself. After that, she had to leave for another interview, but I have a feeling we'll meet again sometime in the near future.

March 1, 2008

Today is our first game of Spring Training, and I'm pumped. Even though the team has three solid outfielders already in Austin Kearns, Elijah Dukes, and Lastings Milledge, I feel like I have a good shot at playing in the pros, even if it means being a backup.

I drove to the stadium, where I met up with my parents, who I had bought tickets for. Afterwards, I went to the locker room and changed.

When I got out on the field for warmups, the manager came up to me and said that I would be batting eighth and playing right field. I was pumped! I couldn't believe I was starting in my first Spring Training game! The manager also told me that if I got 3 hits in every game that I would be in the bigs for the start of the season.

My first at-bat gave me hope, as I hit a single to center field off of pitcher Matt Garza.

My second at-bat was in the fifth inning against reliever Kurt Birkins. I took the first pitch to right field for a single and my second hit of the game.

My third at-bat came in the eighth inning against reliever Chad Orvella. I hit a pop-up to the second baseman, making my final tally 2-3 hitting.

After the game, the manager sent me down to AAA to "sharpen my skills," as he put it. I was slightly disappointed, but at the same time knew that the likelihood of me getting 3 hits every game was slim anyways. Not even the best players could guarantee that!

Anyways, I felt that I did well today. I hope I can do the same in a real game.

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I'll be doing the game updates in a box score, showing my stats. Here we go!

March 30 vs. Braves AAA
L 7-2, 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 R, SB

Cool!

Yeah, I felt like doing a log on MLB Life, so I put it on the hardest difficulty and made my guy a fifth round pick on a team with a solid outfield. More games will be posted soon!

March 31-April 3 @ Phillies AAA
Game 1: Tie 0-0, 0-3
Game 2: Tie 0-0, 1-3, 2B
Game 3: Tie 2-2, 1-3, HR (2 AAA), 2 RBI, R

April 4-6 @ Cardinals AAA
Game 1: L 1-0, 0-3, DP
Game 2: L 2-0, 1-3
Game 3: W 4-2, 2-4, HR (3 AAA), RBI, 2 R

April 7-10 vs. Marlins AAA
Game 1: W 2-0, 2-3, 2B, R
Game 2: L 1-0, 1-3
Game 3: W 2-0, 0-3

All in all, in the past three series I've gone 8-28 hitting (.286 avg), with 2 homers and 3 RBI's. Not bad, but I could do better.

Season stats (AAA): .323 avg, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 2 2B, 1 SB

April 11-13 vs. Braves AAA
Game 1: W 2-1, 1-3, SB, R
Game 2: W 4-0, 3-3, 3 SB, R
Game 3: L 1-0, 1-3

April 15-17 @ Mets AAA
Game 1: W 1-0, 2-3, 2B, RBI, DP
Game 2: W 3-0, 1-2, BB, 2 R, SB
Game 3: Tie 0-0, 0-3

All in all, these last six games were a pretty good stretch for me. I went 8-17 (.471 avg) with an RBI, 4 runs scored, 5 stolen bases, and I drew my first walk! Hope I can continue this streak!

Season stats (AAA): .375 avg, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 10 R, 3 2B, 6 SB, 1 BB

April 18-20 @ Marlins AAA
Game 1: L 2-0, 2-3, CS
Game 2: Tie 2-2, 1-3
Game 3: Tie 0-0, 1-3, DP

April 21 & 22 @ Braves AAA
Game 1: Tie 0-0, 1-3, SB
Game 2: L 1-0, 1-3

April 23 & 24 vs. Mets AAA
Game 1: L 4-2, 0-3
Game 2: L 2-1, 0-2, BB

Apri 25-27 vs. Cubs AAA
Game 1: Tie 0-0, 2-3
Game 2: L 3-0, 0-3
Game 3: L 5-0, 0-2, BB, E, SB

April 29 & 30 vs. Braves AAA
Game 1: L 2-1, 2-4, 2B
Game 2: L 8-1, 2-4

Monthly Review: April 2008
Season stats (AAA): .357, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 10 R, 4 2B, 8 SB, 3 BB
Team Record (MLB): 12-16
Team Record (AAA): 7-13-8

I just don't get why I wasn't promoted to the bigs this month. I mean, I have a .357 batting average. And 8 stolen bases. Maybe it's because I only have 5 RBI's. Hmm...

Anyways, the team had a rough month, going 12-16, putting us in fourth in the division. I feel that if I got the chance, I could lead the team to better times. Oh well, just gotta keep performing.

I became friends with 2 of my AAA teammates this month: Randy Wells and Ryan Wagner, both pitchers. I hope I can become good friends with these guys.

Alright, so I might continue this. Could be fun.

Ok, cool.

Yeah, I might do this or start one with Justin Upton.