FARMINGTON – The dream of being a big leaguer is one not often realized.
According to a study released by BaseballScouter.com, only one out of approximately 6,600 high school baseball players make it to a Major League Baseball roster later in their careers.
One player, who was a major contributor to the Southern California Renegades roster in 2012, came close to realizing that dream and hopes to share that experience as part of the Renegades staff.
Timmy Robinson, who was drafted – not once but twice – in the MLB amateur draft, is here to share his experiences as both a prep and collegiate star, as well as one of many baseball players who tried to advance their careers in the sport.
Robinson, selected in 2012 out of high school in the 31st round of the MLB draft by the Minnesota Twins, opted to continue his baseball career at the University of Southern California. In 2016, after three seasons with the Trojans, Robinson was drafted in the 21st round by the New York Yankees.
Before that, Robinson was an integral part of the Renegades roster in 2012, the last time the team captured the CMWS championship. Robinson was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award winner that summer as the Renegades beat the Bayside (NY) Yankees in the title game.
Born and raised in Westminster, California, Robinson also won the CMWS Big Stick Award in 2012 which goes to the tournament’s best hitter, and was named to the All-Tournament Team roster.
Robinson played prep baseball at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach. In his senior year, Robinson was an All-American, earning California Interscholastic Federation player awards while also competing in football during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
At USC, Robinson had a batting average of .276 in his three seasons in which he appeared in 169 games, all but one as a starter. Robinson hit 16 home runs in his time as a Trojan, scoring 110 runs and driving in 129 runs. As an outfielder, Robinson had a career fielding percentage of .972 according to the USC baseball website.
Robinson spent three years in the Minor League system for the Yankees before injuries curtailed his career. Robinson appeared in more than 140 games for the Staten Island (NY) Yankees and the Tampa (FL) Tarpons in Single A baseball.
In three seasons, Robinson made nearly 500 plate appearances and had 119 hits for a career batting average of .240 with 17 home runs and 85 runs batted in.
Robinson was a big part of the Staten Island offense on multiple occasions. In a game against the Tri-City Valley Cats near Albany on July 21, 2016, Robinson had a pair of home runs and a double, driving in five runs in a 6-5 win.
Later that season, playing at home against the Aberdeen Ironbirds from Baltimore, Robinson’s walk-off single lifted the Yankees to a 8-7 victory. He went 3-for-4 from the plate including a home run and three runs batted in.
Despite all that, Robinson wasn’t able to overcome injuries that curtailed his baseball career.
“We have to take better care of our bodies,” Robinson said. “And if you’re not doing that, you’re only creating opportunities for other guys who are.”
Robinson still recalls what it was like the day he got the call to join the Yankees.
“It was awesome. It’s a life experience that I hope all these kids get to enjoy,” Robinson said when he arrived with the Renegades last week in preparation for the Connie Mack World Series. “I was super thankful to the organization because of its tradition, and what it meant to be a part of that was something special.”
Starting in the minor leagues, playing in front of small crowds and traveling by bus from one town to another, was one element of playing in the minors that Robinson looks back at with some degree of humor, but also sees it as an important lesson.
“Its something that all these kids should experience, is that the road to get to the majors is hard,” Robinson said. “It’s all about earning minimum wage and you’re playing in towns that aren’t very popular and taking bus trips all crammed together for 10 hours at a time.”
Robinson recalled the optimistic feelings of toiling in the minor leagues and receiving recognition for a job well done. He hopes those moments will be discovered for the 24 players currently occupying a roster spot for the Renegades, who will open the CMWS championship bracket play on Monday night at Ricketts Park against the 505 Panthers.
“It’s the same sense of joy and sense of security you get from any job,” Robinson recalled. “I remind these kids every day to take every day like it’s your last one. Put your best foot forward and you never know when your opportunity comes along.”
The Renegades went 3-0 in pool play action over the weekend, beating the Colton Nighthawks 4-3 on Friday night before outscoring the Dallas Tigers 12-0 and the Mississauga Tigers 10-6 on Saturday.
For more information on the Renegades, and all 12 teams in this week’s Connie Mack World Series, visit the events page on the web at CMWS.org.
