Baker's Dish

I had the chance to catch up with former McAllen Rowe baseball standout Jose Pablo Oyervidez on two occasions during the past three weeks. In the most recent conversation, we talked about his career — one that has kept him in the minor leagues.

Oyervidez, who celebrated his 26th birthday Monday, will report to minor league spring training during March in Peoria, Ariz., and expects to be back with the Double-A San Antonio Missions again this season. He’s a real prospect in the San Diego Padres’ minor league system. Just check this story out for proof.

Of course, as always, he’s looking to land a gig in the big leagues. “The minor leagues isn’t the place to be,” he said. “I’m glad I’m at least here, but nobody in the minors wants to be here. It’s not a fun life. We’d much rather be in the big leagues.” But injuries always have limited Oyervidez, who some scouts pretty much wrote off after he had Tommy John surgery three years ago. He came back and had a strong 2006 season, but suffered another setback last season when he again had season-ending shoulder surgery to repair nerve damage. It was in his throwing arm, the same one that he had Tommy John. And now, Oyervidez — a former All-Valley MVP for Rowe — is attempting his second comeback in three years. And he’s excited about it.

“I’m not trying to make Triple-A,” he said. “I’m trying to skip that and go straight to the big leagues. It can be done. I skipped (Single-A) ball. If I go to Triple-A I’m fine with that. But my eyes are on the big leagues. I’m feeling good, and I’m ready to get back out there.”

And, of course, this blog wouldn’t be complete without this.