Kalish Hopes To Begin Season In Pawtucket

Imagine what it's like to get called-up to the Boston Red Sox for the first time. 

Your heart must feel like it's going to burst out of your chest.  Your cell phone is blowing up with congratulatory messages and texts from friends and relatives all over the country.  Your strengths and weaknesses are being dissected by rabid Sox fans who have never seen you play.  Several people you barely know are wondering if you can help them get tickets.

And you don't even know what gate to enter at Fenway Park.

That's what the Red Sox annual rookie orientation program is all about.  To make an overwhelming experience a little less stressful so that rookies can join the team with the best possible chance of having success.

This year's 12 participants in the rookie program included 21-year-old outfielder Ryan Kalish, who spent most of last year with Double-A Portland.

(photo courtesy of Kelly O'Connor)

"It's just an honor to be part of this," Kalish told me.  "When you see the guys that have gone through the program in the past like Pedroia, Ellsbury, and Bard - it really shows that they believe in you and want you to be part of the Red Sox.  They taught us where to enter Fenway Park . . . how far away the team hotel is . . . how to act in the clubhouse as a rookie . . . how to treat the veterans with respect.  Just stuff like that - the ways of the big leagues."

In addition to daily workouts at Boston College, the prospects heard from several Red Sox coaches and players including Terry Francona, John Farrell, Kevin Youkilis, and John Lackey.  But Kalish's favorite guest speaker came from another professional sport.

"Doc Rivers," Kalish said.  "All of the speakers were great, but even though Doc isn't a baseball guy, he preached all of the same things that Tito (Francona) was saying.  It was so amazing to see the similarities between sports.  He talked about getting into a routine - the best players have a set routine that works for them.  He mentioned how the "big three" with the Celtics - Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen - all have a set routine on game day.  That was really cool.  He captured our attention from the get-go and really had a strong personality."

Kalish is coming off of an outstanding season between Single-A Salem and Double-A Portland, batting a combined .279 (.364 OBP) with 18 HR, 77 RBI, and 21 SB.  He's hoping to begin the 2010 season in Pawtucket.    

"Nothing is out of the realm of possibility for Ryan," player development director Mike Hazen told the Boston Globe.  "He had a good second half in Portland. There's a good chance he'll start at Portland this season, but there's also a chance he'll be at Pawtucket. That's not likely, but he's a talented player. If he continues to take care of what he needs to take of, he'll be (in Pawtucket) soon enough."

"My hope is to jump a level to Triple-A, but I don't control that and I'm just going to do what I can do to make their decision as easy as possible," Kalish told me.  "Hopefully I'll take care of business on the field, stay healthy, and do what I can do.  I'm confident that if I do what I can do, I'll be in Pawtucket sooner rather than later."

From there, Boston is the next step.  And if Ryan Kalish eventually gets to Fenway Park, he won't have to worry about where to enter.