ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – At the age of five years old, like many youngsters across the country, the dream began for Matt Abraham while playing tee ball.
About 20 years later, that lifelong dream was fulfilled and turned into reality during the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft after his random, computer-generated number was summoned by the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
With 50 rounds spanning three days and potentially 1,500 players being selected (teams don't opt to use each selection) as respective clubs shore up their farm systems, patience is essential.
But when Abraham's name was called while watching a few of the later rounds with one of his former teammates, Matt Heller, it was a feeling of pure exuberance.
“I just saw my name pop up and my heart stopped -- I was at a true loss for words,” Abraham recollected. “All I wanted was a shot to use an opportunity. I told them I was ready for my plane ticket.”
The Blue Jays' organization was on the horn with him moments later and events were quickly set in motion that completed the transition from amateur to professional.
After logging a handful of games in two different stints with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays' affiliate from 2010-11, Abraham earned a promotion to the Appalachian League and short-season Bluefield (Va.) in 2011.
His roommate at Bluefield with a host family was Yudelmis Hernandez, formerly of Barry University, and the adjustments to minor league life immediately hit home.
“It was a tough transition because I went from playing every day to being a utility guy (playing shortstop, second base and third base),” he said. “The tough part is that it's a business. One day, some guys are there in the clubhouse, the next day they might be gone.”
“But at the same time, it's just like the college experience (I had at Eckerd),” he continued. “You get to know the guys and stay close to them. But you can't take a day off or one guy will move in front of you on the depth chart.”
Even though Abraham can't pick out the toughest pitcher he's faced in his professional career, he's stood in the batter's box against the likes of fireballer Dustin McGowan and Henderson Alvarez. Former 2006 first-rounder Travis Snider visited Bluefield and longtime respected clubhouse veteran John McDonald made a big impression during a brief trip.
Abraham was also featured in the checklist of Topps Pro Debut, a popular baseball card set featuring rising minor-league prospects. He was surprised as anyone when he saw his card for the first time and a fan handed him a stack of 100 asking him to sign.
“I didn't even know I was in the checklist,” he recalls.
Growing up in Worcester, Mass., Abraham was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and idolized iconic shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.
Toronto area scout Joel Grampietro knew the Abraham family well and kept tabs on Matt since his prep days at St. John's High School continuing well into his collegiate career at Eckerd.
“Some guys you need to see more than others; the easiest part of scouting is the physical talent, the toughest being the mental evaluation,” Grampietro said over the phone. “For a guy like Matty, he plays hard all the time and there's not much guesswork you have to do because we knew his background. You can never go wrong with a guy like him because he helps your organization.”
Abraham credits his family, specifically parents, Stephen and Mary, for being with him every step of the way. His younger brother, Mike (affectionately known at “Little Abes”), is a freshman catcher on the EC baseball squad and another brother, Brian, also works in the Blue Jays' front office.
Like every journey, there are a few bumps in the road to overcome along the way. He had heard all the detractors question his diminutive size (listed at 5-8, 165 lb.), but that just added fuel to the fire and his drive.
“I was told I was never going to be able to play in Florida and that I'd be home after one semester,” he said. “That just made me work even harder and want to prove them wrong. It's everyone's dream to play for a professional organization, to put on that Blue Jays' uniform and sign autographs for kids; that's why you play the game.”
As a senior with the Tritons, Abraham hit .305 with 30 RBI in the same lineup as Chris Clinton, a 23rd-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles. He showed the penchant for dropping down sacrifice bunts (10 ranked eighth in the nation as a junior) and his slick fielding with intangibles/positional versatility caught the attention of many.
Abraham, who obtained his degree in Business Management, has been on the Eckerd campus since March 19, taking ground balls, working out and facing live pitching.
He reports next week on Tuesday, April 3, to the Toronto minor league complex in Dunedin where he will await his designated assignment for the upcoming year -- and continues to live out his dream.
