By BILLY HEYEN
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester-native Christ Bostick was selected in the 44th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. That round doesn’t exist anymore. He’s one of only two players from that round to have ever played in the majors. With the 2018 draft ongoing, about seven years removed from the long wait to see his name picked, Bostick reflected on what it’s taken to gain traction as a late-round pick.
“Put everything into it, don’t worry about what people are saying,” Bostick said. “Because there’s always gonna be people who are better, who get more attention, get more publicity, get more of all that stuff… At the end of the day you have what you put into it and if you know you put everything into it, you’re good.”
After seeing 1,335 players picked ahead of him in 2011, Bostick is now in his eighth year as a professional baseball player. The Aquinas alumnus played in 20 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season and currently plays for their Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. The Indians are in Rochester for a three-game series against the Red Wings beginning Tuesday, and Bostick is glad to be back home.
“It’s always a treat to come back,” Bostick said. “It’s always good to come to a place that you grew up going to and to see family and friends. Good that they don’t have to travel a long way to see me.”
It’s been a standout year so far for Bostick with Indianapolis. He’s hitting .319 with 17 doubles, three triples and three home runs. After starring as a shortstop at Aquinas — including a 2009 state championship — and playing infield for much of his pro career, he’s started the majority of his games this season in centerfield.
Bostick is coming off a 3-for-5 game on Sunday with a homer. After making his major league debut in Dodger Stadium last season, Bostick hasn’t received a call-up this season despite his strong numbers. He knows that’s out of his control, though. He just wants to focus on sharpening his strengths.
“You kind of get exposed if you have holes, if you have things you don’t do well,” Bostick said of playing in the majors. “So you know you wanna work on your strengths. Obviously you want to work on your weaknesses, too. But if you can do the things you do well consistently, you should have a shot.”
The 5-foot-10 Bostick said he’d be “lying to you if I said I didn’t want to go back” to the big leagues. He had his taste last season. Bostick acquitted himself well with the Pirates in 2017, hitting .296 with a .406 on-base percentage and not making an error at second base or in left field.
It’s not an easy lineup to break into, though. The Pirates’ outfield features Austin Meadows, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco, who all ranked highly on prospect lists as minor leaguers. Bostick has never ranked in any major publication’s top 100 prospects. Josh Harrison, the Pittsburgh second baseman, is an eight-year big leaguer.
That doesn’t change his mindset. Twice before Tuesday’s game, Bostick said that he just has to “be ready” so that if he does receive the call from the Pirates, he can hit the ground running. He learned from his cup of coffee last year that the majors are still baseball, albeit with less margin for error.
“The big leagues, it’s not a different game,” Bostick said. “People are sharper, they don’t make as many mistakes.”
As of Tuesday, his batting average ranked second in the International League. Bostick has done his part. All it could take for his next big league shot could be an injury or a player on paternity leave or a trade.
Even amid a hot start, Bostick recognizes every time he steps on the field is all still a part of him trying to “earn a spot” and “prove that (he) can be a valuable Major League Baseball player.”
Bostick had to prove himself every step of the way as a 44th round selection who chose to pursue his professional dream instead of attending St. John’s. He had to prove himself to each of the four major league organizations he’s been a part of, having been a part of three different trades. Now that he’s played under the bright lights of the big leagues, he just wants to get back.
“My goal everyday is just to play well and do what I can to get better,” Bostick said. “So much is being in the right place at the right time. Hoping and scratching and clawing until you get that shot.”
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