Month-End TTM Roundup: 5/3 - 6/5

Up until this month most of the TTM requests I sent out where primarily paid signings. Which is to say they were guaranteed to be returned one way or another, or I get a refund. But with minor league baseball starting up again I sent a few requests out for the first time in nearly two years. I don't expect those to come back but I do appreciate the ones that do.

Received On: 5/15/2021

Naturally the first TTM return from a MiLB ballpark this year came from a New York Yankees prospect, Hayden Wesneski.

Wesneski was drafted by the Yankees out of Sam Houston college in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Player Draft. The right hander is armed with a four seamer, a two seamer, a slider and a changeup and his fastball velo is usually in the mid-to-high 90 mph range. Wesneski was a starter in college and so far Wesneski has made two starts with Hudson Valley as he is eased back into the grind. He'll likely continue to start until he shows he can't, a lot can change in a few years but it wouldn't surprise me if Hayden eventually makes it to the majors as one of the many starter-relievers riding the Scranton shuttle back up and down triple-A and MLB until his options are used up. Until then, best of luck to the George Strait fan.

Received On: 5/22/2021

Next up is a return a few years in the making, courtesy of current 49ers wide receiver, Richie James.

James was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Player Draft out of Middle Tennessee State University. After an impressive collegiate career his playing time has been limited due to his use as a specialist, but he's been sure to make as much of the limited time has has gotten, like when he destroyed the Packers once with 184 receiving yards and a touchdown.

What the future has in store for James is a big question mark but fingers crossed he can get some more time to showcase his offensive potential soon.

Received On 5/27/2021

Here's a return from Yankees prospect Sean Boyle.

Boyle was drafted by the Yankees in the 25th round of the 2018 MLB Player Draft out of Dallas Baptist University. Boyle hails from Selden, NY making him a rare Yankees prospect born and raised in New York State (hell yeah!), originally pitched for Suffolk County Community College before transferring to Dallas Baptist and had quite a showing as a reliever. Boyle is said to be armed with a low-to-mid 90's fastball and a gnarly slider that can get strikes when he needs them.

Also pretty fun is that Boyle is the first TTM return I've had in a while that came back with a note. Always cool. Thanks a ton Sean!

Received On: 6/4/2021

Next up is a return from Capitals center, Lars Eller.

Eller hails from Rødovre, Denmark and his amateur career starts all the way back in 2004 in the Danish Division leagues. Eller would eventually move to Sweden to continue to hone his craft before being noticed as one of the best draft prospects in the world, the St. Louis Blues would then draft him in the first round of the 2007 NHL Draft. After a few more seasons in the Swedish hockey leagues Eller made it stateside in the 2009-10 season and made his NHL debut that same season as well. However before the 2010-11 season he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jaroslav Halák and he'd go on to be a fixture for them for six straight years (although one of those years was the lockout shortened season). Prior to the 2016-17 season he was traded to the Washington Capitals and would go on to be a key fixture as them as well. Also apparently he is the first Denmark native to win a Stanley Cup after the Capitals won it all in the 2018 Stanley Cup finals.

Received On: 6/4/2021

Here's a paid autograph signing courtesy of Bobby Abreu.

Abreu hails from Venezuela and was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Houston Astros back in 1990. Abreu became one of the Astros' top prospects and eventually made his MLB debut in 1996. Abreu would be with the Astros for another season until he was taken by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1997 Expansion Draft, he was immediately flipped to the Philadelphia Phillies for nothing. A move that turned out great for Philly since in Abreu they got a mainstay in their outfield from 1998 to 2006. During that span he'd be voted to two All Star Games, win a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger award, and Phillies Player of the Year awards. He was then traded to the Yankees for nothing and had two and a half pretty decent seasons in the Bronx. Abreu then went on to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, then the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies again and the New York Mets before eventually retiring 2015. Not a bad career all things considered, I'm sure many minor leaguers would kill to have a career half as long or good.

And those were my returns this past month. Big thanks to Mr. Wesneski, James, Boyle, Eller and Abreu for the awesome autographs.

As always thank you (the readers) for stopping by. Take care.

2021 TTM Count: 21

Sources:
*https://www.milb.com/player/hayden-wesneski-669713
*https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JameRi00.htm
*https://www.milb.com/player/sean-boyle-682044
*https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/e/ellerla01.html
*https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreubo01.shtml