Success leads to opportunity

A player’s journey from LSU to Professional baseball

Jessica Allen | Sports Writer | @Jessdaleallen

 
From playing in front of sell-out crowds of 10,000 dedicated fans at Alex Box Stadium on the campus of Louisiana State University to playing for an average of 2,200 Owlz fans per game at Brent Brown Ballpark, Jared Foster is making a successful transition from college baseball to the Professional ranks.

“It’s awesome [playing pro-ball]. You come from college where you are surrounded by guys who are your family and that you’ve been with them for an extended period of time and you come here,” said Foster. “You learn quick and get to meet people you’ve played against but you might not know. It’s pretty cool.”

During his time at LSU, Foster spent a couple seasons as a back up quarterback for the Tigers. However, his football career was cut short with a foot injury. The injury was almost more detrimental for the LSU baseball team, though.

After Foster’s junior year when he was not drafted in the 2014 Major League Baseball first year draft, he seriously considered giving it all up.

“I was thinking about just getting my degree and moving on,” Foster said.

Foster didn’t give it up. Instead he went back to LSU for his senior season and helped lead the Tigers to a No. 1 ranking and a berth in the College World Series. Foster was second on the team with 10 home runs.

His performance at LSU led to him being drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was one of nine LSU players drafted in the 2015 draft. He played most of his career at LSU at second base but the Angels picked him up as a right fielder.

“I am glad I came back and did what I had to do to get back on the field and continue playing and give it my all. It turned out well.”

Playing center field in the Angels organization with the hope of making it to the Major Leagues is a tall task for Foster. That would mean taking over for American League MVP candidate Mike Trout, who at 24 years old, is putting up monster numbers each year.

It doesn’t deter Foster as he spends a lot of time watching how Trout plays the game. He watches, learns and tries to implement the things Trout does on the field to become a better player with the hope of one day moving up in the organization and getting his shot.

He took a big step forward towards that goal on July 31. Foster was the first Owlz player to hit for the cycle in four years. He did this against Grand Junction. He showed his gratitude the following day to all his supporters on Twitter. He also got a shout out from the Angels.

As part of playing in the Angels organization, Foster gets a chance to play baseball in an area that is unknown to him. Foster appreciates the opportunity that his first time in Utah has provided. He also enjoys being able to walk outside without dripping sweat like he did during the humid Louisiana summers. When he’s not getting used to 10-hour drives on a bus to away games, he’s taking in the beautiful Wasatch front.

“I have never been to Utah…[the] weather is great,” Foster said. “It’s pretty cool to be able to stand in the outfield and see the mountains in the background. Its pretty sweet, I’m not used to that.”