Westmoreland playing for the GCL Astros in 2016.
Brody Westmoreland was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 30th round of the 2016 MLB Draft from College of Southern Nevada (NJCAA) signing for $75,000. Westmoreland spent two seasons in the Astros organization playing for their rookie ball affiliates in the Gulf Coast League and in Greenville, TN. Westmoreland shared his thoughts on the changes that need to be made to help MiLB players, his own Minor League experience, and the offseason grind that Minor Leaguers go through to make ends meet and work on their craft.
"I was a lucky MiLB player who had an amazing support system at home. This is not the case for most people. If I had to live off of the MiLB salary on my own during the season and offseason, I would have most likely been couch surfing or working 2 jobs while training just to make it paycheck to paycheck. During the season we make $1,100-1,500 a month. We get taxed, pay clubhouse dues, pay hotel/apartment rent, pay for 1-2 meals, and equipment. Yes, there are some guys that have agents or big signing bonuses, but the other 95% of the MiLB players signed for a bucket of baseballs and a chance to reach their dream of playing in the MLB. As an MiLB player, you only get paid during the regular season. In the offseason you're on your own. This is the hardest part of the MiLB grind. The offseason will make or break players. This is their chance to retool and develop for Spring Training. However, most guys are unable to get the most out of the offseason because they have to work a full-time job or two, train, recover, hit, and work on fielding. Time is our most important thing during the offseason. This gets taken away by the stress of having to supplement our income with jobs that are taking away from our focus to become the next MLB star.
I think MiLB needs to work on a compensation plan that will allow the athletes to get paid during the season and offseason. To be a professional athlete, it is no joke. We need to prepare physically and mentally to perform at the highest levels. Look at LeBron James and how much money he spends on his body every year. He spent millions of dollars to keep himself in the best shape possible with training, food, and recovery. The MLB and MiLB have very long and grueling seasons. Pay the players during the offseason and see how much better they come back for spring.
I was very fortunate that I had a family to support me during my time in the MiLB. They were there to help me financially. There is a story of another player who I played with that was a prospect in the Astros organization. He went back to Cuba during an offseason and came back down 15 pounds and not in shape to play. He told us he had to give all his time and money to his family during the offseason to provide for them. He has to work a job full time to keep his brothers and sisters fed. He was unable to spend his time in the offseason training and getting ready to make the 40-man roster the next spring. He had to spend it providing for his family."
- Brody Westmoreland