Outfielder Lamar Sparks has had quite the journey so far in professional baseball. The Texas native was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth round during the 2017 MLB draft. He went through a major tragedy in the minor leagues and eventually ended up playing baseball in an independent league for the Missoula PaddleHeads in 2022. Now, the Brewers have signed him to a minor league contract.
The development of Sparks game was hindered in the minor leagues due to injury. He had surgeries to address his labrum and shoulder, but was also hit in the face with a 94 MPH fastball and sustained multiple facial fractures. Prior to starting the 2022 baseball season, with the PaddleHeads, he talked a lot about the mental hurdles of that tragedy.
“When you’re in a batter’s box, usually facing a righty, their whole body and motion is coming toward you. When you see that coming off the mound after getting hit in the face, you have to work to get over it. My first time back, the first dude I was facing threw 100 and he threw three balls around the head that I had to get out of the way of. But you never give up. I had to focus on, ‘It’s going to go over the plate,’ instead of, ‘It’s coming at my face every time.'”
With the PaddleHeads, Sparks put up some insane numbers. The right-handed hitter had an astounding .399 batting average, hit 18 home runs, and had 85 RBI. Given his incredible season, he will now resume his baseball journey in the MiLB.
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed emerging outfielder Lamar Sparks to a minor league deal.
On twitter, the Missoula PaddleHeads shared the news on their feed. They also provided a few videos of his top moments from the 2022 season.
🚨BREAKING NEWS!🚨
2022 PaddleHeads All-Star Outfielder @SparksLamar has officially signed with the @Brewers organization!
We are so pumped for you and cannot wait to see flourish in this next chapter! 💚#GoPaddleHeads #PaddleUp pic.twitter.com/6nf7YBjkvU
— Missoula PaddleHeads (@GoPaddleHeads) January 4, 2023
Let’s take a look back at some of the best moments from @SparksLamar last season! pic.twitter.com/j0cKxPTgeb
— Missoula PaddleHeads (@GoPaddleHeads) January 4, 2023
Last but not least… Sparks knock out round walk off winner! #GoPaddleHeads #PaddleUppic.twitter.com/SLqsh8791z
— Missoula PaddleHeads (@GoPaddleHeads) January 4, 2023
It will be interesting to see where the Brewers place Sparks and to see how he performs in 2023. The Brewers have had a lot of recent success drafting and developing outfielders, so perhaps Sparks can be a breakout prospect this upcoming season.
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