By Nathan Krohn
It’s just about every Little Leaguers dream to one-day play for their favorite Major League baseball team. For new Boise Hawks catcher, Steven Leonard, that dream has come true.
Originally from Monument, Colorado, Leonard was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2015 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies, the team he has been rooting for since he was a child.
“It was a dream come true,” Leonard said. “I grew up watching the Rockies and a lot of people, including myself, were excited when I got selected.”
Draft night was a surreal experience for Leonard, as he sat waiting for his name to be called.
“I got a call [from the Rockies] and they said they’d possibly take me in the next round,” said Leonard. “I turned on the TV and when my name slid across the bottom, I froze. I couldn’t believe it. Then I started jumping up and down and hugging everybody.”
Following the draft, Leonard bounced across the country in a few short days before making his debut with the Hawks on June 21.
“It was a crazy few days,” said Leonard. “I had flown from North Carolina to Maryland. Then I jumped on a plane and signed my contract at Coors field in Denver before flying to Boise.”
Finally in Boise, Leonard knows what he needs to do to earn playing time with the Hawks.
“I just need to work hard,” said Leonard. “Take the extra reps, learn the pitching staff and work hard.”
It’s just about every Little Leaguers dream to one-day play for their favorite Major League baseball team. For new Boise Hawks catcher, Steven Leonard, that dream has come true.
Originally from Monument, Colorado, Leonard was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2015 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies, the team he has been rooting for since he was a child.
“It was a dream come true,” Leonard said. “I grew up watching the Rockies and a lot of people, including myself, were excited when I got selected.”
Draft night was a surreal experience for Leonard, as he sat waiting for his name to be called.
“I got a call [from the Rockies] and they said they’d possibly take me in the next round,” said Leonard. “I turned on the TV and when my name slid across the bottom, I froze. I couldn’t believe it. Then I started jumping up and down and hugging everybody.”
Following the draft, Leonard bounced across the country in a few short days before making his debut with the Hawks on June 21.
“It was a crazy few days,” said Leonard. “I had flown from North Carolina to Maryland. Then I jumped on a plane and signed my contract at Coors field in Denver before flying to Boise.”
Finally in Boise, Leonard knows what he needs to do to earn playing time with the Hawks.
“I just need to work hard,” said Leonard. “Take the extra reps, learn the pitching staff and work hard.”