Ronnie Richardson got drafted, saw 5 pro seasons, high-A
Mississippi high schooler Ronnie Richardson called the exciting part that week waiting by the phone to hear where he was heading in the 1987 draft, according to The Associated Press.
He soon learned where he'd be going: The Red Sox.
"Knowing that I got a phone call the night of the draft and knowing that I was drafted by Boston was a great feeling," Richardson told The AP in his home state.
Richardson went on from there to see the pros over five seasons. He topped out at high-A.
Richardson's career began that year in 1987, taken by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the draft out of Lee High School in Mississippi.
Richardson started with the Red Sox at short-season Elmira. He went 5-8, with a 3.66 ERA in 17 outings, 15 starts.
He moved to single-A Lynchburg for 1988 and went 4-10, with a 4.68 ERA in 29 outings, 20 starts. That July, he spoke to The Jackson Clarion-Ledger about his slow start.
"I've got to be more consistent," Richardson told The Clarion-Ledger. "I've got to throw strikes. That's been my biggest problem this year: Inconsistency with my pitches."
That fall, he went to instructional league and believed he'd gotten things together, winning an award for his efforts, The Lynchburg News and Advance wrote.
"When I went from the Carolina League to instructional league, I wanted to put what happened during the season in the past," Richardson told The News and Advance that April. "I knew I couldn't change it. So I went to instructional league, worked hard and it paid off."
Richardson returned to Lynchburg for 1989 for another 16 starts. He went 5-4, with a 2.97 ERA. He then saw high-A Winter Haven for 1990. He went 0-8 in 34 outings, six starts, with a 4.34 ERA.
Richardson returned one more time to Lynchburg for 1991. He went 3-4, with a 4.46 ERA in 25 outings, six starts to end his career.
- Vicksburg Post, Associated Press, June 5, 1987: Columbus Lee's Richardson Signs With Boston
- Jackson Clarion-Ledger, July 8, 1988: Rocky road
- Lynchburg News and Advance, April 7, 1989: Pitching staff blends youth and experience, Part 2
Made the Majors:1,482-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,216-68.4%-X