Pat Woodruff thought the pros wouldn't call, they did: Saw five pro seasons, made AA

After going undrafted in 1988, Pat Woodruff held out hope that someone would call, he recalled later to The Tampa Tribune.

Weeks later, after hearing nothing, he decided to give up on his dream and he quit baseball, he told The Tribune.

"Of course, a few hours after I quit baseball the Phillies called me up," Woodruff told The Tribune in 1991. "It was an easy decision to make."

Woodruff went on to a pro career that spanned five seasons. He played three of those campaigns in affiliated ball. He topped out at AA.

Woodruff's career began that year in 1988, signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent out of  the University of Texas at Arlington.

Woodruff started with the Phillies the next year, at single-A Spartanburg and short-season Batavia. He saw 54 games and hit .253. He also hit three home runs.

He then played 1990 at high-A Clearwater. He hit .240 over 135 games. He also stole 32 bases. He went 5 for 5 in a May game. 

Woodruff arrived with the Tigers for 1991 and split the season between high-A Lakeland and AA London. He hit .326 in 41 games at Lakeland and .212 in 59 games at London to end his affiliated career.

Woodruff, however, returned three seasons later, with the independent Tyler Wildcatters. 

"I'm only 27, I think that I still have a shot, and this league is a perfect opportunity," Woodruff told The Tyler Morning Telegraph upon signing. "I need to put up some good numbers an see what can happen."

Woodruff eventually played two seasons for Tyler. He hit .267 his first year and .265 in his second, to end his career.

• Tampa Tribune, May 15, 1991: Woodruff's resiliency pays off with Tigers
• Tyler Morning Telegraph: May 11, 1994: Tyler WildCatters Sign 1st BasemanWoodruff

More: 1990 Clearwater Phillies

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:3,762
Made the Majors:1,273-33.8%
Never Made Majors:2,489-66.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:524
10+ Seasons in the Minors:312