Scott Sprick took his pro chance to high-A with Orioles

New Orioles minor leaguer Scott Sprick started strong after signing in 1990, going 12 for 29, his hometown Grand Rapids Press wrote.

Having made it to the pros, Sprick told The Press he felt more relaxed. He could just play.

"There are guys (scouts) in the stands, who are watching," Sprick told The Press early that July. "If I do good, I do good. If I do bad, I can't change it. I figure, I've gotten this far. I just go to the plate and not worry."

Sprick played that year at rookie Bluefield. He went on to make high-A Frederick the next year, but that would be as high as he would get. His career consisted of those two seasons.

Sprick's career began that year in 1990, taken by the Orioles in the 24th round of the draft out of Jacksonville State University in Alabama.

At Jacksonville State in March 1990, Sprick hit three home runs in a game, going 4 for 4, The Anniston Star wrote.

"Sprick had the best day of his career, anywhere," Jacksonville State coach Rudy Abbott told The Star afterward. "You can't swing the bat any better than  that, unless you hit four home runs."

Sprick then started with the Orioles at Bluefield. He got into 62 games and ended up hitting .241 on the year. 

That December, he told The Press he was in line to play at high-A the next year and he looked forward to playing at higher levels. 

"You only get one chance to play Major League Baseball and this is my chance," Sprick told The Press. "I worked hard to get this far. Year-in and year-out I worked out and sacrificed a lot of time in baseball. But I love playing and it's an incredible experience."

Sprick made high-A Frederick in 1991. He saw 34 games there and hit .179. He then also played at short-season Erie. He saw 73 games at Erie and hit .250. That season marked his last as a pro.

• Anniston Star, April 1, 1990: Sprick sparks Jax State sweep
• Grand Rapids Press, July 5, 1990: Big leagues beckon West Ottawa graduate
• Grand Rapids Press, Dec. 23, 1990: West Ottawa grad has all the Christmas gifts he wants

More: The 1990 Bluefield Orioles

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,452
Made the Majors:1,424-32.0
Never Made Majors:3,028-68.0%-X

5+ Seasons in the Majors:577

10+ Seasons in the Minors:356

More 1990 Minor Leaguers:

 - Jerry Spradlin, Some Ability, 11/13/12
 - Ed Sprague, Strong and Healthy, 7/10/10

 - Scott Sprick took his pro chance to high-A with Orioles, 11/17/24
 - Dennis Springer, Being Different, 1/2/11
 - Steve Springer, Rather Play, 8/7/11
 - Robert Spurlock, Well Acquainted, 6/13/15

 - Al Stacey had big game for Geneva in 1989; Saw two pro seasons, 10/1/23

 - Matt Stairs thought about moving on, then made the next 15 major league seasons, 12/31/20
 - Mark Stancel, Bases Loaded, 12/26/16
 - Don Stanford saw encouragement at AA, 7/11/13