53-year-old pitcher drafted to MLB in 1991 becomes first pick in pro baseball league
In 1991, the San Francisco Giants selected Vincent Towns in the 36th round of the MLB Draft.
At just 18-years-old, Towns was drafted straight out of Suitland High School in Maryland and was thrown into the Giants minor league system.
However, things did not exactly go to plan, as Towns pitched in just two seasons for the Giants affiliate in the Arizona Summer League.
He posted a 1-2 record, with a 6.20 ERA before being released by the team. He would never play in affiliated baseball again.
Until now.
35-years after the Giants selected him in the 36th round, Towns was selected first overall by the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
“Of course not [expecting to be first pick], I have been at this for years, 33-years and I told myself, ‘I am not giving up’ and I didn’t… and it paid off,” Towns said after being drafted.
“Somebody saw me, somebody liked me, somebody signed me, that’s what faith is all about, not giving up, enduring no matter what, and it’s paid off.”
The Atlantic League serves as a top independent circuit for overlooked MLB draft prospects and players with eyes on a return to MLB.
The Long Island Ducks, for example, recently signed former Los Angeles Dodger and NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer as their Opening Day starter.
According to Diamond Digest’s Joel Arrick, Towns was the only player older than 30 chosen in the league’s draft, and it took a lot of work to get there.
“When I was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1991, I was an orthodox pitcher so I probably threw in the high-80s, mid-80s,” Towns added.
“I played a couple of years, and then got released and then I said to myself I would give myself until I was 40-years-old to get picked back up.
“By the time I turned 40, I didn’t get picked up and I had dropped a lot in my fastball, which usually happens.
“It ain’t over just because you get old, and it’s not over just because you can’t throw 90 [MPH], so I started throwing the knuckleball.
“For the last 13 years, I’ve been working on it and finally I got it good enough to get me drafted.”
The Knuckleball is a pitch thrown to minimize spin of the baseball in flight, causing an erratic, unpredictable motion.
The most notable knuckleballers include Hall-of-famer Hoyt Wilhelm and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield.
Former New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey won the 2012 NL Cy Young throwing a knuckleball 81.2 percent of the time.
Entering a trial at 53-years-old was daunting, but it’s something Towns embraced.
“It was exciting. The atmosphere was great, there were a lot of young guys with very strong arms, but I have been in this for years,” Towns continued.
“I just had to come, and hope and pray I could get my knuckleball over for strikes and I did today, except for one mistake.”
The Atlantic League season opens on Tuesday, April 21 with the Boxcars taking on the Ducks in Long Island, New York.
The Boxcars are yet to announce their Opening Day starter, but Towns will be hoping this could be the launchpad for a stunning return back to MLB.
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