The Remarkable Journey and Rookie Season of Evan Gattis

Evan Gattis has had a remarkable journey in his rookie season playing for the Atlanta Braves. He also has a remarkable story of how he came to be where he is today. Evan Gattis' journey to where he is today is similar to Los Angeles Angels player Josh Hamilton's journey back to baseball. Evan Gattis committed to play baseball for Texas A&M out of high school. Evan Gattis became scared at the idea of failing at the game of baseball at a higher level. He turned to alcohol and marijuana for his anxiety issues because of his fear of failing at a higher level.

Evan Gattis did not go to college but instead he went to a rehab center to try and deal with his problems that he had. After he got out of rehab, he went to a junior college in Oklahoma, where he played for a half of season and got burned out on the game of baseball. He took many odd jobs to earn money after being burned out on the game of baseball. Some of the odd jobs that Evan Gattis had was being a janitor and he was a ski lift operator, he even worked at Yellowstone National Park.

Evan Gattis made his baseball return in 2010 and played with his step brother on his college baseball team. Later that year the Atlanta Braves selected Evan Gattis in the 23rd round of 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. Evan Gattis had a hard time in his seasons of pro ball. Many experts predicted that Evan Gattis would never make the Atlanta Braves roster because the Braves have all star catcher Brian McCann and that was his position in the minor leagues. Evan Gattis decided to switch to left field because he knew that he was blocked in his journey to the Major Leagues by McCann at catcher.

Then this season after playing in the Winter Baseball League in Venezuela, the Braves were impressed enough with the way Gattis played to give him a chance in Spring Training to make the Opening Day roster. Evan Gattis played really well in Spring Training and he got his chance in the Major Leagues as a catcher when Braves starting catcher Brian McCann had off-season shoulder surgery and started the season on the disabled list. Evan Gattis impressed the Braves coaches so much during Spring Training that he got to start at catcher in just the second game of the Braves season.

Evan Gattis has been such an inspiration to many people that thought he would never reach his dream of playing pro baseball. He has also been an inspiration to people on not giving up on your dreams. Evan Gattis is a real contender so far for the National League Rookie of the Year as he as arguably been the best rookie in baseball this season. According to Baseball Reference, Evan Gattis has a batting average of .263 and he has 13 home runs. He is nicknamed "El Oso Blanco," which means white bear in spanish. Evan Gattis got his nickname in Venezuela Winter League because of his home run power. Evan Gattis' journey to the Major Leagues  has been really remarkable and that is why he is a feel good story. Being a an Atlanta Braves fan, I hope that Gattis continues his success and wins the National League Rookie of the Year.

 

Here is a picture of the Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis, catching during his remarkable season so far.