At What Age Does a "Prospect" Become a Career Minor Leaguer or Journeyman?

If you scan AAA rosters, you still see players 25 and above filing out the rosters, and some of them still carry the "prospect" label. But some of them will never play in the majors, in fact they are destined to be traded or released.

So at what age would you give up on a player, assuming he's still playing and putting up numbers below what is required for the majors.

I was looking at one of our players, I won't mention who. A hard throwing pitcher, projected as a reliever in the majors. 19 IP, 23K's, 18 BB's, that's the kind of thing I mean, he's 26 years old.

jxhzut6156@sbcglobal.net2013-05-28T17:55:49Z

Favorite Answer

Signed as a prospect at age 18. Advanced rapidly through rookie, A and A+ and all the way to AA by age 21. Called up in Sept. and did OK but nothing great.

Went to spring training with the ML club age 22 Cut on last day and sent either to AA again or AAA

Next two years same thing. Age 25 now going on 26 Out of options. Either DFA or more or less a permanent non prospect, age 26.

Had fun on the way. Life is good!

Anonymous2013-05-28T17:22:22Z

A player is no longer considered a prospect one he reaches the age of 33 or the weight of 230 pounds, whichever comes first.

Slickterp2013-05-28T19:08:55Z

usually about 27-ish....

Most true prsopects reside at AA and below.