I don't think people realize how difficult it is to be a two-way player. Many kids do it at programs out of necessity because a program may lack talent through recruiting efforts or depth and need a pitcher or two to do it but to be a two-way player at a great program such ECSU or Chapman for example is something special. It takes an unselfish young man to do it. For the kids who do it such as Gilblair, Yacko and Wolf especially at an elite level, I along with many I'm sure wonder how good these kids would be if they decided to stick to one or the other. However, to be solid on both sides of the ball as opposed to better on one side or the other is more beneficial from a team standpoint but as an individual it can have an impact on the development of a player and his ability to be evaluated to play at the next level. However, in my opinion if scouts are doing their job it shouldn't matter because projection is key and that's what minor league instructors are there for and that is to develop talent. What I find so intriguing is the ability of these kids to recover and fight the natural effects of the physical breakdown of the body over a college season. It's hard to say and I'm sure it's different for each kid for a variety of reasons but how much do the reps on either side of the ball take away from the other? What's even more amazing to me is pitchers at the major league level who can flat out hit although not many, the one's who can amaze me such as Micah Owings. I think he had two four-hit games this year for the D-Backs and five or six homers I believe. I know he was a two-way player at Georgia Tech and then transfered to Tulane to do the same thing. On top of that to be able to pitch at that level and be productive is special.
