Tyler Chatwood was an 18-year-old prospect from Southern California when a scout from the Angels called him into a batting cage. UCLA wanted him to play shortstop. The Angels liked him as a pitcher. So the scout gave him an ultimatum.
You get one pitch, Chatwood was told. Nail it over the fence and we’ll draft you as a hitter. Miss it and you’re a pitcher.
So Chatwood dug in, ready to rake. But the coach threw the ball to the other side of the cage. A setup. And Chatwood’s career as a pitcher was born.