It's not often that a Princeton student complains about having too much free time. So when senior Thomas Pauly says he misses "staying busy with work," you assume he's joking.
He's not.
But Pauly isn't your average just-finished-with-his-thesis senior. Unlike his classmates, he won't be spending the rest of the spring kicking back and having a few cold drinks at his favorite eating club.
No, Pauly will pass his time in strange hotel rooms and on long bus trips. He'll sleep late and play cards for hours on end. And every evening, he'll head to a ballpark in a tiny town somewhere in Virginia or the Carolinas, put on a uniform and play professional baseball.
Such is life in the minor leagues.
Growing up, Pauly never imagined he'd find himself in such a position one day. Only after his freshman year at Princeton, he says, when he noticed how much velocity he'd picked up on his fastball, did he begin to consider that he might be able to play professionally.
Indeed, Pauly's rapid improvement continued. By the end of his junior year last spring — he went 6-2 with a 1.46 earned-run average that year — he had cemented himself as a top prospect. So in June, when the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in the second round, with the 51st overall pick, the choice was easy.
"[Head baseball coach Scott Bradley] told me not to let the opportunity slip," Pauly said. "In his mind, there was no reason not to sign. He told me it was the smartest thing to do."
So, after signing a contract on July 14, as his classmates toiled away filing papers as summer interns, Pauly reported to the Dayton Dragons, the Reds' "Low-A" affiliate to begin his pro career.
After starting the season well, a cut finger hampered him for several starts, during which time Pauly says he "butchered" his numbers. He finished the season with a 2-5 record and a 4.02 ERA, numbers less impressive then his college stats, but in no way embarrassing.
Besides the injury, the biggest challenge came in his conversion from a closer to a starter. During his Tiger career, Pauly worked primarily from the pen, although he did start several times, including two complete game wins late last spring.
Still, Pauly refuses to use the change as an excuse for any poor performances.
"Pitching is pitching," he said, though admitting an adjustment in his mental approach was necessary.
"When you're closing, you're giving it your all the whole time," he said. "But as a starter, you have to be more reserved and spread it out a bit, maybe save that extra velocity for when you need it most."
After the season ended, Pauly returned to campus for the fall semester. He used the time to train with the Princeton squad while finishing his requirements in the chemical engineering department, including completing his thesis.
But instead of returning to campus after Intersession, Pauly traveled to Sarasota, Fla., for spring training. While the 10-hour days wore him out, he enjoyed rubbing shoulders with big leaguers. He recalls a conversation he had with Reds first baseman Sean Casey.
Although Pauly says he was disappointed with his numbers last year, he evidently impressed the Reds with his progress. He is starting the year with the Potomac Cannons, Cincinnati's "High-A" squad, a step up from last season.
He made his first start of the season last night, not thriving but holding his own. Pauly went two innings against the Kinston Indians of the Carolina League, giving up five hits and one run while surrendering one walk and striking out none.
He'd love to make it to 'AA' by the end of the summer but realizes he has little control over promotions. So in the meantime, he hopes to keep his ERA under three and let his pitching do the talking.
But while Pauly chases his dreams, his teammates back at Princeton play what would have been his senior season without him. Pauly says he misses hanging out with the Tigers and does his best to keep up with how they're doing.
Not surprisingly, he's been in contact with junior pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and junior centerfielder B.J. Szymanski, who are both considered likely first-round picks in this year's draft. He has encouraged them to follow his path.
After all, Pauly doesn't regret his decision to go pro a bit.
Sure, sometimes he still pines for Princeton, heavy workload and all. But he'll be back for graduation festivities, perhaps marching with his class. And he'll eventually snag a diploma too, once he finishes up his last four electives next fall.
But for now, Pauly is living out the fantasy of millions, getting paid to play a game he loves.
"I never dreamed about this," he says, "but now that it's happened, I'm just going to try and make it as far as I can."
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