After ending up a powerful collegiate profession, that included time with Spoon River Faculty, Kentucky Wesleyan and the DeLand Suns within the Florida Collegiate Summer season League, Robert Chayka was seeking to show he may compete on the subsequent degree.
His senior stats actually confirmed that he may very well be an asset. In 54 video games with Kentucky Wesleyan, his stats have been stable ( .336 BA, .398 OPB, .521 SLG) whereas scoring 53 runs and hitting 11 doubles, a triple, 9 dwelling runs and driving in 43.
Following his senior season, Chayka turned to the California Winter League to hunt out a chance.
“I selected the CWL as a result of it was the most effective alternative for me to showcase my abilities,” Chayka defined. “It had good housing, respectable meals, a pleasant stadium to play at in a fantastic location, and most significantly the chance is there!
“Group tryouts for indy ball simply weren’t sufficient to catch a coach’s consideration. I’m not a participant the place my bodily look or some radar quantity goes to get their consideration. I wanted a spot to go the place coaches can really watch me play video games.”
The California Winter League supplied all of that and extra as a step into the world of impartial baseball. The bounce from school ball to the CWL supplied various ranges of competitors with a bit extra of the cut-throat degree of play seen in indy ball.
“You may have a mix of gamers there, anyplace from professional guys already, all ranges of school and older adults making an attempt to stay their dream once more. You possibly can have a man throwing 95mph one sport and the subsequent 80mph,” Chayka stated of the competitors.
“In school ball, it’s all in regards to the workforce and making any sacrifices you may to win. Whereas the CWL, for lots of people, is their final shot to proceed to play baseball, so you need to do what’s finest for you and never care about anybody else there. It might sound harsh, however that’s the mentality you must have when it may be your solely and final alternative to play.”
Fortunately for Chayka, it wasn’t his final alternative. After going 10 for 25 with 5 RBI, the Washington Wild Issues supervisor, Tom Vaeth who attends the CWL yearly, noticed one thing he preferred and signed him to a contract for the Frontier League season.
“The month-long format of the CWL actually offers me an opportunity to really evaulate gamers and perceive their strengths and the way they may match on my roster,” stated Vaeth.
Vaeth’s decide up was a wise transfer as Chayka had an outstanding rookie season that had him within the dialogue for Rookie of the 12 months honors by the tip of the season.
Whereas taking part in in 81 video games, he slashed .293/.396/.441 together with 17 doubles, two triples, six dwelling runs and 43 RBI whereas stealing 23 bases and drawing 35 walks. Within the outfield, he had a .995 fielding share with just one error. (Washington Wild Issues)
Chayka loved his first season {of professional} baseball with the Wild Issues.
“My first season in professional ball was nice! I’ve rather a lot to be taught nonetheless, however general I loved every part about it. Touring, the fixed video games, nice teammates, the environment of our dwelling video games and meals after the video games.”
His coaches additionally loved having him for his rookie campagin. Wild Issues Bench Coach, Ryan Whithorn, had glowing reward when requested about Chayka.
“I’m actually pleased with the best way his rookie season went. He got here into camp with a chance to make the roster after showcasing his talents within the California Winter League; nothing was assured for him. He didn’t see a lot motion early on however continued to work laborious and put together. As soon as his time got here, he ran with it. Chayka can go get it within the outfield, he runs the bases properly, and he swings the bat with intent. He performs with a chip on his shoulder and in Washington we promote ‘Baseball with an Angle.’ He’s greater than confirmed he belongs right here.”
The workforce agrees that he has actually confirmed himself and deserves to be a mainstay on the roster. The Wild Issues introduced earlier this month that Chayka can be returning for his second season this summer season.
“I’m excited in regards to the re-sign, and glad to be going again to Washington.” When requested about his targets going ahead, Chayka replied, “The workforce aim would clearly be to win all of it, however individually I need to preserve it easy and simply do higher than final yr. I additionally suppose getting sponsored by Ghost can be superior! I solely drink their vitality drinks each sport.”
*Creator notice* I can 100% verify that Chayka drinks nothing however Ghost pregame. Let’s get this man a sponsorship!
The Washington Wild Issues and Robert Chayka are set to open the season at dwelling Friday, Might 10 in opposition to the Schaumburg Boomers.
The California Winter League is about to begin on January twenty second. For extra info on the CWL, take a look at their web site HERE.
(All images courtsey of Robert Chayka’s Instagram)
