SALT LAKE CITY — The Bees don't have a chance to make the playoffs. At this point, even making it back to .500 is an extreme long shot. But you won't see any Salt Lake players giving anything less than full effort during the final six weeks of the season.
The reason?
There's always somebody watching.
With all 30 teams constantly scouting the talent in both their own and their competitors' farm systems, players know they're always on display. The business side of the game doesn't take into account the team's place in the standings or its home/road splits. It doesn't matter that the season is quickly winding down. It cares about performance.
Each player has a unique background that keeps him going day in and day out.
Freddy Sandoval was a rising star in Anaheim's system in 2008, when he was named the Angels' Minor League Player of the Year. Three years and three different injuries later, Sandoval is finally back on the diamond, relishing his chance at redemption.
"It feels unbelievable to be back here," Sandoval said. "The last few years have been really rough, being hurt. Being back is the greatest thing in the world — I feel like a little kid again. I'm just taking it one day at a time and hoping for the best."
During his absence from baseball, Sandoval kept busy with other things. He was able to be with his wife each day of a difficult pregnancy and he spent the first year of his son's life by his side. He also hit the books — he's halfway to a master's degree in Human Resource Management.
For him, though, his non-baseball future is on hold for an enjoyable present on the field.
For journeyman infielder Gil Velazquez, each passing game represents a chance to hang on to the dream of playing pro ball.
"At this point in my career — 14 seasons, pretty much all in the minor leagues — I'm just trying to play the game as long as I can," Velazquez said. "Now that I'm here, things are going really well. I just want to keep getting better and moving forward."
So far this season, Velazquez has hit a career-high .366. He also appeared in his first All-Star Game.
Hank Conger views his baseball life from the other end of the spectrum — he's an up-and-coming stud who, at 23, spent the entire season with the Angels before he was sent back down to Salt Lake on Wednesday. After a hot start to the season, the young catcher had hit only .191 since May 1.
Returning to Triple-A, where he was one of the most popular players on Salt Lake's roster last season, is a letdown for Conger after he got an extended taste of life in the majors. But it's also a time where he'll get to play each day and refine his defensive skills behind the plate.
"Obviously I was disappointed when I got sent down, but I know there's more ahead of me," Conger said. "I know the areas I need to improve in order to get back up, and I'm excited to be here to work on those things."
Matt Palmer, who struck out nine in 7 2/3 innings against Sacramento Wednesday night, along with Reggie Willits, Paul McAnulty and Andrew Romine, are in the same boat: guys who have seen considerable time with the Angels and stand a chance of getting a late-season call-up.
With a 4-3 win over Sacramento, the Bees now sit with a record of 42-56. And with 25 of their final 45 games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, the team will still have plenty of chances to put on a show.
"It doesn't matter who you're playing or if you're 50 games behind or 50 games ahead, you need to play the game the same way," Sandoval said. "Things have been tough lately, but it's never too late to turn it around. We're here to win, and we're here to play for the fans. Hopefully they'll be happy the rest of the season."
email: mpayne@desnews.com