From Strikeouts to Success Why Failure Fuels Great Baseball Players

My memo-

Baseball, often called “America’s pastime,” is a game of inches and fractions of seconds. The margin for error is slim, and the chance of success can sometimes feel even slimmer. Yet, it is precisely this challenge that makes baseball so rewarding. For anyone aspiring to be a professional baseball player, understanding that failure is a crucial part of the game is essential. No matter how talented you are, failure is inevitable. The key is learning how to respond to it, grow from it, and become a better player and teammate.

Even the greats—legends like Derek Jeter, Pete Rose, and Aaron Judge—have experienced failure. They’ve struck out, made errors, and had slumps. Yet, these moments did not define their careers. What defined them was their resilience, work ethic, and how they handled adversity both on and off the field.

In this memo, I will explore why failure is a natural part of baseball, how to embrace it, and why working hard to improve while maintaining a positive attitude and being a good teammate can set you on the path to success. I will also discuss what scouts look for in a player, both in terms of skills and character, and how your ability to handle failure can impress them just as much as your on-field performance.

Baseball is a Game of Failure

The unique nature of baseball lies in the fact that it’s a game built on failure. Unlike basketball or football, where high success rates are expected from top players, baseball’s greatest hitters fail more than they succeed. Consider this: a .300 batting average in Major League Baseball (MLB) is considered excellent. That means a player is getting a hit just three out of every ten at-bats. Even the best are failing 70% of the time!

This statistic is not meant to discourage; rather, it highlights that failure is embedded in the fabric of the game. Every player who has ever donned a uniform, from Little League to the Major Leagues, has experienced failure.

Derek Jeter: A Legend Who Embraced Failure

Derek Jeter, one of the most revered players in MLB history, is a prime example of someone who not only faced failure but used it as a springboard for success. Over his illustrious 20-year career with the New York Yankees, Jeter became known for his clutch performances, leadership, and consistency. But even Jeter, who collected over 3,000 hits, had moments of failure.

Jeter once said, “You’re going to fail more than you succeed in this game. You’re going to have your ups and downs, and you’ve got to have the right frame of mind to deal with it.” Jeter understood that failure was part of the journey, and he worked tirelessly to overcome it.

He made errors, struck out in key situations, and went through slumps like any other player. But he never let those failures define him. Instead, he maintained a relentless work ethic, staying after practice to refine his skills, and always approached the game with a positive mindset. His ability to bounce back from failure and be resilient in tough situations is one of the reasons he is remembered as one of the greatest players in baseball history.

Pete Rose: The All-Time Hit Leader Who Battled Through Adversity

Pete Rose, MLB’s all-time hit leader with 4,256 hits, is another example of a player who faced failure head-on. Rose was known for his fierce competitiveness, earning the nickname “Charlie Hustle” because of his relentless effort on the field. However, Rose did not get to the top without experiencing his share of failures.

Throughout his career, Rose experienced slumps, made errors, and struck out in critical moments. But like Jeter, Rose used those moments of failure to fuel his desire to improve. He worked harder, focused on the little things, and never let failure shake his confidence.

Rose once said, “You can’t be afraid to make a mistake. If you’re afraid to make a mistake, you’re going to make one.” This mindset allowed him to play fearlessly and with passion. He embraced failure as part of the process, and that attitude made him one of the most durable and successful players in the history of the game.

Aaron Judge: From Struggles to Stardom

Aaron Judge, one of the modern-day stars of the New York Yankees, is a player who has experienced both tremendous success and notable struggles. Judge burst onto the scene in 2017, hitting 52 home runs and winning the American League Rookie of the Year award. However, his path to stardom wasn’t always smooth.

In his first season in the minor leagues, Judge struggled with striking out and inconsistent performance at the plate. But instead of becoming discouraged, Judge took those failures as opportunities to learn and grow. He focused on refining his swing, improving his plate discipline, and working on his overall approach to the game.

Judge’s rise to prominence is a testament to his ability to persevere through failure. Even at the Major League level, he has faced challenges, including injury setbacks and prolonged slumps. Yet, like the greats before him, Judge never let those setbacks define him. He continued to work hard, adjust, and stay positive, which has made him one of the most feared hitters in the game today.

Handling Failure as a Pitcher: Lessons from Gerrit Cole

It’s not just hitters who face failure; pitchers experience it just as much, if not more. A pitcher’s job is to get outs, but every pitcher will give up hits, runs, and even home runs. Gerrit Cole, one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB, knows this reality all too well.

Cole has faced some of the best hitters in the world and, like every other pitcher, has given up his fair share of home runs. No matter how good a pitcher you are, there will always be days when things don’t go your way—when your best pitch gets hit out of the park.

The important lesson here is that, as a pitcher, you must have a short memory. Dwelling on the home run you gave up or the mistake pitch that cost your team will only hurt your performance. Cole, like other elite pitchers, focuses on the next pitch, not the last one. He doesn’t let one bad outing or one bad inning define him. Instead, he works on improving and making adjustments.

As an aspiring professional pitcher, you will have days when your fastball isn’t working, or you hang a breaking ball that gets crushed. It’s important to understand that this is part of the game. What matters most is how you respond to those moments. Can you come back stronger? Can you keep your composure? These are the traits scouts look for in a pitcher.

What Scouts Are Really Looking For

One of the most important things to understand as a young player with professional aspirations is that scouts are not just evaluating your physical abilities—they are also looking at your mental toughness, attitude, and character. A scout knows that every player will fail at some point. What separates the players who make it to the next level from those who don’t is how they handle failure.

Mental Toughness

Scouts are watching closely to see how you respond when things don’t go your way. Do you get frustrated after an error or a strikeout, or do you shake it off and focus on the next play? Mental toughness is one of the most important qualities a scout looks for because baseball is a game of constant adjustments. The ability to stay calm and composed in the face of adversity is critical.

Work Ethic

How hard do you work to improve your game? Scouts take note of players who are willing to put in the extra work, whether it’s taking extra batting practice, staying late to work on fielding, or watching video to study your mechanics. A strong work ethic is often what sets successful players apart from the rest. Talent is important, but without hard work, it will only take you so far.

Coachability

Scouts also pay attention to how you interact with your coaches. Are you open to feedback, and do you apply what you’ve learned to improve your performance? Being coachable is an important trait because it shows that you are willing to learn and grow. Players who think they already know everything often struggle to reach their full potential because they aren’t open to making necessary adjustments.

Teamwork and Attitude

Baseball is a team sport, and scouts are looking for players who are good teammates. How do you treat your fellow players? Are you encouraging and supportive, or are you focused solely on your own success? Scouts want players who can contribute to a positive team culture because that’s the kind of player who will make the team better, both on and off the field.

Being a good sport is also important. No one likes a player who shows up their opponent or complains about bad calls. Scouts notice these things, and they want to see players who handle themselves with class and respect for the game.

Learning from Failure and Growing as a Player

Failure is not the end; it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. In fact, some of the best lessons you will ever learn as a baseball player will come from your failures. When you strike out, make an error, or give up a home run, ask yourself: What can I learn from this? How can I improve?

For example, if you’re a hitter and you strike out on a breaking ball in the dirt, think about why you swung at that pitch. Did you recognize it too late? Did you guess wrong on the pitch sequence? Use that failure as a chance to study and improve your pitch recognition and plate discipline.

If you’re a pitcher who gave up a big home run, analyze the pitch. Did you miss your location? Was your pitch selection wrong? Failure gives you valuable feedback that can help you adjust and become a smarter, more effective player.

My Bottom Line-

Don’t Let Failure Define You

The most important thing to remember is that failure does not define you as a player or a person. What defines you is how you respond to failure. Every great player has failed, but they didn’t let those moments hold them back. Instead, they used failure as motivation to work harder and get better.

The road to becoming a professional baseball player is long and filled with ups and downs. You will have great games where everything clicks, and you’ll have games where nothing goes right. The key is to keep a level head, stay positive, and continue working toward your goals.

Remember, even players like Derek Jeter, Pete Rose, Aaron Judge, and Gerrit Cole faced failure. But they didn’t let it stop them. They embraced it, learned from it, and kept moving forward.

So, when you fail—and you will—don’t get discouraged. Keep your head up, stay focused, and most importantly, be a good teammate. Scouts are not just looking for talent; they’re looking for players who can handle adversity, work hard, and lift up those around them. If you can do that, you’re already on the right path to success in baseball.

Failure is a part of baseball, but it doesn’t have to be a setback. It can be the very thing that propels you forward—if you let it.