How many years does it take to reach a career goal in life? Seven years seems to be a long period of preparation, but in seven years an individual can become a doctor, lawyer, chartered accountant, teacher with a master’s degree, complete apprenticeships in many trades and prepare for various other occupations and professions. Fortunately for aspiring baseball players , the preparation time is much less. They get drafted and in a short period of time become players at the highest level, major league baseball. Well, a few do. Most don’t actually make it to the big leagues. Others work at their trade for many years before grabbing the golden ring.

One such player is Josh Wall, 25, a second round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2005, selected after Luke Hochevar and Ivan DeJesus in that draft. He has labored eight years in the Dodger farm system and had never been an all-star, although at times has led his team in strikeouts, starts, innings pitched, complete games and even led the Midwest League in strikeouts. He has never been in the Dodgers top ten prospect list. Josh has never been promoted in the middle of a season, always finishing the season with the team with whom he began it. Needless to say, he has never received a September call up. He was added to the 40 man roster in 2011 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

It has taken Josh Wall eight years to make it to the Bigs, but as Clayton Kershaw said to the 25-year old after his recent call-up from Triple-A “Hey, buddy, you made it!”

That was then and this is now. Some of that recently changed. Josh was selected as a Pacific Coast league all star. Unexpectedly he was called up to the Dodgers from the Albuquerque Isotopes when Javey Guerra, unfortunately, went on bereavement leave to be with his ailing father. It is difficult to imagine the excitement Josh felt in getting the “call.” He knows his time with the Dodgers will be measured by how many days Guerra is on bereavement leave, a maximum of seven days.

What changed for Josh? He was used as a starter for his first six seasons with often less than encouraging results. He showed flashes of dominance but didn’t display the consistency needed to become a front line starter. In 2011 the Dodgers decided to convert Josh to a relief pitcher. He was promoted to the Lookouts, responding with a 4-5 record and 3.93 ERA in 51 games. He led the team in games and innings pitched by a reliever.

In 2012 Josh, 6’6” and 220 pounds, was assigned to the Albuquerque Isotopes where he currently leads the Pacific Coast League in games finished (32) and saves (18). His ERA is a bit lofty, the result of a disastrous outing before the all star break in which he surrendered five runs. In his previous nine appearances he had given up one earned run.

In his new role as a relief pitcher, Josh’s confidence has grown: “I knew I was having a pretty decent season, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting it (All-Star selection). I’m not nervous at all, just ready to go in, enjoy it and have fun. The move to the bullpen was good for me because it really simplified things as far as thinking about pitching. It was definitely weird at first, but I think I continue to get better and I’m starting to really put it all together on the mound.”

What does the future hold for Josh Wall? At this point, certainly more than the past as a starter. He has a strong fastball, a hard slider to induce ground balls, a decent curveball and a change up that is at least a work in progress. The “C” words now are essential for Josh: consistency and command. Josh doesn’t project as a MLB closer at this point, but neither did Joel Hanrahan as he wound his way through the Dodger system.

Josh Wall has made it to the big leagues, no longer just looking in from the outside. His stay may be brief, but he has cleared one more hurdle. He wears the Dodger uniform, not in ST, but in the dugout with all the others guys who have made it. He is now in a position for a September call up. He most likely will not forget his welcome from Clayton Kershaw. While Josh was speaking to reporters, Clayton jumped into his arms with a big smile and a welcome, “Hey, buddy, you made it!”