Updated: February 22, 2017 4:00 pm PT

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(Re-posted from December 2, 2016)

It was one of the lowest moments of my blogging career. It happened during spring training 2016 while I was at Camelback Ranch covering the Dodgers.

Late one afternoon I had wandered on down to the backfields at the Ranch to watch and visit with my friend, Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect Lindsey Caughel, who was working his way back from labrum surgery in his right shoulder. He was having a great camp and felt confident that he would be assigned to at least Double-A Tulsa and perhaps even Triple-A Oklahoma City, and with good cause. Prior to his surgery and even afterwards the then 25-year-old Ocoee, Florida native had been an absolute workhorse and innings-eater.

In his two seasons with the Dodgers Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Caughel logged an incredible 203.1 innings pitched, during which he struck out 193, walked only 41 and posted a 12-12 record and 3.81 ERA. His K/9 average was an impressive 8.5 and his BB/9 a minuscule 1.8. And while these may not have been top-of-the-rotation-type numbers, they were most certainly excellent middle-of-the-rotation numbers.

Caughel has always been known for his ability to pitch deep into games and for his excellent command and control. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

After an enjoyable early dinner together, I dropped Lindsey off at his nearby hotel. Before leaving I asked him to please let me know where he gets assigned. He said that he would and we said our goodbyes.

By every appearance the Dodgers 23rd-round selection from the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Stetson University in DeLand, Florida was well on his way to fulfilling his lifelong dream of making it the the big leagues.

…and then disaster struck.

The following afternoon I overheard several minor leaguers saying that they had just received their respective minor league assignments. I was somewhat surprised by this because I hadn’t heard from Lindsey yet. I fully understood that I was not a high priority on his notification list but certainly thought that I would have heard from him by late afternoon.

After returning to my motel room I shot Lindsey a quick text: “Any word yet?”

He replied within seconds:

“I was released by the Dodgers today.”

I was in shock. “How could this be?” I asked myself. The guy was exactly what the Dodgers needed – a strong, middle-of-the-rotation innings-eater who averaged nearly a strikeout per inning. There must be some mistake here, the Dodgers would never do such a thing.

There was no mistake and the Dodgers had. After a brief text exchange Lindsey informed me that he would be heading home to Florida in the morning. I felt horrible for the guy and could’t even imagine how he felt.

Several weeks later I received a text from Caughel informing me that he had signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association, a 12-team independent league with teams located throughout America’s heartland and Winnipeg, Canada. And though there are some who consider indy ball (as it is affectionately called) as a last desperate step before leaving professional baseball, Caughel saw it as a golden opportunity to continue chasing his dream of one day making it to the major leagues.

Not only did the now 26-year-old right-hander succeed in the American Association, he was named the league’s Pitcher of the Year after posting a 6-3 record and a remarkable 2.09 ERA in 19 games (17 starts) with the Saltdogs. Along the way he struck out 120 while walking only 24 in his team-high 124.2 innings pitched. (Did I mention that he’s a workhorse?).

But wait, there’s more!

Caughel also elected to play for the Tigres de Aragua of the Venezuelan Winter League where he went 1-1 in his four starts. Why only four starts, you ask? Because last week he got the phone call he had been waiting for. He was offered a minor league contract by the Seattle Mariners.

“The Mariners told me that they’ve been following me for quite some time, even before indy ball,” said a clearly excited Caughel. “They liked what they saw in me and they are really a great organization … very family oriented. I’m stoked. I’m very excited and thankful for this opportunity.”

At 26 years of age and with a combined five minor league seasons under his belt, Caughel is hoping to at least begin the 2017 season at Double-A Arkansas and even more so at Triple-A Tacoma. When he and his agent mentioned this to the Mariners, Caughel was both pleased and surprised with their response.

“They told me that they expect me to be pitching in the major leagues in 2018,” Caughel said. “They’re not just looking at me as minor league depth, they consider me a legitimate prospect.”

Regardless of what happens from here on for the 6’3″- 205-pound hard-throwing right-hander, it is impossible not to admire the tenacity, perseverance and courage of Lindsey Caughel and his never-quit mentality and attitude. It’s also impossible not to pull for a guy like that either.

As they say, “Good things come to those who wait.”

Godspeed to you Lindsey.

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Updated: February 22, 2017 4:00 pm PT – Caughel received an invitation to the Mariners early spring training ‘Mini Camp,’ where he is currently stretching himself out to be a starter within the Mariners organization. If all continues to go well, Caughel hopes to begin the 2017 season with the Mariners Double-A affiliate Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League, where he will square off against some of his former Dodger teammates with the (wait for it…) Tulsa Drillers.