Leaning on the experiences of a Major League Baseball pitcher could be just the tool Kyle Glogoski needs, as he continues to pursue his dream.
The 19-year-old pitcher is one of a handful of Kiwis on the roster for the Auckland Tuatara's debut season in the Australian Baseball League.
Glogoski has spent the year in Florida, where he played 'rookie ball' for the Philadelphia Phillies MLB franchise, impressing enough to earn a starting pitching role by the end of the season.
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The Aucklander is excited to be a part of New Zealand's first-ever professional baseball side, but picking the brain of former Arizona Diamondbacks starter Josh Collmenter will play a significant role in his development.
"I've been hanging off his shoulder a bit, he's probably a bit sick of me," Glogoski told Newshub.
"But I've been talking to him about how he handles the everyday routines of being a pitcher, and how he deals with success and failure, what he does to handle that - he's been great to talk to."
Collmenter, who also spent a year with the Atlanta Braves, has seven years of MLB experience to call on, providing a great sounding board for the young talent on the Tuatara roster.
The American has been impressed by his young protégé and hopes he can instil a few of the tricks of the trade he has learned throughout his career.
"I watched him pitch yesterday and had a chance to talk to him today," Collmenter told Newshub.
"We went over a few of the things the Phillies are doing, and compared that to what some of the stuff I have experienced and been around.
"I can't wait to spend some time around him and talk baseball.
"He's young and still learning about baseball, so anything I can give him that might help him have an edge going forward, that's what it's all about."
Glogoski signed a contract with the Phillies in December 2017, but as always in professional sport, nothing is guaranteed.
The Kiwi impressed during last season's ABL with the Sydney Blue Sox and that form continued during his stint in Florida.
Glogiski told Newshub it was surreal to receive his first gear kit.
"It was so cool," he said.
"I got to my locker and it had my jersey hanging up, with my name and number on it, and the Phillies logo on the front.
"I had a whole stack of boxes that my agent sent to me with my gloves and all of that stuff - it was so cool and reality set in that this was professional baseball."
As for the Tuatara's chances in their inaugural season, Glogoski is confident they will be very competitive.
The playing roster already includes two players with MLB experience, as well as young American talent already on the books of MLB teams.
Add to that several highly touted Asian signings, including Yuki Harada and Kuo hun-Wei, and the Tuatara could be eyeing the playoffs.
"I played for the Blue Sox last season and I think we will definitely be able to compete this year," says Glogoski.
"We have a great team here and we still have a few guys yet to arrive, so when they join up with us in Brisbane, it'll be one hell of a team.
"Can't wait to get rolling."
The Tuatara's season opens with an away series against the Perth Heat on November 16, before the first homestand against Brisbane, beginning November 23.
Newshub.
