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<\/a><\/p>\n4<\/p>\n
At just 18-years-old, Towns was thrown into the San Francisco Giants system straight out of High SchoolCredit: Getty<\/p>\n
However, things did not exactly go to plan, as Towns pitched in just two seasons for the Giants affiliate in the Arizona Summer League.<\/p>\n
He posted a 1-2 record, with a 6.20 ERA before being released by the team. He would never play in affiliated baseball<\/a> again.<\/p>\n Until now. <\/p>\n 35-years after the Giants selected him in the 36th round, Towns was selected first overall by the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.<\/p>\n MORE FROM THE MLB<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not [expecting to be first pick], I have been at this for years, 33-years and I told myself, \u2018I am not giving up\u2019 and I didn\u2019t\u2026 and it paid off,\u201d Towns said after being drafted.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSomebody saw me, somebody liked me, somebody signed me, that’s what faith is all about, not giving up, enduring no matter what, and it\u2019s paid off.\u201d<\/p>\n The Atlantic League serves as a top independent circuit for overlooked MLB<\/a> draft prospects and players with eyes on a return to MLB.<\/p>\n The Long Island Ducks, for example, recently signed former Los Angeles Dodger<\/a> and NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer as their Opening Day starter.<\/p>\n According to Diamond Digest\u2019s Joel Arrick<\/a>, Towns was the only player older than 30 chosen in the league\u2019s draft, and it took a lot of work to get there.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was drafted by the San Francisco Giants<\/a> in 1991, I was an orthodox pitcher so I probably threw in the high-80s, mid-80s,\u201d Towns added.<\/p>\n \u201cI played a couple of years, and then got released and then I said to myself I would give myself until I was 40-years-old to get picked back up.\u00a0<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Towns was selected first overall by the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in the 2026 Atlantic League DraftCredit: Facebook \/ Hagerstown Flying Boxcars 4<\/p>\n Towns never gave up pursuing his career, now he has been given a chance at 53-years-oldCredit: Facebook \/ Hagerstown Flying Boxcars<\/p>\n \u201cBy the time I turned 40, I didn\u2019t get picked up and I had dropped a lot in my fastball, which usually happens.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt ain’t over just because you get old, and it\u2019s not over just because you can\u2019t throw 90 [MPH], so I started throwing the knuckleball.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor the last 13 years, I\u2019ve been working on it and finally I got it good enough to get me drafted.\u201d<\/p>\n The Knuckleball is a pitch thrown to minimize spin of the baseball in flight, causing an erratic, unpredictable motion.<\/p>\n The most notable knuckleballers include Hall-of-famer Hoyt Wilhelm and former Boston Red Sox<\/a> pitcher Tim Wakefield.<\/p>\n Former New York Mets<\/a> pitcher R.A. Dickey won the 2012 NL Cy Young throwing a knuckleball 81.2 percent of the time.<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n R.A. Dickey posted a 2.73 ERA and threw five complete games in his award-winning season in 2012Credit: Getty<\/p>\n Entering a trial at 53-years-old was daunting, but it\u2019s something Towns embraced.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was exciting. The atmosphere was great, there were a lot of young guys with very strong arms, but I have been in this for years,\u201d Towns continued.<\/p>\n \u201cI just had to come, and hope and pray I could get my knuckleball over for strikes and I did today, except for one mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n The Atlantic League season opens on Tuesday, April 21 with the Boxcars taking on the Ducks in Long Island, New York.<\/p>\n Read More on talkSPORT<\/p>\n The Boxcars are yet to announce their Opening Day starter, but Towns will be hoping this could be the launchpad for a stunning return back to MLB.<\/p>\n Stay up to date with the latest from the MLB across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page<\/a> and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel<\/a> for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In 1991, the San Francisco Giants selected Vincent Towns in the 36th round of the MLB Draft. 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