Ryan January’s pro baseball career in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ farm system has been a grind from the very beginning. January, a 2015 Swampscott High graduate, was drafted by Arizona in 2016. For the past three years, January has worked on his craft as he chases a lifelong dream of reaching the majors.
January got one step closer to reaching the big league diamond when he was promoted to the Class-A (full season) Kane County (IL) Cougars earlier this month.
“I was really happy,” January, a catcher, said. “In the back of my head not much changed for me. I’m still not at a real high level of baseball, at least in my standards. I’m still four steps away. I know the work part doesn’t stop. It doesn’t feel like a relief, just more of like ‘OK, I’m going in the right direction and forward instead of backward.’ That’s always a good feeling.”
January started 2019 with the short-season Hillsboro Hops. In 13 games, January posted a .325 batting average with 13 base hits and five RBI. He made his Cougars debut July 21, when he went 2-for-3 and scored two runs in an 8-5 win over Dayton.
“It was really nice to be able to do that right way,” January said. “It’s always a relief. You always want to get the first one out of the way to reassure you that you belong and you’re here for a reason. It helps you focus on things that help the team rather than focus on yourself.”
January’s 3-for-11 with three runs scored in three games with Kane County.
“I know a lot of these guys from spring training,” January said. “Anytime you get moved up to a level you haven’t played before, your eyes are wide open and you want to take it all in. Walking into the clubhouse and seeing some guys I know was relieving. I wasn’t really nervous. I took it in for the first few days and now everything’s sort of back to normal. It only takes a few days when you’re here every day and still playing baseball.”
January has noticed differences in the level of play since joining Kane County. But he feels he was well-prepared to tackle the challenges.
“I was raised to play,” January said. “I was ready to move up. The organization felt that way too. Nothing’s overwhelming in any way. I wouldn’t say it’s a real big jump in talent or anything. It’s a little more about consistency because there are more games played in this league.”
If there’s one thing he’s learned about what it takes to succeed in the pros, it’s that there aren’t any shortcuts.
“It isn’t exactly what everyone sees it as,” January said. “It’s a grind, it’s hard work. It’s not the big leagues. I think a lot of people think that minor league baseball is like the big leagues. It’s a grind, that’s the best way to put it. You have to come in every day with a purpose to get better. I had to learn that too. I didn’t know what it was all about.”
It’s also important to take in as much information as possible. January uses his coaches and instructors as valuable resources.
“There are a lot of coaches that played at the highest level,” January said. “They’re here because they want to share that. Some of these instructors have been around for a while and have seen other players go through the system. They’re able to tell you how they did it when they were in your exact situation.”
Back home in Swampscott, January’s younger brother, Dylan, has made a name for himself as one of the top backstops and sluggers in the Northeastern Conference. Dylan, a rising senior, belted seven home runs and helped lead the Big Blue to the Division 3 North semifinal this past spring as he follows Ryan’s footsteps. He recently accepted a Division II scholarship to play at Franklin Pierce.
“We talk all the time about baseball and all sorts of different things,” January said. “He’s a different type of player. He has a little more power than me. I really like the way his career’s going and where it could go, if that’s what he chooses to do. Coming from a small area, names get remembered. He’s a real mature kid for his age. He’s a really good player and I’m excited to see what’s going to happen for him after high school.”