Area Code games connect Giancarlo Stanton with Matt Dominguez, Mike Moustakas
Nine years ago, a fan catching the Area Code games in Southern California would've seen MLB's future stars before they became household names.
The oldest high school showcase featured Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton as well as Houston Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez and Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.
"It was different," Stanton said. "You see the separation from other players -- and determination. It's different than just talent. I like to look at the rosters of all the Area Codes to see where they are. I'm sure there's many more, too."
As a 24-year-old, Stanton has kept tabs of those teenagers he became friends with as they play every day in the big leagues.
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, of Fountain Valley, has known Stanton since the pair were 15. Freeman jokes he knew Stanton, of Panorama City, when he went by "Mike" rather than Giancarlo.
At this year's Midsummer Classic in Minneapolis, they got to hang out away from a competitive Braves-Marlins matchup. Over the offseason, it's tough to meet up when they stay in their respective National League East cities.
"I grew up with him, so I got to do a lot of hitting with him before we even got drafted," Freeman said that All-Star weekend. "He's been doing it since then. His power is phenomenal, He's learned how to hit this year. He's hitting for average. He's doing everything this year. He's healthy. That's the biggest thing for him."
During pre-draft workouts, it was clear to Freeman -- who would become a second-round selection in 2007 -- that Stanton had this sort of potential.
Stanton weighed 20 pounds less, but he was already a "beast, a physical specimen." His talent wasn't in question, but the decision concerning his future -- what sport to pursue -- was. Stanton would also be taken in the second round, signing with the Marlins that August.
"I just didn't know if he was going to play football or not," Freeman said. "Who knows if he had gone to play football he might've gotten hurt or something like that. I think he picked the right decision."
So did the players who crossed paths with Stanton in the mid-2000s.
Moustakas and Dominguez are the everyday third basemen for their respective clubs. Freeman is a two-time All-Star. Washington Nationals right-hander Drew Storen, whose minor-league days overlapped with Freeman's and Stanton's, is part of the third-best bullpen in the NL.
"The coolest thing is we played in the minors, too, so the Brewers have a lot of guys, the Reds that you see at every level," Stanton said. "You see at this level now. You watch their progression and get better and better. It's really cool."
The same could be said for Stanton's development. After struggling to stay on the field with various injuries over the past couple of seasons, this year's NL MVP could be decided between Stanton and Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw.
Miami's slugger paces the NL with 37 homers and 105 RBI in 144 games this season. His WAR (6.3) leads all position players in the league. Stanton's success has been the primary reason for the Marlins' surprising turnaround in 2014.
Freeman, who had called Stanton his pick to win the Home Run Derby, still marvels at the slugger's jaw-dropping power and ability.
Last August, Stanton connected on a 1-1 backdoor slider off Braves lefty Mike Minor. It went over the right-center field wall at Marlins Park on a line as if hit by a one iron.
"I just shook my head," Freeman recalled. "That doesn't happen. That shouldn't happen. What he's doing is just phenomenal. He creates so much backspin on the ball. It's incredible.
"Everybody knew Giancarlo was going to be something special. It just seemed he always had the knee problem or something happened he wasn't able to put together a 162-game season. He's put it together this whole season."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
