The smart athletes understand how marketing works for their sport or for any other sport. Look at Alex Rodriguez, he gets the idea of marketing a product as well as how to elevate something to the next level. That’s why A-Rod is a very successful businessman who has done well for himself post-baseball. There are countless former athletes who have zero clue how marketing works or how to market a product. Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is one of those people. In frustration over the MLB clock for arbitration, Bryant fumes to a beat writer that he doesn’t like younger players being promoted by MLB’s Twitter accounts.

It happened to him, and Kris Bryant knows top prospects will continue to have their service time manipulated. Seeing MLB Twitter accounts hype these kids doesn't help. "That infuriated me. Stop promoting the guy if you know exactly what's going to happen." https://t.co/7ONsH9RIZ2

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) February 25, 2019

Look, I know the MLB clock is fucked up. Keston Huira is going to be kept in the minors for a longer time than he needs to because of that clock in baseball. It will be a huge topic in Brewers circles this season. That being said, Bryant to take a dig at people doing their jobs to promote the next big thing is so fucking stupid. As my friend Eric pointed out, if the teams ignored these talents, it would be easier to stash these guys in the minor leagues until the clock is up because no one knows about their talents. Baseball needs more young guys in their game. To not market them to the greater public will be a reason baseball goes by the wayside. If no one one knows about the next great guys, why should they care about you?

If you’re in Arizona this Spring, make sure to send Kris some marketing books.

Charlie.