INDIANOLA, Iowa — After stops in rookie ball, low-A and high-A, Indianola native and former Hawkeye Duncan Davitt is focusing on his day-to-day grind rather than his potential destination in the MLB.
"It's one of those things you can't think about every single day," Davitt said. "Because it'll just wear on you know, like, why am I not there yet? What do I need to do is just kind of take it one day at a time kind of thing. Otherwise, you just go insane."
In 2022, Minor League Baseball players received their first collective bargaining agreement, meaning an upgrade in benefits.
Some benefits include an increase in pay and housing provided by the organizations. Players also get paid in the offseason. For Davitt, it's about $800 per month, meaning he and other players get second jobs.
On the side, Davitt is a sports reporter for the Indianola Independent Advocate, a newspaper company owned by his parents.
"They just needed a sports writer. So I was like, 'I can do that'," Davitt said. "I mean, I wrote papers every single day in college with my history major. So like, let's give that a shot and see if they are okay with me doing it."
Davitt covers mostly prep sports in Warren County. His favorite part of the job is watching athletes with potential to be stars.
"I'm going to see that person on TV in a couple years," Davitt said. "This person is going to a power five, and she's only a sophomore."
Davitt said he could see himself working in that field after his baseball career is over, but right now, he's focusing on his dream of playing in the MLB for one of the best organizations in the sport.
"That's actually one of the reasons I was most excited," Davitt said. "Like, whenever people ask, 'What organization would you want to be in?' It's like, the Rays 100% Because they develop guys."
Davitt will report to spring training on Feb. 21.