(MCT) — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — As a Class A second baseman in 2002, Jeff Keppinger swung for the fences in the home run derby at the South Atlantic League All-Star Game against the likes of other promising sluggers Ryan Howard and Jose Bautista.

This is who Keppinger thought he was, a power-hitting infielder who dug the long ball. Memories of taking USC pitcher Mark Prior deep in the 2001 College World Series during a postseason homer surge for Georgia only reinforced Keppinger’s self-image. Then one day after the All-Star break, Pirates roving minor league instructor Alvaro Espinoza broke the news to the 22-year-old whose sights were set beyond the outfield wall.