Minnesota Blizzard Baseball

If you turn on a Major League Baseball game, you’ll often see a player from the Dominican Republic who has made millions of dollars in his career.  What we don’t know is the journey the player had to take to get to that point.  Often times, there is a struggle that must be overcome. 

For the Minnesota Blizzard’s Ezequias Encarnacion, the struggle has given him the motivation to rise to the top.

A future 2016 graduate of St. Paul Prep, Eze as he goes by, was growing up in the Dominican Republic when he and his family were introduced to Minnesota native, Dan Brattland, and his family.  The two were families were introduced by Ramon Pastrano who founded Impact Lives, a company dedicated to helping those in the Dominican Republic.

As Eze was preparing for the June 2nd signing period for Latino MLB prospects, his family asked Brattland if he could stay with his family in the United States for a week to improve his English skills.

“When Eze arrived our family fell in love with him,” Brattland said. “He has so much confidence, energy and personality, and yet is humble and caring of others. He was like a breath of fresh air that entered our lives.”

When the signing period arrived, Eze found himself without an offer from any major league organization.

“I am not going to lie,” Eze said.  “It was really hard.”

It was time to find an alternative path.  That is when Eze’s family again reached out to Brattland about the possibility of moving to Minnesota where he could continue his dream of playing professional baseball while getting an education.

After obtaining a Visa, Eze made the move north to Eden Prairie and to school at St. Paul Prep.  This transition would require a private school and an agreement between the two countries.

“I really feel blessed for the opportunity that St. Paul Prep has given me,” Eze said.  “I am not the best student but I work hard to be one of the best and I know that if God wants, I will make it happen.  I want to give special thanks to principal (John Belpedio) and my English teacher, Ms. Sheila Stortmont.  She has been with me from the beginning, helping me and telling me that I am going to make it.”

Finding a school was half the battle and now it came time to find a way to take Eze’s games to a new level.

“Many other clubs started to take notice," Brattland said.  "Including Adam (Barta) and the Blizzard.”

What has grabbed the attention of so many is not the way Eze plays the game but the energy he brings to the park every day. 

“I remember we were playing Century College and I was 3-for-3 in the game, but it wasn’t my hits and my play at shortstop that impressed (Coach Barta),” Eze said.  “It was my energy and my hustle that impressed him and how I was giving energy to the entire team.”

Head Coach, Adam Barta, noticed Eze immediately at practice and at the field.

"The first time I was explaining the program, expectations and where he fit in, he gave me a huge hug," Barta said.  "How can you not like a kid who gives you a big hug and says he wants to play baseball.  His teammates love him, he works hard and one big energy ball running around on the field."

In his first game with the Blizzard at the PG MLK Classic, Encarnacion was batting sixth and wore number 77.  Encarnacion was used to hitting third.

“I was in shock,” Eze said.  “I pray to God and told him this is a wall in my way and I would jump it like every single one of them.  I didn’t wait and on the first pitch, I hit the ball to the wall of center field for a triple.”

Eze has been able to share his story with many people including those at Orono High School after a teacher had heard about him through Impact Lives.

“He was asked to speak at Orono High school as part on Impact Lives in front of 300 students,” Brattland said.  “He brought the house down and received a standing ovation. One teacher told me he was the best speaker they have ever had.”

“I loved it and spoke from the heart,” Eze said.  “During questions at the end, I showed one student how to salsa dance on stage.  At the end of my speech I couldn't believe how everyone was asking for pictures and autographs."

Brattland echoed Eze’s thoughts, “He was like a rock star."

Though he is not with his family in the Dominican Republic he is able to talk with them every week.  Being just 17 and so far from home is something few go through but Brattland and his family treat Eze as one of their own.

“I can’t tell you in words what I feel for this family,” Eze said.  "They really changed my life in so many ways.

“I still remember the words that Dan, or now I call him Dad, told me the first time I met him. ‘I just know you and I can notice that you have something special and different inside you that make you unique.’”

The connection runs deep in the rest of the family as well.

“I don’t know if you are going to believe me but when I met Mom (Kerima) I felt something in my heart.  I don’t know why but she was never a stranger to me.”

Eze says he is now blessed with something he had never had before.

“I start having what I always dream for, a sister.  And in this case, God didn’t give me one.  He gave me three (with my family here)."

It is starting to become obvious to those around him that Eze is not just a ballplayer but an energetic and loving person.  The competitive side in him though will always be evident. 

“Eve’s goal now is to play junior college or DI and get drafted,” Brattland said.

His confidence is what will help Eze accomplish his goals.

“Remember my name because I am going to become the best in the state and one of the best in the country.”

We will remember and we will look forward to it.