Kameron Misner Eschews The Family Tradition

When Kameron Misner was 6 years old, he would sit directly behind the home plate fence to watch his older brother Logan’s game.

“While other kids his age were distracted and running around, Kam would watch intently,” said his father Terry Misner. “Kam is the type who doesn’t want to go out there until he knows what he’s doing.”

He knows now.

Misner, a 22-year-old lefthanded-hitting center fielder from Poplar Bluff, Mo., was a supplemental first-round pick last year, going 35th overall to the Marlins. He earned a bonus of $2.1 million, primarily because of the speed and power he possesses on his 6-foot-4 frame.

He weighs 225 pounds, but his goal is 235, which would still make him one of the smaller men in his family.

Terry (6-foot-4, 245) was a tight end, and Logan (6-foot-4, 310) was an offensive lineman, both at Southeast Missouri State.

“I don’t know how we squeezed Kam out as a baseball player,” Terry said. “All his uncles and his grandpa were football players.”

Kameron Misner did have a flirtation with football. He was Poplar Bluff High’s starting quarterback his sophomore and junior years. He could run, but his throwing accuracy was suspect.

Misner quit football after his junior season and devoted himself to baseball as a senior. He earned a scholarship to Missouri, and he rejected the Royals, who drafted him in the 33rd round.

Misner starred as a freshman before a fractured left foot limited him to 34 games as a sophomore. A junior-year slump saw him hit .222 with a .668 OPS in Southeastern Conference play.

“It seemed like I struck out more than I touched the ball,” Misner said. “I tried to change things in my stance. Everybody says, ‘Don’t worry about the draft.’ But it was probably in the back of my mind.”

While Misner scuffled in SEC play, he hit .286 overall with 10 homers and 20 steals.

“I had a lot of family and friends in my living room on draft day,” Misner said. “I was talking to my agent in a back room when I heard everyone yell. I ran back in to see my name across the TV.

“It was awesome—a dream come true.”