This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf's Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here . And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BOSTON -- What would you give up for a chance to be a pro baseball player? It’s a prospect that's unrealistic for all except a select few, but we can all have those childhood dreams. Would you give up all your free time to practice and weight lifting? Offer a prized possession?

Gustavo Melendez gave up his senior prom. Leading up to last July’s Draft, the Pirates invited the Puerto Rican shortstop to Pirate City for a meeting and a chance to see their facilities in Bradenton, Fla. The offer was too enticing to pass up, so he broke the plans he had with his girlfriend for the dance.

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