"Edgar Caceres managed 22 position players with the Rookie-class Gulf Coast Reds in 2002.

The youngest player on the Cincinnati Reds' Sarasota, Fla.-based affiliate was infielder Melvin Soto, age 17.

The next youngest was Etobicoke's Joey Votto, 18.

"The main thing coaching that level is to get the kids to survive," said Caceres from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he teaches baseball.

"You try to help kids mature, explain what they need to do, teach our routine and organizational stuff, as well as finding out their weaknesses and strengths."

Rookie-class, it has been said, does not truly represent the minors.

It's worse.

More or less a boot camp ... early morning workouts, first pitch at noon and seldom is everyone off the field by 4 p.m.

The longest trip is two hours with no overnight stays.

The fan base of parents and girlfriends may match the number of scouts sitting in the seats.

"Managing that level you never think 'This guy is going to be an MVP or a franchise player some day,'" said Caceres. "What you think about is baby steps. Baby steps."

And on Monday afternoon, if voting unfolds as it should, Votto will take some manly steps to his phone."