Greg Holland, who has saved 42 games for the Kansas City Royals this season, never saw himself being a closer in the Major Leagues.
Holland was a high school third baseman in North Carolina and believed he'd remain an infielder.
"I wanted to be a shortstop, but it didn't work out that way," Holland said. "I could have gone to a couple smaller colleges and played in the infield, but I don't really I think I had a future in that."
He began pitching as a senior at McDowell High School in Marion, North Carolina.
Holland has blown just five saves in 63 opportunities since taking over as full-time closer on July 31, 2012.