Minor Leaguer Grant Desme to the Seminary

Wow. From one team of Angels to another. Not just a "minor leaguer," but a leading prospect for the A's.

Where else but ESPN:

As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.

Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.

Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

"I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things," the 23-year-old Desme said. "I wasn't at peace with where I was at."

A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A's when he told them Thursday night.

General manager Billy Beane "was understanding and supportive," Desme said, but the decision "sort of knocked him off his horse." After the talk, Desme felt "a great amount of peace."

There's just something about that "being knocked off the horse," isn't there?

That's awesome. God-speed to you, Grant. Look forward to being able to call you Father Desme, God-willing. Maybe someday we'll road trip out to hear one of your homilies.

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