Mentors stress work ethic at RBI roundtable

CINCINNATI — Marlon Styles Sr., a former Minor League catcher and Reds scout, deals with a lot of high school baseball players.

In his mind, there’s one trait missing from the current generation of players — work ethic.

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“I’m really concerned, to be honest with you, how you guys are approaching the game of baseball now,” Styles said. “You’re approaching it in a selfish way because it’s all about you now, to where you don’t want to put in the work. You want it right now. You’ve got to put in the work. That’s the most important process of becoming a professional athlete.”

Styles’ comments came as part of a roundtable discussion with the 16- to 18-year-old senior division of the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) World Series. Along with Styles, the panel featured Reds assistant general manager Nick Krall, Reds senior financial officer Doug Healy, former Major League first baseman Dmitri Young and MLB senior vice president of youth programs and former Angels general manager Tony Reagins.

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While every member of the panel came from a different baseball background, everyone stressed work ethic to the nearly 100 teens gathered in the ballroom of the Kingsgate Marriot Conference Center on Saturday.

“My mom worked three jobs, and at the height of her earning potential, I think she made $20,000 a …

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