Around the FSL: Hitting the golf course

In the Florida State League, teams get one or two days off a month to relax. Besides the beach and fishing, golf is one of the most popular ways for Minor Leaguers in Florida to spend their day away from the ballpark.

Luckily, the Jupiter Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals are located in Palm Beach County, which is referred to as the "Golf Capital of the World" because of the abundance of courses.

As the ballplayers bond together on the links, they don't lose their competitiveness -- each hoping to bring "bragging rights" back to the clubhouse.

Cooking with Esmerling

When Marlins pitching prospect Esmerling De La Rosa came to the States for the first time from the Dominican Republic to play baseball, he didn't understand the language or know much about the American culture. Like many young ballplayers, De La Rosa had little money and he was homesick -- especially for Dominican food.

To solve the problem, De La Rosa and his teammates decided to buy some groceries and a pot, planning on making a "home-cooked meal." Slowly, De La Rosa learned how to cook, and now he's the "Top Chef" on the Jupiter staff -- much to the delight of his Hammerheads teammates.

Favorite baseball memories

From Little League teams to high school titles, Minor Leaguers such as the Cardinals' Jack Flaherty and Tigers' Christin Stewart and others recall their favorite memories playing baseball as kids.

Early baseball influences

The Blue Jays' Ryan McBroom, Twins' Nick Gordon, Tigers' Christin Stewart and other Florida State Leaguers talk about the biggest influences and supporters in their lives as they began to pursue their dream to play in the Major Leagues.

Flaherty's love of the game

At a very early age, St. Louis Cardinals No. 2 prospect Jack Flaherty fell in love with the game of baseball. When he was just a pre-schooler, his mom, Eileen, would take him to Dodgers games. Surprisingly, Jack wouldn't squirm in his seat or beg to run around the ballpark like other children his age. Instead, this first-round pick in 2014 was fascinated by the action on the field -- watching, analyzing, and learning. As Jack grew older, he dabbled in basketball, but baseball was always his true love.

Jack's mom has always been his biggest supporter. One Mother's Day when Jack was in high school, he wanted to meet his teammates for extra practice. His mom drove him, waited two hours until practice was over and then went with his friends to eat lunch. This was the perfect Mother's Day for Eileen -- being Jack's mom and helping him get closer to his dream of playing professional baseball. Now, in his second full season in the Cardinals organization, Jack talks with Around the FSL's Lisa Pride about his "Love of the Game."

Growing up Gordon

Minnesota Twins No. 3 prospect Nick Gordon still remembers the smile on his dad's face after winning the World Series with the Phillies in 2008. Nick began working hard on being a pitcher just like his dad -- reliever Tom Gordon, who played in the Majors for 21 years -- but he also loved taking grounders and hitting.

Eventually Nick made the decision to focus on playing shortstop, turning to his brother, Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, for advice. Drafted in 2014 in the first round by the Twins, Nick talks with his brother every day, and the two hope to one day play together in the big leagues -- even if it's on opposing sides. Around the FSL's Lisa Pride sat down with the Fort Myers Miracle infielder to learn what it's like "Growing Up Gordon."

Vavra shares family bonds

Fort Myers first baseman Trey Vavra talks about playing winter ball in Australia and the bonds he shares with his baseball family: