In the world of professional baseball, success isn't just about swinging a bat or throwing a fastball—sometimes, it's about mastering a new language. The Colorado Rockies are taking a unique approach to player development, and it's making a real difference in their prospects' lives both on and off the field.

This is the fourth installment in Purple Row's series on the Rockies' Cultural Education & Development Program. After exploring how the program started and its curriculum, we're now diving into how the organization helps non-English-speaking players build crucial language skills that can transform their careers.

Enter Dr. Paul Worley, a Professor of Spanish and World Literatures at Appalachian State University. If you were a college student studying Spanish, he's exactly the kind of professor you'd want—student-centered, juggling department chair duties, publishing books, and serving as poetry editor for the "North Dakota Quarterly." But his most fascinating project? Teaching English to Rockies prospects with the High-A Spokane Indians.

Worley is part of a dedicated team of four teachers helping Latin American prospects adjust to life in the United States. The journey started about 12 years ago when a friend told him that his neighbor was teaching English to players from the then-Rockies affiliate Asheville Tourists. She needed a co-teacher, and Worley jumped at the chance.

"Once the season hit, I would teach class during the day, and then my family and I were at the park every night," Worley recalled.

The program hit a snag in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic and MLB's minor league realignment temporarily paused things. But thanks to Angel Amparo and the Rockies' commitment to player development, the program found new life.

For young prospects arriving from Latin America, English proficiency isn't just about ordering food or making friends—it's about communicating with coaches, understanding complex game strategies, and building relationships with teammates. The Rockies' investment in this program shows they're thinking beyond the diamond, preparing their players for success in every aspect of their professional lives.

Whether it's a future All-Star or a role player, every prospect who goes through this program gains something invaluable: the confidence to thrive in a new culture and the skills to connect with teammates from all backgrounds. And that's a win that goes far beyond the box score.