Ozney Guillen following his dream in Frontier League

Considering he made $600 per month this season playing for the Normal Cornbelters, Ozney Guillen wasn't in it for the money.

And considering he rode buses to not-so-exotic locales such as Florence, Ky., Washington, Pa., and O'Fallon, Mo., he wasn't in it for the travel.

Ozney Guillen — the youngest son of former White Sox shortstop/manager Ozzie Guillen — spent his summer playing baseball in the Frontier League for one reason.

“It's fun playing here, but everybody's main goal is to get out of here,” Ozney said.

Getting out is the obvious goal, and getting signed by a major-league team is next in line.

In 2010, the Sox drafted Ozney in the 22nd round, but he didn't sign coming out of high school.

“I don't think I was mentally mature enough to play at that level at that point in time,” Ozney said. “I think it would have ended up bad for myself. I definitely made the right decision.”

The following year, after batting .347 as a freshman at Miami Dade Junior College, he wasn't drafted at all.

Guillen played another year at Miami Dade and spent his junior season playing at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens.

Instead of returning for his senior year, Guillen opted to sign with the Cornbelters.

“I've been able to experience everything that everybody talks about,” Ozney said. “The day-to-day grind, I didn't think it was going to be so tough, but it really is. Waking up every day and just showing up and having a good attitude and being able to put a performance on and work for your job every day and get better, it's really tough.

“Whether you're a first-round pick or last-round pick, you always have that doubt about being able to go out and perform. I proved to myself I can perform this year. I doubted myself for a little bit and other people have doubted me, but I was able to prove myself. The first year playing pro baseball can be really stressful, but I've enjoyed it.”

Guillen wrapped up his first season for Normal with a game against the Boomers in Schaumburg on Thursday. In 78 games, he batted .255 with 5 home runs and 45 RBI.

“I was sitting in the clubhouse a little while ago and I thought to myself, 'We'd be in a tough fix if we didn't have this kid,' ” Cornbelters manager Brooks Carey said. “He's played second base, he's played third, he played first one day, he's played right (field), he's played center, left.

“He's played everywhere I've needed him. For a rookie, 5 home runs, 45 RBI with a (.255) average in this league, that's pretty good.

“He has been nothing but enjoyable for me since the day I met him. He's absolutely a professional kid that has been raised the right way by his dad in how to play the game of baseball. Unbelievable kid. He's probably the most well-liked kid here.

“He's lived what some people might think is a charmed life, but he's just a humble kid. He could be an arrogant, entitled kid, but this kid doesn't feel entitled to anything. He works his tail off.”

Ozzie Guillen is clearly proud that his 22-year-old son is following his dream, regardless of the high degree of difficulty.

“He grew up watching it and he knows how hard this thing is,” Ozzie said. “I think playing in this league is going to help him because this league is very underrated. He learned a lot. He learned the real life of baseball.

“He's not living the life he lived with me, big-league clubhouses, airplanes, big-league meal money. He's seeing real baseball, and I think he appreciates it more than he did in the past.”

At 6-feet-3, 240 pounds, Ozney has quite a few inches and pounds on his famous father. But even while the left-handed hitter has positioned himself to be signed by a major-league team this winter and even though he's likely to be playing minor-league baseball next season, his game still needs polish.

“I think he can help,” Ozzie said. “He can play a few different positions very well. He's a pretty good hitter. I don't think he has the power, he's 6-3, 6-4, but every time he tries to hit a home run I don't think he puts a good swing on the ball.

“But, remember, he's only played high school and college, he doesn't know yet.

“I never thought he'd play every day, but playing second base shows you how much he wants to play. He never played there. He knows how to play the game. Hopefully with this experience, and going to play winter ball for more experiences, that will help.

“But he loves it. When you love it, you don't see the bad things. He's lived under his daddy's wing, ate very well and drove nice cars. He's on the bus and he never complains about anything.”

Playing in the shadow of a well-known father undoubtedly would cause many young players to complain, but not Ozney.

“My dad's more outgoing and I'm more calm and laid-back,” Ozney said. “My teammates have been awesome with that. There are always those drunk fans that heckle you, but you get used to it. It's nothing I haven't heard before.

“I think growing up around the game and living it most of my life, it really has helped. I feel I'm prepared for anything.”