After retiring from baseball in 2010 to become a Catholic priest former Oakland A’s prospect Grant Desme has resurrected his playing career by joining an Independent League team.

Desme, who owned one of the most aesthetically pleasing batting lines you could find in minor league baseball back in 2009, slashed .288/.365/.568 with 31 home runs and 40 stolen bases between Kane County and Stockton. Later that year he took home Arizona Fall League MVP honors with a .315/.413/.667 line and 11 home runs in 27 games.

In late May Desme joined the Lancaster Barnstormers, of the indy ball Atlantic League and has played like he never stopped to pursue a life of ministry. In 9 games with Lancaster Desme is batting .375/.400/.563 with one home run and two stolen bases. Also, last September Desme was named head coach of the Ave maria University baseball team.

This doesn’t necessarily practical implications for the Oakland A’s, as it is highly unlikely the 32-year old would even make it on the roster of an MLB or team or any of its affiliates, let alone the A’s. But it does lead us from “what could have been” to “what could be.”

Former teammates and opponents, including Cubs pitcher Anthony Bass praise Desme’s talent:

Desme was one of the better hitters I've faced in the minors. Crazy how he walked away from the game to go into ministry. — Anthony Bass (@AnthonyBass52) July 16, 2017

Fangraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen acknowledged the excitement that could come from a full Desme comeback:

“He’s a Lancaster Barnstormer now. He’s 32, and I have no idea if he wants to get back into affiliated ball, but it’d be awesome if he tried.”

In this morning’s Elephant Rumblings commenter Kyle_B proposed a Desme-for-Jake Smolinski swap with Lancaster. Jokes aside, it’s intriguing to consider what a Desme reunion would be like. Does someone have an answer to MON3YBALL’s question: “If he goes to MLB, do we still own his rights?”

What are your thoughts?