QUINCY — The pressure is off, but Dayson Croes knows he can’t relax.

The dream of playing Major League Baseball hasn’t been realized yet, but now he’s on a legitimate path to get there as long as he sticks to what he knows and continues to improve.

That’s why he left last week to play winter baseball in the Mexican Pacific League, following through on the contract he signed before his professional career received a lightning bolt of a boost. Croes signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants last April and skyrocketed from the rookie league to Triple-A in five months, ensuring he gets another chance at his dream next spring.

So, he can go to Mexico, put money in the bank, and work on his craft without worrying if a Major League Baseball franchise might eventually give him a shot.

The pressure to perform is off.

“It gives me the freedom to work on things and not be afraid of it,” Croes said. “It’s not do or die down there. Work on some things and not be afraid to fail. Not stress out and enjoy the opportunity.”

One phone call and his ability to hit pitching at every level changed his outlook..

Having signed to play a third season for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the American Association — he was an all-star infielder his first two seasons there — Croes had his bags packed, his plane ticket purchased and his plans made when fate stepped in.

“On a random Saturday night, they called me and said, ‘Hey, you’re not going to Winnipeg. You’re going to Arizona,’” Croes said. “It was unreal.”

That call came from a scout within the Giants organization and they wanted him to report to their training facility immediately..

“This is what I dreamed about,” Croes said..

He signed a minor league contract with the Giants on April 30, was promoted to the Single-A Eugene Emeralds on May 25, got called up to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels on August 5 and bumped again on September 2 to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.

One season, five months, three promotions and success every step of the way.

“I’ve always told everyone all I need is one chance to prove myself,” Croes said. “It was nice to be able to prove to everyone it wasn’t just me talking.”

Former Quincy University All-American infielder Dayson Croes hit .349 in the September after being called up to join the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. | Photo courtesy Sacramento River Cats

He proved he is a professional hitter.

In 317 at-bats spanning 90 games, Croes hit .300 with 24 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 41 RBIs. He enjoyed a seven-game hit streak at Eugene, an eight-game hit streak at Richmond and a six-game hit streak at Sacramento.

In September, after his call-up to Triple-A, Croes enjoyed the best month of the season, hitting .349 with a .417 on-base percentage and .475 slugging percentage. He had hits in nine of his games and ended the season with a 2-for-4 performance against the Round Rock Express.

It’s not where he expected to end the season, but is grateful for the opportunity.

“Of all of the promotions, (being called up to Triple-A) was the one that caught me by surprise, especially how quickly that happened,” Croes said. “I knew because of my age, if I did well, I’d probably end up in Double-A. I always had that in the back of my mind. So when I got to Double-A, I felt, ‘Hey, this is going to be it.’”

The way things were playing out at Richmond suggested he was there to stay, too.

The Flying Squirrels were in the midst of a playoff push when he arrived, and they proceeded to win three series in his first three weeks there. They were headed on the road for a series at the Altoona Curve, which happened to be in first place, when he was promoted.

“It was a surprise,” Croes said. “And it was a blessing.”

There’s no looking back now.

Playing in Mexico is part of an offseason plan to continue to hone his craft and become stronger and more athletic. In fact, during Croes’ exit meeting with the Giants, the suggestions on how to improve were subtle.

“The biggest thing from them was don’t change anything,” Croes said. “(San Francisco director of baseball operations) Buster Posey’s philosophy is don’t strike out, gap-to-gap, put the ball in play. So that’s perfect for me because that’s what I do.

“They said it wouldn’t hurt to get my bat speed up a little bit. They didn’t say, ‘You need to work on this.’ The biggest thing is mobility, getting more athletic. They said being a little more mobile would open up more opportunities.”

Where that lands him next season is yet to be determined.

“I’m just trying to stay where my feet are,” Croes said. “Whatever happens, wherever I start, that’s where I will pick up where I left off. Now going into next year, I know what to expect.”

Some of his veteran teammates expect big things from him, too.

“A few of them said, ‘I’ll see you in big league camp next year,’” Croes said.

If that’s the case, the dream moves a step closer to becoming reality.

Former Quincy University All-American infielder Dayson Croes is heading to the Mexican Pacific League this winter to prepare himself for next season, where he hopes to be invited to the San Francisco Giants’ training camp. | Photo courtesy Sacramento River Cats