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NEW PARIS — Matt Klinker sat among the doctors and lawyers and farmers and law enforcement and engineers gathered at National Trail High School's career day Friday, Nov. 14. He's a pitcher in the Reds organization who was with the Dayton Dragons this summer.

"Anything can be related to sports," Klinker told each student who stopped by his table in the gymnasium. "Lawyers, teachers, anything. If you can't play, you can work in the front office. What are your grades? Are you planning on college?"

Klinker was supposed to be joined by Terrell Young, who also pitched for the Dragons this summer. Young — spending time with his host family — was absent because the contractor he's working for needed him on a work site. Also at the career day was Dragons broadcaster and director of media relations Tom Nichols.

Klinker came equipped with his own computer and a slide show featuring him not only pitching, but with views of his Furman University campus mixed in.

When he wasn't speaking with the students, Klinker talked a little about being a pro player in the minor leagues.

"You really feel the heat in spring training," said Klinker, who was a 15th-round selection in the 2007 draft and lives in West Chester Twp. "You never know when they let guys go. You never know when you're going to get called to the trailer to get the (release) talk."

Klinker was 6-4 with a 3.26 ERA with the Dragons before being promoted to Sarasota (Fla.) in late July, where he was 2-2 with a 5.50 ERA in six games.

"I had one really bad outing," Klinker said, "and it really affected the stats."

Following the season, Klinker went to the Florida Instructional League. When he returned home last month, he began personal workouts and also works as a pitching instructor at Champions in Cincinnati.

Klinker said he hopes to get a chance to play Class AA ball next summer, although he suspects he might have to begin the season at Sarasota.

If a long-term pitching career doesn't work out, he has a backup plan.

"I'll probably go to law school," Klinker said. "I'll get out that LSAT book that's collecting dust."

For now, though, he thinks mostly of pitching.

"I can't wait for the season to begin," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.