When Arroyo was coming through the system, guys didn't move up the minor league ladder nearly as quickly as they do now. The Philadelphia Phillies teams of the late 70s and early 80s were so good that not many changes needed to be made. As a result, the minor leaguers often stayed at the same level even when they put up impressive numbers. The pay scale for the average Double-A player hasn't changed much since Arroyo's playing days. The signing bonuses that some draft picks receive today were unheard of back then, though.
Some players become financially secure before they play their first pro game.
They receive lucrative contracts and are expected to be Major League stars in a few years. Arroyo thinks this is a mistake. It doesn't happen that way. That's not enough time to develop. One thing that has remained constant over the years is the Reading fans' love for the game.