Interview with Taylor Cole: Right-Hander Now on a Different ‘Mission’
41 week ago
Taylor Cole was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 29th round of the 2011 draft (photo credit: Vancouver Canadians)
While Taylor Cole was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007 and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008, he joined the Blue Jays’ organization in 2011 after being selected in the 29th round.
Cole admitted that he did not sign in 2007 as he felt he would greatly benefit from playing college ball. In 2008, he also mentioned that he decided to bypass the draft and serve on a mission, which, interestingly enough, was in Toronto, Ontario.
In fact, Cole’s two-year mission was initiated thanks to advice from Baltimore Orioles’ Jeremy Guthrie. Cole told JaysProspects: “After my first year in college, at the age of 19, I served a two-year mission for my church in, of all places, Toronto Canada. I have grown to love Canada from both serving my mission in Toronto and playing my first year of pro ball in Vancouver. Serving the mission was a very difficult time, but I know that it was the right thing to do for me at that time in my life.”
After his mission, Cole returned back to the game, attending Brigham Young University, a school that combines both the importance of church and athletics. There, as a softmore, he posted a 5-5 record with a 2.99 ERA. “BYU was a great school in which I spent the first year back from my mission,” Cole stated. “It was a good transition because they were able to help me get back in baseball shape because they deal with return missionaries coming home each year. I am grateful for the time spent there and the lifelong friends that I made.”
As a softmore at Brigham Young University, Cole posted a 5-5 record with a 2.99 ERA
His time at BYU was also successful as it opened a door to the Toronto Blue Jays organization. In fact, in 2011, in his first year with the Blue Jays, the young right-hander posted a 1-3 record with a 5.88 ERA with 6.7K/9 innings pitched. His dominance on the mound, in fact, helped his team win the Northwest League Championship. “It was a magical season being able to win the championship,” he said. “My teammates really made it count when it was needed. When you play better players, you really have to limit your mistakes and make sure that you are dialed in mentally. I know what it feels like to experience failure and have mistakes that you can control haunt you. I’m grateful for that and am working hard to make sure that I am all I know I can be for this upcoming season.”
The Las Vegas native also found comparable success in college as well, as in 2008, during his freshman year at the College of Southern Nevada, the young prospect went 10-3 with a 1.37 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 92 innings. When asked what has enabled him to find success he admitted that the values his parents bestowed in him have been very beneficial. “My dad always taught me confidence and hard work. When you put those two together there is a lot that you can accomplish. My mother’s constant support for being there for me in so many ways outside of baseball has also been crucial to my success.”
Additionally, Cole added that he has also found success thus far in his career due to his strong arm and his strong pitch repertoire. “I currently throw two different fastballs, a change up and a slider. With that said, I am working on other pitches to add to my arsenal,” Cole admitted. (more…)
Blue Jays sign Dominican Short-Stop Ronniel Demorizi
11 week ago
by Ryan Kinsey
in Transactions
Photo Credit: http://www.dplbaseball.com
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed 16-year-old short-stop Ronniel Demorizi out of San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic. The 6 foot 170lbs switch hitter signed for $105,000, according to Dominican Prospect League website.
Demorizi was ranked among the best participating short-stops in the DPL, according to the DPL website. He was named to the Under Armour All-America Game, DPL Elite Travel Team and the DPL All-Star Game.
Demorizi shows decent bat speed from both sides of the plate, profiling as a line drive gap hitter with little power. He is a natural short-stop with good foot work and soft hands. He has above average range thanks to his athletic body. He makes defensive plays look effortless and is his best tool. He is very athletic but is a quirky runner. Still needs some work offensively but is polished defensively which should help his progression.
Interview with Wes Etheridge: From ‘Saviour’ to ‘Saver’
41 week ago
While Wes Etheridge was drafted by the Brewers in 2007, he joined the Toronto Blue Jays this past season
Wes Etheridge followed many paths on his journey to the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization. It included being drafted by the Brewers in the 12th round of the 2007 draft, changing career paths to become a youth pastor, then re-pursuing his career in baseball and joining the Maui Independent League, before finally joining the Blue Jays’ organization this past season. Etheridge sat down with JaysProspects to discuss his exciting but challenging journey back to professional baseball.
Etheridge admitted that when he had heard he was drafted by the Brewers in the 12th round of the 2007 draft, he was playing in a game for his college team. “I was in a super-regional, so I wasn’t able to get to spend it with my family, but my dad was at the super regional so that was cool having him there because he taught me how to play.” he said. “I remember being excited mostly because I didn’t have to go to school anymore and I always figured it was pretty amazing being able to play a sport and get paid for it.”
Etheridge joined the Brewers’ organization in 2008 playing both rookie-ball and A-ball, where he posted a 0-1 record with four saves and a 5.00ERA. In 36 innings, he struck out 30 and walked only nine. When asked which of his pitches enable him to find such success on the mound, the right-handed replied, “I basically just throw a sinking fastball. Every once and a while I will throw a breaking ball but mainly just my sinker.” (more…)
The Inbox – January 12th
42 weeks ago
by Doug Plourd
in News and Notes
After posting the first edition of the Inbox, a slew of fantastic questions came flying in, thus a quick turnaround on volume 2. A couple of notes before we get started:
1) I am not close enough to the “pulse of the front office” to give valid opinions or speculation on rehabbing players. I can only write about what I hear, and chances are, if I have heard it, you have too.
2) Keep the questions coming! I have a few I held back for forthcoming columns, but the more I get, the more topics we can cover in short form.
3) Thank you, one and all, for the incredible page view numbers on the Callis 140. I was astounded to hear how many hits the site had in the hours after the interview went up, and I have to thank each and every one of you for making that happen.
Ok, onto some questions.
Many wonder where Kyle Drabek fits in the rotation in 2012
From Keith via the Comments Section:
Would love to get your perspective on Drabek. I know 2011 was a disaster for Drabek, but it seems like people have just written him off completely. But he was our top prospect last year and has some of the best pure stuff on the team. I have not hearda peep about how his offseason training has gone or what the team is looking for from him in 2012. It seems he has dropped in the depth chart and likely will not make the team. He is even being talked about in trades. The way I see it is no team gets by with 5 starters any more. You need 7+ guys in any season. With Alvarez and McGowan on innings limits, we will need a Drabek to compete. What have you heard about Drabek and what do realistically see as happening with him in 2012. (more…)
140 characters with…. Baseball America’s Jim Callis
52 weeks ago
by Doug Plourd
in Interviews
For a baseball prospect junkie like me, there is no better time than January, as the excitement for the Baseball America Prospect Handbook builds as the days click off the calendar. When I see the ball drop at midnight, and after I exchange, “Happy New Years” with the family, the next thought is “less than four weeks til I get to devour 900 scouting reports.” Jim Callis is the Executive Editor of Baseball America, and is nationally known as one of the “go to guys” in the world of baseball prospects. With the draft and playoffs behind him and the Prospect Handbook off to the printers, Jim graciously found the time to induct himself into the “140″ club.
140 characters, for the new readers, is an interview that has no rules, except that questions and answers must be confined to Twitter direct messages, thus 140 characters. With that said…
@dougplourd:
Jim, thanks for taking the time to do the “140,” as you know we at @JaysProspects are big fans of BA. Ready?
@jimcallisBA:
Sure, fire away. (more…)
The Inbox – January 8th
92 weeks ago
by Doug Plourd
in News and Notes
Welcome to the first edition of “The Inbox,” in what may look like an exercise in vanity (Ask ME! I am an EXPERT!) is actually just a way to make writing a column a little easier. I have noticed in my months writing for JaysProspects that the Toronto Blue Jays fan base is not only rabid and eager for the team’s success, but is also very knowledgeable as well. So, by you asking smart questions, I get to write about topics in smaller doses. (And without having to, you know, come up with the ideas!) So with that, let’s get to some questions:
From Ryan Mueller (via the comments section)
I have read rumors of Pineda being shopped. He was not linked to TO but I would think that he would be someone AA would look at. Young, controllable, and a high ceiling. This is a guy who could turn into a another Felix or just as easily another Morrow (at least what he is today). He is younger and better than both Latos and Gio but I would think he could be had for similar packages. Both Latos and Gio where traded for the other teams 3, 4, and 9 or 10th ranked prospects. If the Jays made a similar trade what do you think it would look like? (more…)
Happy New Year – Random Thoughts
133 weeks ago
by Doug Plourd
in News and Notes
Some random thoughts and musings as we roll into the first week of 2012:
Whether or not you liked the rumor, it is highly unlikely that Felix Hernandez will be sporting a Blue Jays uniform this season
The Felix Hernandez rumors. I need to start here, as this is where the new age of Twitter and social media makes anyone “an insider” and it drives me a little batty. ANYONE, and when I say anyone I mean the 17-year-old senior in high school, driving a 2001 Sentra and living with his folks, can start a rumor and cite “sources.” So, when this happens, I almost have to turn away. We saw a Twitter big shot claiming he had sources that the Jays won the Darvish bid three days before it was announced. (Oh by the way, NO ONE knew at that point except MLB’s commissioner’s office). We have seen numerous “deals” that the Blue Jays are working on, citing “unnamed sources.” (Of course, when AA’s deals HAVE come down, no one saw anything remotely close to them). So, today, this rumor came out that the Mariners and Blue Jays (*wink according to NUMOUROUS sources *wink) were about to have a secret meeting to finalize a deal that would send King Felix and John Jaso to the Jays for five players, including Travis Snider, Kyle Drabek, and JP Arencibia, a couple red flags to those of us with a ¼ of a brain came up:
The Mariners have said they are not trading Felix…..but even if you think that is a smokescreen….
The Jays would acquire the top young pitcher in the game WITHOUT giving up any of its top prospects? “Travis? Anthony? Noah?, hey it’s Alex, NO NEED to pack your thermals and book travel to the Northwest, you are staying here.”
Look, it’s January, it’s ok to dare to dream (and I will outline a few possible moves below) but there is a difference between a dream and a PIPE dream. The chances that rumor are even remotely true are slim and none… and slim just leapt to its demise off of the CN Tower. (more…)