Joe Musgrove was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays 46th overall in the 2011 draft

With the 46th pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays selected pitcher Joe Musgrove from El Cajon, California. The fire balling right-hander, who has touched 94 MPH on the radar gun, skipped the opportunity to go to San Diego State University, in order to follow his dream of becoming a big league pitcher. Joe was also the first draft pick of 2011 that signed with the Blue Jays, as he couldn’t wait to play a professional game. Through nine games (seven starts) split between the Appalachian and Gulf Coast Leagues, Musgrove is 1 – 1 with a 4.01 ERA in 24.2 IP with 19 hits, 12 runs (11 earned) allowing only one homerun, while walking five and striking out 18Recently, Joe Musgrove took the time to answer a few questions from fellow JaysProspects writer, Kris Kennedy:

Who was your favorite team while you were growing up?

San Diego Padres! My home town!

When growing up who did you look up to or try to model your game after?

I never had a favorite player. I picked little things from all the greats and tried to create my own style using a combination of their mechanics.

Did you play any other sports in high school? At what age did you decide that baseball was what you wanted to?

I played basketball and varsity football and loved them but I knew baseball was my game the day I picked up my first baseball.

Remember back to draft day: Can you tell us a little about your experience. What you were doing how you found out and your feelings?

I had all my family over and we just wanted to watch the first day and see which of my friends got drafted. I was surprised to hear my name called the first day. But I busted my butt to get where I am so I had a thought in the back of my head that I deserved it. I couldn’t have been happier to get started in my career as a pro ball player.

The amount of his signing bonus didn't matter to Musgrove - what mattered was that he was playing baseball

With the draft signing deadline past, I see you signed quickly and under-slot, can you tell us the reason?

Money means very little to me. I wanted to be playing so I was going to sign weather is was $5,000 or $5,000,000. As long as I had enough money to get my parents out of debt I was happy. I will play in the Bigs one day and I will make my money then.

What has been your biggest accomplish in baseball thus far?

Easy answer – Earning myself the title of being the 46th overall pick in the draft.

What does a daily routine look like for you?

Up at 6:30, workout, quick practice and throwing program, shower, lunch, game, shower, back to the hotel for the day, dinner at 6.

What motivates you? (Either in life or after a loss)

Simple – my buddy Colter Rios back at home. He was an amazing baseball and football player and had a huge future ahead of him until he broke his neck in a high school football game his sophomore year and was told he would never play sports again. However, he recovered and was back at sports in a few short months. He since then has gone through two neck surgeries and was told that there will be no more baseball in his future. I never take anything for granted and I will continue to do everything I can do for those that can’t.

As we all know, baseball players are superstitious, do you have any superstitions?

Interestingly, I actually don’t. I have a throwing routine and other than that you give me the ball and I’m going to get up there and go as hard as I can for as long as I can.

JaysProspects would like to thank Joe Musgrove for taking the time and allowing more fans to learn more about him. Continue to follow his journey to the majors by adding him on Twitter @Musgrove23Jays.