While his father of the same name played in 15 successful MLB seasons, Dickie Joe Thon Jr, just finished his first successful season with the Blue Jays organization

Thousands of fans have heard of Dickie Thon Sr., a 15-year veteran shortstop who played for such Major League teams including the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and the Milwaukee Brewers. Few fans, however, have heard of Dickie Thon… junior, a 20-year old prominent shortstop within the Toronto Blue Jays organization. To make the junior of the same name as popular as the senior, the young Puerto Rican prospect sat down with JaysProspects to share more information about himself.

Dickie Joe Thon was chosen in the fifth round of the 2010 draft by the Blue Jays. “The draft was a thrilling experience” Thon admits, “It was filled with lots of nerves, but without a doubt, was very, very exciting!”

It was exciting for a reason. By signing and choosing not to forgo education at Rice University, Thon was given a 1.5 million signing bonus, the 20th largest bonus of the year and the 10th biggest to a Blue Jays drafted player. Discussing this fact, the young prospect stated: “I’m very grateful for the faith the Blue Jays organization has given me. I believe it is because they know me well as a player and have total faith that I will leave my heart at the field, representing the Blue Jays.”

Representing the Blue Jays was probably something the young shortstop never envisioned doing as he grew up idolizing New York Yankee, Derek Jeter, believing “he is what a baseball player should be like as he is the epitome of a professional.”

Not only that but playing for a Canadian team is also outside his realm as while he was born in Houston, Texas, he continually travelled to Puerto Rico and spent many summers there playing for such teams including Las Lomas and Gigantes de Carolina. “No matter what anyone says, I am Puerto Rican.” He indicates, “While I am have learned many things that have been integral in my life and my professional career, I truthfully believe that I am who I am today because of Puerto Rico.”

Thon states, however, that while Puerto Rico has developed him into the player he is today, so has his father, who, as aforementioned, was a successful Major League short stop for many years. “Growing up, everything that I learned about baseball, I learned from my father.” Thon admits, “My dad is my foundation as a player and as a person. Every time I need advance or help, he is there. I could never ask for more than that.”

This season with the GCL Blue Jays, Thon hit .223 with 23 runs, three doubles, three homeruns, and 15 RBI

Thon, however, also learned a lot from the Toronto Blue Jays organization. In fact, the young short stop showed great promise this year in 45 games with the GCL Blue Jays, hitting .223 with 23 runs, three doubles, three homeruns, and 15 RBI. “It was definitely a learning experience,” announces Thon about his season, “I learned a lot more about the game professionally and enjoyed my time proving to the organization that I could play.”

The reasoning Thon admits that he had to prove himself was due to the fact that he was sidelined when he reported to camp in March after a routine physical. He states, “Although it was originally presumed to be a blood disorder, I was fortunate to find out that instead, I have a rare type of kidney disease.” He quickly calmed all worries, however, adding, “With that said, while I am still treating it, I am getting better with every day.”

For this reason, while many prospects answered that they are planning to spend their time in the offseason watching sports and anxiously waiting for the following season to begin, Thon has other plans – getting healthy. “It’s been a pretty tough year but I am confident I will be in full health soon” Thon admits. “Until then, I am going to spend my offseason, getting stronger and healthier, to prepare myself for a strong season with the Blue Jays organization next year!”

JaysProspects wishes Dickie Joe Thon nothing but success and health in his future and kindly thanks him for his time.