Kevin Ahrens was drafted in the 1st round (16th overall) in the 2007 MLB Draft

Kevin Ahrens was drafted in the first round of the 2007 MLB Draft. Since this time, he has quietly been a member of the GCL Blue Jays, the Lansing Lugnuts and the Dunedin Blue Jays. But Ahrens has vowed to be quiet no more. After a strong stint in the AFL, Ahrens sat down with Jays Prospects to share some insight on his journey to the majors.

To begin, Ahrens admitted that being drafted 16th overall was not only special for himself but also for his family. “My family was supporting me 100% with whatever I chose to do. During the fall of my senior season, we welcomed scouts into our house and discussed the possibility that I would be drafted. It was an unbelievable experience to be considered to play professional baseball because it is what I loved to do.” Ahrens stated, further adding, “The decision to forego college was simple when I got drafted in the first round. Money wasn’t the most important thing to me; it was about the opportunity to advance my skills as a baseball player and to play in the big leagues. It is something every kid dreams about doing when they grow up and that’s what I’ve always wanted to be, a professional baseball player.”

Ahrens has always longed to be a professional baseball player thanks in part to the players that he has watched and admired growing up. Growing up in Houston, Ahrens admit to being an avid Astros fan. “I really enjoyed watching the, ‘Killers B’s’ (Biggio, Bell, Berkman, and Bagwell).” He also further admitted that he now enjoys watching Evan Longoria, who plays his position, third base, and also thinks highly of the game play of Ryan Braun and Matt Holliday. “Both of those guys play the game with excellence and consistency from year to year,” Ahrens stated.

Playing the game with excellence and consistency is something that Ahrens admits he has tried to accomplish ever since his first game in a Blue Jays’ uniform. At 18-years-old, in his first year with the Blue Jays’ organization, Ahrens posted a .230 batting average with 19 runs, six doubles, three homeruns, and 21 RBIs in 48 games with the GCL Blue Jays. Explaining his experience, the young prospect stated, “The memories I have from my first professional season involve getting to know the guys that were drafted in my class (Justin Jackson, John Talley, Mike McDade). These are the players that I played with throughout my first couple of years with the Blue Jays. I remember hanging out after our 1pm games, playing Ping Pong for hours and jamming to music. Since I didn’t go to college, this was also a growing period for me. Living on my own was all new to me.” And he added, “Oh how learning to cook, clean, and do laundry was fun.”

In 2008, with the Lansing Lugnuts, Ahrens posted a .259 average with 54 runs, 25 doubles, five triples, five homeruns, and 42 RB

In 2008, Ahrens joined the Lansing Lugnuts where he posted a .259 average with 54 runs, 25 doubles, five triples, five homeruns, and 42 RBI. Despite finding much more success at the plate, Ahrens admits that his favourite moment wasn’t a specific power at-bat, or a solid play at third base. While he admitted to enjoying travelling around the Midwest and enjoying another year with the same guys he met while in the GCL, Ahrens showed his romantic side, stating, “One of the best moments in Lansing was meeting my girlfriend who was there as she was attending Michigan State University.” He happily added, “We are still together today!”

While it was not asked if his girlfriend chose to travel with him to Dunedin, where he has since spent 254 games, batting .226 with 47 doubles, three triples, 18 homeruns and 98 RBI, it was asked whether he could describe his experience and the differences between the FSL and the leagues in which he had played before. He quickly responded, “There is no denying that the Florida State League is a tough league to play in because of the heat and high level of competition. Fortunately, I was able to overcome the adversity by working hard to improve my skills and doing my best to become a better player.”

Becoming a better player is something Ahrens admitted he works on continuously. He further stated, however, that he would not be the player he is today without the support of his parents. “My parents, Ken & Kay, have supported me through all of the ups and downs. Being a professional baseball player has its roller coaster rides and you try to level them out as best as you can.” The young Texan stated. “My parents have kept up with me through calls or texts after each game and shared their words of wisdom with me when I needed it. They always tell me that being the best is a process and to keep working harder than everyone else. My parents remind me that there is no substitute for hard work and dedication.”

However, if Ahrens isn’t at the gym or at a baseball field during the off-season, expect to see the young third baseman at the golf course. “I love to play golf when I have time during the season and off-season. I really enjoy the competition when playing against other people. I shoot around 80 on average so I like to consider myself pretty good for only playing a handful of times a year.”

JaysProspects wishes Kevin Ahrens the best of luck becoming a Blue Jay Birdie, and shooting birdies on the golf course. We also kindly thank him for his time.