Dalton Pompey was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 16th round of the MLB Draft

Canadian, Dalton Pompey, was cut by four baseball teams growing up, including Team Ontario. That, however, did not stop him from playing for Team Canada and being drafted in 2010 by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 16th round of the MLB Draft. Explaining his unique path to the Majors, Pompey sat down with JaysProspects to share his journey to the big leagues.

“Being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays was definitely special! I grew up watching the Jays; dreaming about playing on the field so it was definitely a dream come true,” Pompey immediately indicated, discussing being selected 486th  overall, “I came onto the baseball scouting scene so late, I didn’t care what round I was drafted in.  It was an honour just to be selected, to have an opportunity to play pro ball and have a shot at making the big leagues.”

Growing up, Pompey not only envisioned himself playing with the Toronto Blue Jays, but he also idolized the game play of Ken Griffey Jr. “I used to love watching him play and I got the opportunity to see him play when he was with Cincinnati. I have an autographed photo of him in my room that I look up to inspire me.”

Pompey further added that he presently has two favourite players he admires – Carlos Beltran and Curtis Granderson, indicating that he has enjoyed the way the players have played the game and has modelled his game play after them as they not only play the game well but genuinely care about their fans. He announced,“I was raised a Blue Jays fan but as I got older, I can now appreciate a player for his talents even if they are on another team.”

Playing for another team, however, is exactly what Pompey did as he was growing up, as the young Canadian played both basketball and soccer until he pursued a scholarship in baseball. “When I was  three years old, I lived in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia and back then soccer and baseball were the two biggest sports, so I took up both but fell in love with baseball. A lot of the guys I played baseball with growing up also played hockey.  I never was much of a fan as I disliked the cold weather, but I know a few people who have made it to the OHL and one was just recently drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Pompey indicated.

Pompey further stated that no matter what the sport, it takes a certain amount of passion and dedication to be a pro. Moreover, he did however, have an optimistic outlook towards baseball in Canada. “With more and more Canadians now making it to the Major Leagues, MLB teams are finding their way across the border to look at young players each year. The more exposure Canadians have to scouts, the more opportunities a player will have.  Although I think hockey definitely has the upper hand on Canadians being drafted, since it is considered Canada’s sport, I feel Canadian baseball is definitely turning the heads of some scouts!”

Pompey further announced that he had the ability to turn heads of some scouts thanks to the opportunities he has been granted thanks in part to the support from his parents. “I cannot thank my parents enough for everything they have done so far in my life. If they didn’t take time out of their own day to take me to practice, work with me on my weaknesses and if they didn’t use their hard earn money to hire coaches for me to enhance my skills, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. They gave me everything I needed to be successful, now it is just up to me to take advantage of each and every opportunity and I will certainly do everything I can!”

One of his first baseball experiences in Canada was his three years he spent with the Oakville Royals. “My time with Royals allowed me to mature both on and off the field. They gave me the opportunity to play almost every game and refine my skills during the season and over the winter in their indoor facility.” Pompey stated. “The coaches were very helpful in developing and working with me whenever I wanted, on anything.

Pompey further added how highly he believes the Royals program to be, considering it to be just as successful as any other elite baseball program in Ontario. He also admits that he hopes to do everything he can to promote the league to others: “I go the Royals’ facility from time to time and give back; I offer my advice to anyone who wants it. I hope to see more Royals playing pro ball in the future!”

Pompey was great experiences as part of Team Canada's Jr. Team in the Dominican Republic and in Florida, when they played against the Blue Jays extended ST team

While Pompey had a very positive experience with the Royals, he also admits that his time with Team Canada was exceptional. He recently accompanied Team Canada’s Junior team in the Dominican Republic. “The experience that sticks out in my mind from our trip to the Dominican was on a bus ride back to the hotel from a game and seeing a group of kids playing ball in the middle of the streets with a piece of pipe, a torn-up baseball, milk cartons as bases and watching these kids just having  fun playing the game.  For most of them, they more than likely had little money but their dreams were the same as mine; to make the big leagues one day.  I know that some players have come from this type of lifestyle, and I felt that if they could come from nothing and become something… so could I!  It was a quite an inspirational moment for me.”

Pompey was also part of the junior Team Canada team when they played against the Jays extended spring training team in Dunedin this past spring. “I had never been so excited to play a baseball game in my life!” Pompey stated, as soon as the conversation turned to that game. “There was more than 50 scouts in the stands! It was exciting to perform in front of so many eyes.  I had seen one or two in the stands before but not as many as I saw that day.” While he further added, “Aaron Hill played in that game while he was on a rehab assignment and we got to meet him which was awesome!”

In 2010, in his first year with the Blue Jays organization, Pompey played in 11 games where he hit .191 with two homeruns and five RBIs. What was really unique about those two homeruns, however, was that they were both hit in the same game. “The game against the GCL Atlanta Braves was one that I will never forget as I hit two homeruns! Hitting one home run is a great day for me but two was unreal!” Pompey stated.

In 2011, Pompey joined both the GCL Blue Jays and the Bluefield Blue Jays, where he increased his power and his success, hitting.239 with 10 doubles, two triples, and five homeruns. What was really impressive, however, was the speed the young outfielder demonstrated as he successfully stole 23 bases in 24 attempts. “Speed is a big part of my game but I like to view myself as a 5-tool player. I can run, throw, field my position well and hit for average and power,” Pompey admitted to JaysProspects, “I learned a lot about myself and how to handle failure especially at the plate. I definitely had my fair share of issues but I learned how to deal with them and look for a solution instead of dwelling on the problem. This offseason I hope to improve my speed and quickness to improve on my jumps which will help me steal more bags as well as take away hits from opposing players in the outfield.”

While Pompey admits to being a 5-tool player there is another advantage of his he can add to his skillset – being a switch hitter. “I started switch hitting when I was three years old. Growing up, my dad had me switch sides every at bat, so each side was relatively equal.  In pro ball it has been a challenge to keep them both up to par because of the large amounts of right-handed pitchers but I try my best to work on both sides.”

Pompey further announced that he swings differently left handed than he does right handed and  even uses a different sized bat, emphasizing the importance of working on both sides separately but equally. “It’s definitely not easy being a switch hitter, any switch hitter will tell you that but ask any of them and they’ll tell you that they’d rather have the ball breaking into them then away! As well, it also enables you to play in more games as the manager knows he can play you no matter if it’s a lefty or a righty starting!”

But being a switch-hitter, Pompey announces, is not his best skill, as he indicates that he takes pride in his ability to drive the ball to the opposite field, especially with two strikes. Away from the field, however, he told JaysProspects that his best skill is playing ping pong. “I absolutely love to play ping pong and I’m actually pretty good at it. My brother and my Dad still beat me but I’m not bad.”

He also announced something that JaysProspects didn’t know at all! “Jesse Litsch may be the best ping pong player I’ve ever seen in person!” he stated, “I probably played him around 20 times and beat him once! It was definitely a highlight of spring training for me this year!”

While one can be certain to finding Pompey practicing his forehand (to ensure he can beat Litsch in the future), he also admits that his offseason plans are first and foremost to get stronger. “I’ll be in the weight room five times a week trying to put on some pounds, which will enhance my game by becoming an overall stronger athlete. I’m also going to really focus on the mental side of the game and work on daily techniques to help me deal with the ups and downs of baseball.”

JaysProspects wishes Dalton Pompey the best of luck in the future (and hopes he beats Litsch) and thanks him kindly for this time.