Jake Marisnick was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 3rd round of the 2009 Draft

JaysProspects was honoured when Jake Marisnick, the Toronto Blue Jays third-round pick from the 2009 draft, agreed to do an interview with us last year. Our first interviewed culprit, Marisnick told us about his determination to become a stronger player over the offseason and how prepared he was to work hard on gaining strength to improve his quickness in his upcoming season.

Having this season now come and gone, JaysProspects was even more delighted to find that the young Californian was, once again, more than willing to take part in another interview.

It can be stated that his hard work throughout the offseason was extremely beneficial as the young 20-year-old recently completed a phenomenal season. In fact, this year, with the Lansing Lugnuts, Marisnick had many scouts declaring him as a, ‘five-tool player’ after he hit .320 with 27 doubles, six triples, 14 homeruns, 77 RBIs and stole 37 bases in 45 attempts. “I would describe it as a step in the right direction,” Marisnick modestly said of his progress on the season. “There is still a long way to go until I reach my ultimate goal but this year was fun and I learned a lot.”

Last season, in his first year with the Blue Jays organization, he played in 69 games between the GCL Blue Jays and the Lansing Lugnuts, where you hit .253 with 20 doubles, two triples, four homeruns and 26 RBI. While not having a moment in particular that stood out in his mind, Marisnick stated that the one thing that he remembers from that experience was the teammates he was able to play with: “Being out on my own for the first time was a little difficult, but some of the players I was with made it a lot easier and they were able to help me when things weren’t going well. My teammates really helped me a lot in my first year in both the GCL and Lansing.”

He further added, that the reason he has been able to find success thus far in his professional career has been due to the support he has found from his teammates, those who he now proclaims to be his friends. “I have been very fortunate to have had some great teammates so far in my time playing for the Blue Jays. These guys have been there for me on and off the field and I will never forget about these guys. I look forward to moving up with them and continuing our friendships.”

This year, with the Lansing Lugnuts, Marisnick stole 37 bases in 45 attempts

As aforementioned, last year, when JaysProspects last spoke with Marisnick, the young 20-year-old stated how he plans on improving his speed over the offseason. This year, he admitted to JaysProspects that he plans to continue to work on this tool. “Speed is very important to my game play and it is something I will continue to work hard to improve on,” he said.

While Marisnick admitted that he would describe himself as a hard-nosed player that plays hard every day, he also admitted that while he has been learning and improving, he once again, plans to spend his offseason working hard and getting stronger. “This offseason I plan on going to get after it and getting stronger and faster,” he said.

Marisnick, however, also mentioned that he plans to spend as much time as he can with his family, whom, he states, can be attributed to the success he has found thus far in his professional career. “Aside from all of my outstanding coaches who have worked with me, making me into the player I am today on the field, my family and friends have been able to help me off the field to help me become successful. I would not be where I am today without the constant support from those that care about me.”

With that said, during the offseason, if Marisnick is not at the gym getting stronger, on the field working on his skills, or hanging with his family and friends, there is one last thing he could be doing – - watching football. “If you are looking for me on a Saturday or Sunday, you are going to find me watching football. I absolutely love watching college football and NFL,” Marisnick said.

JaysProspects once again thanks Jake Marisnick for this time. We wish him the best of luck in the future and look forward to gaining the opportunity to speak with Marisnick again soon.