Posts by April Whitzman
Interview with newly-acquired first-baseman, Gabe Jacobo, and his wife, Tanne
52 weeks ago
While Gabe Jacobo was drafted by the Angels in the 10th round of the 2008 Draft, he joined the Blue Jays organization this year in the Rule 5 Draft
This past December, the Toronto Blue Jays were fortunate to be able to grab first baseman, Gabe Jacobo, in the Rule 5 Draft from the Los Angeles Angels. Being new to the organization, JaysProspects was very fortunate to be able to sit down with not only the strong prospect, but also his wife, Tanne, who both discussed Gabe’s baseball journey thus far.
Jacobo was drafted in the 10th round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels, a professional team only a few hours from his hometown of Visalia, California. “Being drafted by any MLB team has always been a dream of mine. So when a team in my home state picked me it was pretty exciting, but at the same time I realized I would be all over the country until eventually playing in California,” Jacobo said.
Jacobo was right about the needed travel as he started with the Angels in Orem Utah and with the Cedar Rapids (A) in Iowa. Collectively that year he posted a .324 average in 70 games, recording 28 doubles, three triples, 10 homeruns and 56 RBIS.
“I really enjoyed my first year in pro ball with the Angels. I would say that my most memorable moment would be my first at bat, when I hit a homerun on the first pitch. That is something I will never forget.” (more…)
Interview with Taylor Cole: Right-Hander Now on a Different ‘Mission’
41 month ago
Taylor Cole was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 29th round of the 2011 draft (photo credit: Vancouver Canadians)
While Taylor Cole was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007 and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008, he joined the Blue Jays’ organization in 2011 after being selected in the 29th round.
Cole admitted that he did not sign in 2007 as he felt he would greatly benefit from playing college ball. In 2008, he also mentioned that he decided to bypass the draft and serve on a mission, which, interestingly enough, was in Toronto, Ontario.
In fact, Cole’s two-year mission was initiated thanks to advice from Baltimore Orioles’ Jeremy Guthrie. Cole told JaysProspects: “After my first year in college, at the age of 19, I served a two-year mission for my church in, of all places, Toronto Canada. I have grown to love Canada from both serving my mission in Toronto and playing my first year of pro ball in Vancouver. Serving the mission was a very difficult time, but I know that it was the right thing to do for me at that time in my life.”
After his mission, Cole returned back to the game, attending Brigham Young University, a school that combines both the importance of church and athletics. There, as a softmore, he posted a 5-5 record with a 2.99 ERA. “BYU was a great school in which I spent the first year back from my mission,” Cole stated. “It was a good transition because they were able to help me get back in baseball shape because they deal with return missionaries coming home each year. I am grateful for the time spent there and the lifelong friends that I made.” (more…)
Interview with Wes Etheridge: From ‘Saviour’ to ‘Saver’
41 month ago
While Wes Etheridge was drafted by the Brewers in 2007, he joined the Toronto Blue Jays this past season
Wes Etheridge followed many paths on his journey to the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization. It included being drafted by the Brewers in the 12th round of the 2007 draft, changing career paths to become a youth pastor, then re-pursuing his career in baseball and joining the Maui Independent League, before finally joining the Blue Jays’ organization this past season. Etheridge sat down with JaysProspects to discuss his exciting but challenging journey back to professional baseball.
Etheridge admitted that when he had heard he was drafted by the Brewers in the 12th round of the 2007 draft, he was playing in a game for his college team. “I was in a super-regional, so I wasn’t able to get to spend it with my family, but my dad was at the super regional so that was cool having him there because he taught me how to play.” he said. “I remember being excited mostly because I didn’t have to go to school anymore and I always figured it was pretty amazing being able to play a sport and get paid for it.”
Etheridge joined the Brewers’ organization in 2008 playing both rookie-ball and A-ball, where he posted a 0-1 record with four saves and a 5.00ERA. In 36 innings, he struck out 30 and walked only nine. When asked which of his pitches enable him to find such success on the mound, the right-handed replied, “I basically just throw a sinking fastball. Every once and a while I will throw a breaking ball but mainly just my sinker.” (more…)
Jays Prospects Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb traded for familiar face
01 month ago
by April Whitzman
in News and Notes
Jason Frasor was reacquired by the Blue Jays in a trade that sent two Blue Jays' prospects to Chicago
There is no denying that Blue Jays fans felt a hole in their bullpen when Jason Frasor was traded to the Chicago White Sox in July last season in a deal that included former prospect, Zach Stewart.
Recognizing this, Blue Jays’ GM, Alex Anthopoulos knew that reacquiring the 31-year old right-hander would fill a hole in their bullpen.
But at what cost?
Being sent to Chicago are two prospects – Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb.
Myles Jaye: Only 20 years old, Jaye played in his first professional season this year with the Bluefield Blue Jays after being selected in the 17th round of the 2010 draft. This past season he posted a 3-3 record with a 3.00ERA. In over 54 innings pitched, the young right-hander struck out 49 while only walked 18 batters.
Daniel Webb: Drafted in the 18th round of the 2009 MLB Draft, Webb began his career in 2010 with the Auburn DoubleDays and the Lansing Lugnuts. This year, while he stated in the Gulf Coast League, Webb finished his year with the Lansing Lugnuts, where he posted a 4-5 record with a 5.59 ERA. In two years with the organization, Webb has stated in 27 of his 34 appearances and maintained a 5.11 ERA.
Daniel Webb was one of the two prospects being sent to Chicago for Jason Frasor. He posted a 4-5 record with a 5.59 ERA this past season with Lansing
And what do the Blue Jays get in return?
In return, the Blue Jays are receiving a reliable reliever that has shown through his time in Toronto that he can get the job done. He also comes at a decent price as the WhiteSox had recently picked up his 3.75 million option for the 2012 season.
Before being traded to the Whitesox, Frasor became the franchise leader in games pitched with 455 appearances and had appeared in 44 games for the Jays, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.98 ERA. He has a career record of 24-28 with 36 saves and an ERA of 3.69 with the Blue Jays.
With that said, JaysProspects looks forward to having Frasor increase his lead in appearances as a Blue Jay and we welcome him back to the club. In addition, we wish both Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb the best of luck with their new clubs.
Interview with Casey Lawrence: Blue Jays prospect celebrates new year by reflecting on past successful year
21 month ago
Casey Lawrence joined the Blue Jays organization after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2010
Casey Lawrence joined the Blue Jays’ organization in 2010 upon signing as a non-drafted free agent. In his first year sporting a Blue Jays’ uniform, the 24-year-old prospect from Pennsylvania had a very successful first season.
Lawrence previously discussed his highlights of that season with JaysProspects (which you can read here) but with the new year now upon us, JaysProspects was anxious to hear his thoughts on his most recent season and his plans and resolutions for the future.
While Lawrence joined both the Auburn Doubledays and the Lansing Lugnuts in 2010, this year, the right handed pitcher rejoined the Lugnuts for 22 games before he ended the season with Dunedin.
Comparing his first two seasons, Lawrence said that this past season was very much a learning experience for him. “I didn’t get off to the kind of start I had envisioned after a strong Spring Training,” he said. “I have to give two people a lot of credit in getting me back on track: our pitching coach in Lansing, Vince Horsemen, and one of our catchers, Jack Murphy. Vince had me get back to what had worked for me in the past and that was command of my fastball. I had gotten away from one of my strengths and it was something I worked very hard on during my sides.”
In addition, Lawrence added that teammate, Jack Murphy, was instrumental to helping him find success in 2012: (more…)
Interview with Randall Thompson: Blue Jays’ pitching prospect celebrates his first professional season with success
41 month ago
In 2011, Randall Thompson signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an undrafted free agent
Randall Thompson has already become a common name discussed when talking about talented prospects within the Blue Jays’ organization. While he was originally a middle infielder in high school, Thompson has most recently found success as a right-handed pitcher for the GCL Blue Jays. Thompson sat down with JaysProspects to discuss his success and his path to professional baseball.
Thompson’s journey in professional baseball began in 2011 when he signed as an undrafted free agent by the Blue Jays. Thompson admits to being hopeful on draft day, but knew that there was no guarantee he would be drafted. “I thought I had a chance to be selected, but I knew it was not a sure thing,” said Thompson.
“I was not surprised after I was not selected; rather I was eager to find a way to get signed. Therefore, I stayed in contact with coach B (Greg Berkemeier) and coach Merc (Matt Mercurio) during the latter part of the draft to discuss options if I went unselected. They both assured me that they would do everything in their power to help me out and that eased my eagerness and apprehension. Sure enough it worked out, and with the help from Florida Tech’s coaching staff, I signed a free agent contract with the Blue Jays.” (more…)
Interview with Chris Roman: Blue Jays’ pitching prospect discusses his first professional season
41 month ago
Chris Roman was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011s
Converted from an outfielder to a pitcher in high school, Chris Roman has found success on the mound at every step of his professional journey in baseball. In fact, he most recently found success with the GCL Blue Jays in 2011 after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
“To be honest, I was surprised I wasn’t drafted,” said Roman. “Watching the last round and not hearing my name was painful but shortly after my coach at Nova Southeastern, Greg Brown, called me to let me know a number of teams were interested in signing me as a free agent. After that call, the wait for a team to contact me was worse than not hearing my name in the draft because I still could not be 100 percent sure I would get the opportunity.”
He concluded: “There is no denying that I felt incredibly relieved and excited after signing the contract. I am so thankful for the opportunity to play professional baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays.”
This year, in his first year in the organization, Roman joined the GCL Blue Jays where he posted a 4-2 record with a 6.12 ERA in 17 games played, recording 22 strikeouts while walking only eight. (more…)