Posts tagged 2011 Draft
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 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 Dwight Smith Jr: The Blue Jays’ 1st-round pick of 2011
13 months ago
by April Whitzman
in Interviews
Dwight Smith Jr. was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round in the MLB draft (photo credit: Four Seam)
While Dwight Smith Jr. was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round (53rd overall) of this year’s MLB draft, he has yet to play a game in a Blue Jays’ uniform. As such, fans have not heard much about their left-handed hitting outfielder from Georgia. For this reason, Smith sat down with JaysProspects to share more about his journey to professional baseball.
Smith admits that it was an amazing experience to hear his named called out by Roberto Alomar announcing he was the 53rd overall selection. “I honestly didn’t expect to be picked by the Toronto Blue Jays, but I am so happy that they did and that they choose me to be a part of their organization,” recalls Smith. He further adds that it was a tough decision to decline a business management degree at Georgia Tech but he is certain he made the right choice.
While Smith Jr. was selected in the first round, he admires the game play of another first-rounder, Josh Hamilton. “I’ve known Hamilton since he was in the minor leagues and to see him make such an impact on the game now is awesome. I just love watching him play.” Smith announced. (more…)
Interview with Matt Dean: On JaysProspects’ “Dean” List
26 months ago
by Ryan Kinsey
in Interviews
I was honoured to have recently talked to Matt Dean, 13th round pick (409 overall) in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft. Matt is a 6’3 190lbs 3rd basemen, from The Colony HS (TX) racked up many awards in high-school baseball. The awards included: Freshman year- All district newcomer of the year, Sophomore year- All district defensive player of the year, Junior year- all district offensive MVP, Senior year- all district offensive MVP. He also played in the AFLAC all American game in 2010.
What was the draft experience like for you? And who did you celebrate with when your name was called?
Matt Dean: Great experience. It was fun and I was glad I was able experience it. Celebrated with the family though.
How did you find out that you had been drafted? Did the Blue Jays call you?
Matt Dean: I was listening to it on the Internet when I heard my name called and I was at a friends house.
How happy were you to hear your name called by the Blue Jays?
Matt Dean: It was exciting. I’m glad to be blessed enough to hear my name called by them.
Did the Blue Jays give you any prior indication that they were interested?
Matt Dean: Honestly I had no clue it was kinda just wait and see if your names called.
Who are your greatest influences in the game of baseball?
Matt Dean: I like playing like Derek Jeter cause he plays the game hard and he’s humble. my father has a great experience on me as well.
Are you committed to a college? If so which college?
Matt Dean: Signed to play at the University of Texas.
Are you excited about all the hype of the draft now that it’s becoming bigger world wide? Or is it kind of intimidating?
Matt Dean: I’m excited. I want to start my career but if the draft doesn’t work out Texas has a great tradition and program I’d like to join.
With the rumoured changing of CBA coming soon and it’s said to be stricter slotted bonuses does this affect your decision on signing sooner than later?
Matt Dean: Not really. The money will be made later on down the road so I feel like if I have the opportunity I’ll be fine.
Could you describe the type of game that you play for the fans?
Matt Dean: I like playing hard. I don’t like people knowing if I’m happy or sad when I play. Just stay level the whole game.
In terms of developing as a player, what are your goals for the rest of this season and potentially further on?
Matt Dean: Depending what position I end of playing getting better there and just getting better as a player. You can never be to good.
Do you play any other sports?
Matt Dean: I use to play basketball and football but gave it up for baseball.
As we all know, baseball players are superstitious, do you have any superstitions?
Matt Dean: Absolutely. Depending on what I did the day before determines that. I usually have a little toy in my back pocket when I play.
I would like to thank Matt Dean for doing this Q and A with me and for those on twitter please give him a follow, great guy and good to talk to.
Risky Biz: Toronto Blue Jays 2011 Post Draft Review
48 months ago
by Ryan Kinsey
in Draft News
The MLB 2011 Amateur draft has come and gone, and for the Toronto Blue Jays it was a successful one but didn’t come without many risks. The Blue Jays went assertively after high-school players with high-ceiling talent and didn’t shy away from those “hard to sign” type of players as well. In our Draft Preview I stated that for the longest time the Blue Jays draft strategy was known as “the safe picks” meaning they didn’t take any players that were hard to sign or committed to a school. This draft the Blue Jays did the total opposite and was the most exciting draft because of it, for me anyways.
Draft Overview
The Blue Jays held 7 of the top 78 picks in this year’s draft and went with 7 high-schoolers and of those all but 2 were position players. The Blue Jays picked 55 players in 50 rounds for the entire draft, the breakdown of players goes like this: 27 high-schoolers, 27 collegians and 1 from Independent leagues, 31 pitchers and 24 position players. Official position breakdown goes like this 23 right-handed pitchers, 8 left-handed pitchers, 15 infielders(including 8 SS) and 8 outfielders.
First Round Pick
The Blue Jays were rumoured to be going after a college arm to start off their draft but shocked many, including myself in selecting Tyler Beede, 21st overall. Tyler Beede is a tall lanky high-school right-handed pitcher from Lawrence Academy. He stands 6’4 200lbs and is born on 05/23/1993. The Blue Jays drafted him because of his polished delivery and intimidating mound presence for a high-school pitcher. He has a 3 pitch mix a fastball that sits around 89-93MPH, nasty breaking ball which is a mix between curve and slider and a good feel for a changeup. He is committed to Vanderbilt University program and put out a letter to all MLB teams saying he is going to fulfill that commitment. Post draft, Beede stated the same thing but shed some light to Blue Jays fans stated “it’s all about the money” on his decision to sign or fulfill that commitment to Vanderbilt.
Supplementary Picks
The Blue Jays held 4 supplementary picks and an extra 2nd round pick in this year’s draft do to the departure of Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg, John Buck and Miguel Olivo. The Blue Jays used those picks to draft Jake Anderson(35th overall), Joe Musgrove(46th overall), Dwight Smith(53rd overall), Kevin Comer(57th overall) and Daniel Norris(74th overall).
Best pick outside first round
For me the best pick outside the first round for the Blue Jays was Daniel Norris in the second round, 74th overall. He is a high-school left-handed pitcher out of Science Hill HS. The 6’2 Norris was ranked 15th based on pure talent by MLB.com’s Jonathon Mayo before the draft. His fastball is a plus pitch sitting around 92MPH, with an inconsistent curveball which has the chance to be a plus pitch down the line and an average changeup, though he doesn’t need it much at the high-school level. His calling card talent wise is his mound presence and makeup. He is committed to going to college and said to be looking for a bonus of $3.9 million.
Canadians Picked
The Blue Jays took 7 Canadian players in the 2011 draft, one of which was top ranked Canadian Tom Robson(139th overall) of Langley, B.C. Other picks include Justin Atkinson(799th overall), Leslie Williams(1129th overall), Chris Cox(1189th overall), Shane Davis(1279th overall), Jake Eliopoulos(1309th overall) and Eric Brown(1519th overall). I guess the Blue Jays draft strategy for Canadians was only to pick them with their pick ending with a 9.
Success of draft
The 2011 draft for the Blue Jays was a successful draft to me and many other including MLB scouts who ranked the Blue Jays having the second best draft of all 30 MLB teams.
With all the high-schooler’s picked and their commitments to schools the only way to tell the success of the draft is how many players they are able to sign.