Stewart Focused on Return to Majors

TRENTON, NJ- It was a quick cup of coffee with the Toronto Blue Jays for Zach Stewart, but after being reassigned to the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, he's had a taste of the good stuff and wants more.

Originally selected in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft by Cincinnati, Stewart was acquired in a trade that sent Scott Rolen to the Reds in 2009. Since then, as one of Toronto's top pitching prospects, the Texas native has posted a 12-6 record and a 3.86 ERA in 49 games in the Blue Jays developmental system.

In his Major League debut on June 16th, Stewart held the Baltimore Orioles to 7 hits and 2 earned runs in 7 innings pitched, while striking out 4 and walking 1 batter.

The length of Stewart's stay with the Blue Jays was clearly brief, but his time spent in the home city of the Blue Jays was blink-and-you-missed-it short. The 24-year-old's arrival to Toronto, his first Major League start and the team's departure for a road trip all occurred within about a 24 hour period, so Stewart didn't get to particularly become familiar with the city he hopes to call home for a long time.

"I had never been there before. It was my first trip there. I got (to the Rogers Centre) at 6:30 for a 7 o'clock game, then went to the hotel to sleep and get ready for my start the next day. And as soon as (my) game was over, we left and went (on the road), so I really didn't get to see much of Toronto," Stewart explained in an exclusive interview.

However, the Toronto fans left Stewart feeling quite welcome and he describes the day as a dream come true.

"It was definitely good to throw at home and have that atmosphere (for my Major League debut)," Stewart said. "It was awesome. It was a great experience and everything I hoped it would have been."

Five days later, against the Braves, the 6-foot-2-inch 205-pounder struggled, allowing 5 earned runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings. Knowing that the games at the MLB level carry more weight, Stewart asserts that his mental approach, to try to bounce back following the poor start, was the same he has used in the minors. He stuck to what has worked for him throughout his professional career and wiped his slate clean to come back out for his third start.

"At that level it's more magnified, but I didn't take (my outing against the Braves) to heart, or anything. There's bound to be bad starts, or bad breaks, so I just tried to let it go, keep my mental focus and forget about it.

"I'm not going to change my approach. I feel like I have a good manner of preparation that I take into every game. So, I'm not going to change it just because I went to the big leagues," Stewart said.

The righty hurler came back strong this past Monday at Detroit. In 6 innings against the Tigers, Stewart allowed 9 hits and let up just 2 earned runs, while striking out 4 and walking 1.

Unquestionably, Stewart enjoyed his time at the highest level of baseball. He credits the entire Blue Jays club with immediately making him feel like part of the team, which is great for a youngster that is asked to jump up two levels in order to help a team that has had shaky pitching this year.

"Everybody, from the manager to the players to the trainers and everyone, treated me well," Stewart stated. "No one made me feel like I was out of my element or uncomfortable. It was was a great experience all around. I was happy with my time there."

But while Stewart is able to reflect on his brief stint in the Majors with some pleasure, the move back to the Fisher Cats roster has left him dissatisfied, with a full focus on getting back in a Toronto uniform.

In a sense, (having been there) does make me more hungry, so now that I did have a taste of it, I want to get back."
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1BJW Interview: Chad Jenkins

Through three starts with the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, righty hurler Chad Jenkins has posted a 1-1 record with a 4.05 ERA. Prior to joining the Fisher Cats this month, Jenkins had gone 4-5 with a 3.07 ERA with the High A Level Dunedin Blue Jays.

Last year, in his first full season of professional baseball, Jenkins was named as a mid-season all-star, as a member of the Class A Lansing Lugnuts, prior to joining Dunedin in June. Combined at those two levels in 2010, Jenkins had a 7-10 record and a 3.94 ERA.

The 23-year-old Jenkins was drafted with Toronto's top pick in the 2009 draft (20th overall) out of Kennesaw State University.

On Wednesday, Jenkins is slated to make his fourth start in the Double A Eastern League and he will be faced by rehabbing Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes at Trenton's Waterfront Park.

At this rate of progression, it won't be long before the 6-foot-4-inch 235-pound Jenkins is effecting the odds on props betting for the Blue Jays.

This week, I spoke with Chad about adjusting to the Eastern League, the draft process, personal hobbies, his new home town in Manchester, New Hampshire and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview.



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Marcus Knecht interview and not much else!

Here is a pic courtesy of Twitpic and it's ridiculous track back rules!

Here is the boxscore from the All Star game that he participated in!

Here is a whole bunch of older video from the glory days!

Here is where you can find some statistical information!

Here is to hoping he wears the number 4 in the future!

Here is a quote from our boy Jesse when asked about his D in the outfield!

He can stick in left field, no problem at all.  Arm is average, but pretty darn accurate, and he has good instincts despite average range.  Plays the ball well off the carom, too.
 

And finally!

Here is an interview from last week!

1BlueJaysWay.com Interview: John Tolisano

22-year-old IF/OF John Tolisano has proven himself as a valuable contributor for the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats this season. The Florida native has become a key contributor for the team, able to play multiple positions and offer consistency at the plate.

A 2nd round draft pick in 2007, Tolisano has slowly, but steadily, ascended upwards in the Toronto organization. In his first two seasons as a pro, Tolisano batted .234 in 169 games at two levels. Two seasons ago, in 2009, Tolisano mashed 12 homeruns and drove in 58 runs, while batting .232 for the High A level Dunedin Blue Jays. Last year, he missed time due to injury, but is back trying to continue his climb toward the big leagues.

Hot lately, in 15 June games, the 5-foot-11-inch 190-pound Tolisano has posted a .311 batting average with a .996 OPS.

Recently, I spoke with John about his progress, his team and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to this full interview.



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NH Hitting Coach Justin Mashore Interview

In his playing days, Justin Mashore was a 3rd round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers and was a career minor leaguer. Mashore played outfield and dabbled in the infield during his minor league career in the Tigers, Red Sox, Mets, Padres and Rockies organizations.

Since 2003, Mashore has been a coach in the Blue Jays organization, where he has been working his way up from the Rookie level Appalachian League.

Currently, along with manager Sal Fasano and pitching coach Pete Walker, Mashore is in charge of guiding the young careers of Toronto prospects assigned to the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats club.

Recently, I spoke with coach Justin about top prospects like Anthony Gose, Adeiny Hechavarria and Travid d'Arnaud, as well as his own career, his transition into coaching and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview.


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