When Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Josh DeGraaf finished high school in 2011, he was unsure if he was prepared for Major League Baseball. But after seven years of college, international play, and minor-league camp experience, the seasoned pitcher is ready for the next level. Centennial College Journalism student Jess Koffie recently caught up with the hardworking DeGraaf at the Bobby Mattick Training Center in Dunedin, Fla.
Read MoreToronto Blue Jays' 2017 third-round pick Riley Adams was a shortstop until his sophomore year of high school, but the 21-year-old is now embracing his new position behind the plate. Centennial College Journalism student Braden Jones caught up with Adams at the Bobby Mattick Training Center this week.
Read MoreAfter six seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization as an outfielder, Joshua Almonte began his transition to becoming a pitcher this offseason. Toronto Observer writer Nikolas Marsiglio spoke to Almonte about his shift to the mound at the Bobby Mattick Training Center in Dunedin, Fla.
Read MoreDespite a respectable first professional season in which he posted a 1.54 ERA in 28⅓ innings at the Rookie ball level, right-hander Connor Law knew he had more to do to turn his passion for the game into a promotion in the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league ranks. Toronto Observer reporter Thomas Ketko spoke with Law about some of the changes that the young righty made to his training regimen this offseason.
Read MoreToronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Graham Spraker had his eyes focussed so intently on the Major League Baseball draft in 2016 that his game fell apart. Fortunately, his coaches at Quincy University helped him turn his career around and now, coming off a successful first pro season, the 22-year-old right-hander is hoping to move up in the Blue Jays' system. Centennial College Journalism student Karan Gill shares Spraker's story.
Read MoreToronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Tayler Saucedo credits his early success in the minors to the hard work it took him to get here. The 21st round pick from the 2015 draft has quietly moved his way up the club's system and is expected to begin the season with the class-A Advanced Dunedin squad. Centennial College Journalism student Bobby Colorado shares Saucedo's story.
Read MoreJay Blue, from Blue Jays from Away, predicts what hitters will suit up for the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in 2018.
Read MoreToronto Blue Jays outfield prospect Josh Palacios was almost a Cincinnati Red, before his uncle reminded him of his goals. It was a long road for Palacios to be drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, one that included being cut in high school from the varsity team, transferring to a cross-town rival, and going on a college journey that touched Stony Brook, a Texan junior college, and Auburn University. Centennial College Journalism student Ryan Blevins shares Palacios's story.
Read MoreToronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Patrick Murphy has jumped over many hurdles. From Tommy John surgery to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and a nerve removal, he is hoping to put his injuries behind him and move up in the club's minor league ranks. Centennial College Journalism student Nicole Fiorini shares his story.
Read MoreRandy Pondler is pursuing a baseball dream only 14 Nicaraguan Major Leaguers have accomplished. These steps cannot happen overnight, and Pondler was well aware of this when setting his goals for the season. But he’s off to a tremendous start – he was the Appalachian League pitcher of the year in 2017 for Bluefield. Centennial College Journalism student Warren Kosoy shares Pondler's story.
Read MoreIf you ever wonder if professional athletes are just like the rest of us, talk to Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Danny Young. He will tell you how he learned to throw sidearm just by watching YouTube. Centennial College Journalism student Anthony Amador shares Young's story.
Read MoreJay Blue, from Blue Jays from Away, predicts the Toronto Blue Jays' double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitching staff for 2018.
Read MoreMaximo Castillo left Venezuela at just 16 to join the Toronto Blue Jays with his family in mind. The right-handed pitcher from Caracas was signed as a free agent to a minor league contract in September 2015 for $10,000. He has been following the goal of playing in the big leagues not only for himself but also for those at home. Bruno Pizarro shares Castillo's story.
Read MoreBringing home the 2017 Northwest League Championship to the Vancouver Canadians meant a little bit more for Vancouver native Brayden Bouchey. Centennial College journalism student Ashley Taylor shares Bouchey's story.
Read MoreThe New Hampshire Fisher Cats announced on Monday that they would extend their affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays through to 2020. They have been the Blue Jays' double-A affiliate since 2003. Jay Blue, from Blue Jays from Away, has the details.
Read MoreJay Blue, from Blue Jays from Away, examines the potential hitters for the class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays in 2018.
Read MoreJay Blue, from Blue Jays from Away, examines the candidates for the class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays pitching staff in 2018.
Read MoreJay Blue, from Blue Jays from Away, examines the projected hitters for the Toronto Blue Jays' low-A Lansing Lugnuts for the 2018 season.
Read MoreThe independent Can-Am League's Ottawa Champions have traded Vancouver native Tyson Gillies to the Gary SouthShore RailCats for left-handed reliever Onas Farfan. The trade stemmed from a request by Gillies to move on from the Champions.
Read MoreThe integration of Major League Baseball was “certainly the death knell of the Negro Leagues,” says Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. But the end of segregated baseball also sent an influx of talent north to Canada. Canadian Baseball Network writer J.P. Antonacci shares the story of the Negro Leagues players who found jobs with teams north of the border.
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