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Here's an update on the seven former Bradley Baseball players currently playing professional baseball:
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Bradley Associate AD for Communications and Operations
Twitter: @BPtheBrave -
Here's an interview with BU Brave Jason Leblebijian who was drafted by the Jays
Q&A with 25th Round Pick Jason Leblebijian
Leblebijian considers himself an aggressive hitter
We talked to the Blue Jays??™ 25th round pick, Jason Leblebijian, for a Q&A
session. Find out what the shortstop from Bradley University has to say
about his game, his strengths and weaknesses, who he would compare his
game to at the big league level, if he's looking to sign quickly, and more!
FutureJays.com: Tell us, what was going through your mind once you knew
you had been taken by Toronto?
Jason Leblebijian: You can??™t even explain it. Just to know you can start your
big league career, it??™s something you work for your whole life.
FutureJays.com: Had you been in contact with Toronto prior to the draft?
Had they showed you an interest in you?
Leblebijian: I had talked to them a couple times but to be honest, they were
not one of the teams that I thought was going to pick me right away. They
called me about two minutes before the round and talked to me then so I
kind of knew this was going to happen at that point.
FutureJays.com: They drafted you as a shortstop which is where you played
your entire college career. Has there been any discussion of a positional
switch yet or do they foresee you staying on the left side of the diamond?
Leblebijian: It??™s too early to say, we haven??™t talked about any of that stuff
yet.
FutureJays.com: Defensively, are you comfortable at shortstop? Do you think
you have the range and arm to play the position at the professional level?
Leblebijian: I think so. Ultimately it??™s their decision where they see me fitting
into the program. As long as I get a shot to show what I can do, there??™s no
doubt it my mind. I??™m going to learn so much new stuff defensively at the
next level, footwork and things like that. Only time will tell so we??™ll see how it
goes.
FutureJays.com: You picked up your home run totals this past season (from
zero to six), describe your offensive game to us.
Leblebijian: Offensively it was a down year for me average-wise but that??™s
the way it goes some times. I worked the count better [this year] and saw
more pitches and really just tried to build on what I??™ve accomplished so far.
FutureJays.com: Your walk totals were up this past year as well. Was
patience at the plate something you worked on heading into your junior
season? What else did you work on?
Leblebijian: I worked on just driving the ball. I was more of a slap guy just
hitting it to right field. The power numbers were up this year, I really just
worked on, when I get my pitch, put a powerful swing on it and try to hit the
gap for extra base hits.
FutureJays.com: Have the Jays told you specifically what they like about
your game so far?
Leblebijian: Not really. They??™ve told me they like my athleticism and the body
language at short and things like that, but we haven??™t really gotten into the
fine details yet.
FutureJays.com: What is the biggest strength of your game right now?
Leblebijian: Aggressive hitting. I want to get a hit, I don??™t want to get a
walk. I look at it as a positive. Defensively, I??™m solid to my left and the
routine ball.
FutureJays.com: What do you want to work on most as you look at starting a
pro career?
Leblebijian: Cut down on some of the strikeouts offensively and really get
down the backhand defensively.
FutureJays.com: Is there a major league player you model your style of game
after or say my style of play is most similar to this player?
Leblebijian: Not really. I guess my favorite player is Michael Young and just
the way he goes about his business. He doesn??™t really worry about the
outside media and things like that. He just plays the game with a lot of
passion, no matter what position he plays, he??™s out there giving 100 percent.
FutureJays.com: Did you have a favorite team and player growing up?
Leblebijian: I guess I shouldn??™t tell Toronto this but Texas has always been
my favorite team and Michael Young has been my favorite player for as long
as I can remember.
FutureJays.com: Other than today, what has been the highlight of your
baseball career so far?
Leblebijian: I would definitely say when we played Missouri State in the
conference tournament. I hit a three-run home run. It was 3-2 with two outs
and guys on first and second, we were down three. I hit a home run to tie
the game and go into extras. Ultimately we lost, but at the moment it was
definitely my greatest accomplishment.
FutureJays.com: You??™re junior so you have one year left at Bradley. Are you
entertaining using your last year of eligibility or are you anticipating getting
your pro career started this year?
Leblebijian: Obviously it??™s a once in a lifetime opportunity. But I??™m meeting
with a scout tomorrow and we??™re going to talk more about the details.
FutureJays.com: Have they given you any indication as to what level you
would start at if you sign?
Leblebijian: Not really. Like everyone else you go through the mini camps and
they evaluate you from there. But they had said short season or maybe low A. -
Bradley's Ryan Eigsti is in the news...
playing in the independent Frontier League Evansville Otters - he has done well enough to get his contract bought by Toronto and sent to Triple A in Las Vegas.
"Ryan Eigsti didn't last long with the Miners as his contract was purchased by
the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. Eigsti had recently been in Triple-A
with the Kansas City Royals and joined the Miners for three games, all played
at Normal, before being snatched back up by an MLB club. Eigsti, a Bradley
University, is in his sixth professional season. He had two hits, including a
home run, while with the Miners. He is being sent to Toronto's Triple-A team
in Las Vegas."
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Another nice story on Bradley player Jason Leblebijian
And Bradley center fielder Max Murphy was named the 2012 Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League Player of the Year. Also news of several other former BU players-
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Originally posted by Da Coach View Post
wow - with all the great play and awards our guys are getting it is virtually certain we're looking at a great season next springComment
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More on Ex-Bradley Braves players Justin Ziegler signs with minor-league team - Kansas City T-Bones
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Story about Jason Leblebijian.
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Bradley grad Jason Leblebijian tearing it up in Double-AOriginally posted by tornado View Post
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