UPDATED: Jesse Hernandez signed by Toronto Blue Jays
Updated: 9:45 p.m. Wednesday
Another former Central Michigan baseball player will have a shot at the next level.
Pitcher Jesse Hernandez signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday as an undrafted free agent.
"Monday morning I woke up at 10 a.m. and about an hour later I got a call from the Blue Jays saying they'd like me to come down to Tampa, Fla., and sign with them," Hernandez said. "A couple hours later I was packed up and flew down to Florida. It really hasn't sunk in yet, but I was pretty ecstatic."
Hernandez worked out with Toronto for the first time today, throwing a bullpen session for the organization's staff. He said he will find out Sunday where he will go within the Blue Jays' minor league organization.
"It felt good," Hernandez said. "But it was like 97 (degrees) with a real feel of about 103 - it's a lot different from what I'm used to. There's no big expectations yet but I'm listed as a starter right now."
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound right hander finished the 2010 season with an 8-3 record and 4.58 ERA, earning Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year honors.
"I’m just really excited for him," said CMU coach Steve Jaksa. "We knew he had a real good opportunity to play before. His name was up there (on the draft board) and we knew he had a chance to go. After it was over, we knew they had chance to take him afterward."
After playing his freshman season at Grand Rapids Community College, Hernandez transferred to CMU for the 2007-08 academic year and led the Chippewas with a 3.36 ERA in 20 appearances in 2008.
Jaksa said his experience of pitching at the college level will help him heading into rookie camp.
"They’re going to have their top recruits there and there’s a lot of times he’ll be a teacher for those guys because he’s had more experience pitching in college," he said. "He can show them how it’s done, chew up some innings and make a name for himself. If he can consistently get people out, he’ll have a chance."
Hernandez is the second player to sign with a MLB team this year after former teammate Dale Cornstubble was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 40th round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
