High Heels On The Field

Blue Jays Ian Kadish Gets Fall League Nod

Wednesday morning Blue Jays pitching prospect Ian Kadish learned that his season will continue. With the news that John Stilson couldn't participate in Arizona Fall League, Kadish was added to the Salt River roster.

Rest? The reliever,24, says he was looking forward to enjoying some after instructional league concluded, but that does not outweigh the rest.

Here's what he had to say Thursday.

When asked if he was happy to get the rest or if the news was welcome: Both. But this was too good of an opportunity to pass up. You never know. It could be a one-time thing. I'm very excited. That was a great way to start the day yesterday.

How he heard: Our assistant coordinator called me in and I thought it was just to check in and catch up. But then he told me that there was an opportunity for me to continue playing. He asked if I would be interested and I said absolutely. They said they thought it would be great for me and that I deserved it.

What he'll work on: Tightening up my slider. Not just as an out-pitch, but throwing strikes with it. I'm going to continue to refine it. That way next year I'll be able to throw it a lot more consistently.

When asked about differences between levels [he pitched in Low-A & High-A ball]: The biggest difference is that the hitters know the zone better. They don't chase as much in their at-bats. So instead of nibbling at the corners, I needed to attack them more and not try to be so perfect and so fine. I [learned} to let them hit my pitch.

Kadish pitched for the Class-A Vancouver Canadians and Low-A Lansing Lugnuts, going 2-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 40.2 innings this season. He finished the season with 57 strikeouts, with just one home run surrendered.

You can follow Ian on Twitter @TheBearJew_36

Checking In With Mets Prospect Brandon Nimmo

With instructional league behind him, Brandon Nimmo looks forward to resting after a heavy workload in the regular season.

Nimmo,19, played in 69 games for the New York Penn League Brooklyn Cyclones, a schedule he wasn't accustomed to. The outfielder struggled with consistency throughout the season, but he also showed off a number of his skills.

He finished the season hitting .248, with 66 hits, 40 RBI, and 46 walks in 266 at-bats. But he also struck out 78 times. The Cyclones were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. And although Nimmo had his struggles at the plate, he said his comfort level improved even if the results didn't show it at the end of the season.

Here's what he had to say when instructs concluded.

On how he felt at the end of regular season play: Yeah, toward the end I was tired. Those last two weeks, there were four days I felt it. That was affecting me mentally and my ability to play. But I also hit the ball well. I just kept hitting it right at guys. I was making good contact. Statistically it looks worse than how I felt.

On instructional league time: I felt pretty good going into it. Those five days off after the season ended really got my body back under me. I was there three weeks and we worked on the small things. My swing was pretty good. I recovered my legs and was using them a lot better. The main thing was I got more at-bats and more experience. I shortened up my arm in the field. I had a little hitch back there and we worked on eliminating that. I asked questions. And really just got those three extra weeks of experience.

On the winter & off-season program: I'm really going to make sure and take plenty of time off. I'm going to rest and just go hunting. After a few weeks, I'll get back in the weight room.

Here's what he said he'll be working on:

Agility. "My first-step quickness is huge. I'm fast once I get those long legs of mine going. But I need to improve that for base-running and making plays."

Stealing. "That's something we've worked on and I want to get better at. I'm more comfortable with that now."

Swing. "I feel good about my swing, but I need to make sure I'm not getting lazy and that I'm really using my legs."

Fielding. "I'm definitely going to make sure I'm seeing as many balls as I can to get better out there."

Read more with Brandon Nimmo here:

Looking To The Light Of Faith -http://www.highheelsonthefield.net/my_weblog/2012/08/brandon-nimmo-at-the-plate-looking-to-the-light-of-faith.html

Plus, Gotham Baseball Magazine coverage: http://www.gothambaseball.com/2012/07/looking-for-nimmo/

You can also follow Brandon on Twitter @You_Found_Nimmo