Jurrjens Eager to be a Role Model on Long Island

It’s officially April folks! That means there is less than a month left before the Ducks take the field to embark on their 19th season of play in the Atlantic League. The roster has been taking shape since the calendar flipped to 2018, and there are a lot of key pieces to the puzzle already complete. However, there is surely more work to be done before the first pitch is thrown on April 27th down in Southern Maryland.

One of those important figures added to the roster is none other than former Major Leaguer Jair Jurrjens. The pitcher first entered the big league radar in 2007 when he was called up by the Detroit Tigers. After making seven starts with the club, he switched leagues in the offseason when he was traded along with Gorkys Hernandez to the Atlanta Braves for 1997 World Series hero Edgar Renteria.

After a solid first full season at the game’s highest level in 2008, a year in which he finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting, he fully stepped into the spotlight with a memorable 2009 campaign. Jurrjens led the NL in games started (34) and posted the league’s third-best earned run average (2.60). His 215 innings pitched ranked ninth in the league as well. The Curaçao native struggled in 2010 but bounced back with an All-Star season in 2011. Jurrjens went 13-6 that year with a sparkling 2.96 ERA and a pair of complete games.

Though he would spend time in MLB over the following three years, injuries and struggles prevented him from maintaining that All-Star status. The 32-year-old would go on to pitch in the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies organizations before spending the 2017 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization at Triple-A. Now, after posting strong numbers in the Dominican Winter League with Tigres del Licey this offseason, Jurrjens finds himself with another new home: Central Islip, N.Y.

The Ducks signed the eight-year Major League veteran at the beginning of March, and he is now gearing up for his first season in the Atlantic League. Like many before him, this season presents an opportunity for the righty to prove that he deserves a spot with a Major League organization and that he could once again pitch in the big leagues. Jurrjens seems determined and ready for the challenge ahead.

We caught up with the starter to get his take on joining the Flock and reflect back on his memorable time in the Major Leagues:

How do you view this new chapter of your baseball career with the Ducks and the Atlantic League?

“I’m going to look at it like a new challenge and take it as I would in any game or any league. I’m going to try to do my part to help the team win and be the best teammate and role model I can be.”

As an eight-year Major League veteran, are you looking to use this opportunity to mentor some younger teammates while also learning from them?

“I’m always open to share my knowledge. Just because a kid hasn’t played in the big leagues, that doesn’t mean he can’t teach me something. I’m always open to teach and learn from a teammate, and if they ever have a question for me, I’m willing to answer and be the best role model possible.”

Will you lean on the guidance of Atlantic League veterans regarding how to pitch to certain players?

“Yes, but it will come down to making my own adjustments when I’m on the mound and trying to see what will work for me. I’m always open to hear suggestions and go over scouting reports, but at the end of the day, I need to make my own adjustments during the game.”

Being that you pitched in the same organization as former Duck Rich Hill in 2017, did his experience with the Ducks have any influence on your decision to come play on Long Island?

“Yeah, definitely! When you’re in my situation, you want to play for the team that has more recognition. You want to put yourself in the best situation possible to get seen. Knowing the history of the team and the players coming out of there, it made it easy for me to choose the Ducks.”

What does it mean to you to be the first pitcher from Curaçao to reach the Major Leagues?

“It was a fantasy, a dream come true. When I got the call, I thought I was going to get traded because there were rumors at the time. When the minor league director asked me if I was ready to pitch on Tuesday for the big team, I was like, ‘Stop playing with me!’ I was walking through a Circuit City store, which was still open at the time, and when I got the news I just sat down in the middle of the store. I had some problems calling my dad and telling him that I was going up. It was a memory that I’m never going to forget. I still think about it sometimes.”

How special was it facing fellow-countryman Andruw Jones for the first time in 2008?

“It was an honor because Andruw and my older brother played on the same team back home, and I used to be the bat boy for them. It was surreal to see him do everything he did in the big leagues before I got there, then to share a field with him and be the first pitcher to face a position player from Curaçao. He’s a legend back home, and to be able to strike him out, I think I’ll cherish that forever. We joke about it still today. We have a great respect for each other.”

You flourished in your second full season in the Majors (2009). What enabled you to be so successful?

“Everybody talks about the ‘sophomore slump,’ and I just prepared myself mentally to not go through that and not be another name. I like to prove to everybody that I’m better than a lot of people think I am. I trusted myself and tried not to do too much. I just tried to attack the hitters and let them hit the ball. When I needed a strikeout, I would step up my game to get that.”

Is there one memory that stands out most from playing in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game?

“Just sharing it with my family. That is one of the things I’m never going to forget. It was one of my dad’s dreams, and I was able to accomplish that. I’m always going to cherish that. It’s an honor to have the words ‘All-Star’ next to your name, but when you go to the game, it’s all about sharing the time with your family and appreciating the support they give you off the field.”

Does it give you added motivation this year to play in the Atlantic League All-Star Game because it’s being held in your home ballpark?

“The main thing is going out there and giving 100% to my team. I don’t have control over the All-Star situation. As a starting pitcher, your job is to keep the team in the game and give them a chance to win. To be an All-Star, it’s about winning and ERA and personal level numbers like that. If I keep the team in the game and give them a chance to win, there’s a good chance that I can be an All-Star too.”

How much of an honor was it to represent the Netherlands twice in the World Baseball Classic (2006, 2017)?

“A lot of people might not believe me, but I think playing for your country is more challenging and nerve-wracking than playing in the big leagues. In a way, you’re representing your family, your friends and your whole country. It’s really an honor to be able to put that flag and that name on my chest.”

Injuries derailed your 2011 season toward the end. Do you think that contributed to your subsequent struggles in the Majors?

“I was actually pitching on one leg that whole year. After the surgery I had the year before, I started to lose strength in my leg and my knee started swelling up. I wasn’t able to push off the mound and had no velocity. I think I had some personal health issues too that didn’t help me recover from a game or a workout. By changing my diet and seeing a doctor, that helped me get back to where I wanted to be.”

Do you have any personal or team expectations going into the 2018 season?

“On a team level, everyone wants to win. I’m not going to come there just to play baseball. I’m trying to come there to win. On a personal level, you are always trying to impress somebody to get an opportunity to go back to the Major Leagues or go overseas. That’s the goal, but it begins by being a good teammate, playing for your team and trying to win. If the team is winning, scouts are going to come to see you.”

What are you looking forward to most about coming to Long Island?

“Just to have fun! I want to be the best pitcher I can be, have fun with the game, be a good teammate and give 100% percent every time I go out there. I want to be a role model for the community and my teammates.”

Barbosa Comes Full Circle in Return to Flock

Andrew Barbosa is back in a familiar place.

Three years after first donning the black and orange, the left-handed pitcher will begin his second tour of duty with the Long Island Ducks. He was signed by the team earlier this month, becoming the first pitcher added to the 2018 roster.

“I’m ready!” Barbosa exclaimed via telephone this week. “Last time I played, it was great. The fans are amazing. The organization as a whole is very professional. It’s great baseball out there.”

It’s been quite the journey for the 30-year-old over the past four seasons. He first came to the Ducks in 2015 after getting released by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the same team that drafted him in the 36th round back in 2012 out of the University of South Florida. The move came as a shock to Barbosa at the time, as he was named a Post-Season All-Star in 2013, a Mid-Season All-Star in 2014 and had compiled a 21-17 record with a 3.78 ERA over 64 games (62 starts).

“To be honest, I never knew what independent baseball was when I got released,” he recalled. “It was two weeks into the season, and I knew there was no chance of a minor league team picking me up because rosters were full. I didn’t know what to expect.”

Despite the uncertainty that can come with a new situation upon being released, Barbosa used his opportunity with the Ducks to prove his worth to Major League clubs. He made nine starts for Long Island, totaling a 4-1 record, a sparkling 2.82 ERA and 59 strikeouts to just 19 walks over 51 innings of work. His devastating changeup kept hitters around the league off-balance, and his 6-foot-8 frame made him an imposing presence on the mound.

“When I got [to Long Island], I realized the competition was great,” Barbosa noted. “It was up there with Double-A and Triple-A. It felt like I picked up where I left off.”

He continued to say, “The coaching staff was great; from the pitching coach to the manager everyone was professional…Being here makes you realize that you have to work hard to get back to where you were, and the team helped me so much.”

Thanks to his performance, the Atlanta Braves came calling. They purchased the southpaw’s contract in July and assigned him to the team’s Double-A affiliate in Mississippi. With the gratification of achieving his goal with the Flock and a fresh start in an MLB organization, Barbosa’s success continued. He made 16 appearances (five starts) to finish the year and posted a 5-2 record, a 2.68 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 43 and two-thirds innings. He was even named the Southern League’s Pitcher of the Week at the end of July after tossing 11 scoreless innings over two starts.

“Initially when you get to a new team you say ‘Okay, they’re giving me a new opportunity,’” Barbosa reminisced. “It felt so good to get picked up by the Braves. When I got there I just kept rolling.”

Although he was successful with the Braves, the organization decided to move on from the Puerto Rico native in the offseason. He was granted free agency in early November, but just over a month later, Atlanta’s NL East rival gave him an opportunity. The New York Mets signed him to a minor league deal, making them Barbosa’s third National League organization. 2016 presented a bit of a challenge, as a lat injury sidelined him for nearly two months between May and July and then for another couple of weeks in early-August.

When healthy, though, Barbosa was magnificent. He split time at four different levels in 2016, including Triple-A for the first time in his career, and in 16 games (15 starts) accrued a 3-0 record, a miniscule 1.51 ERA and 71 strikeouts to 19 walks in 71 and two-thirds innings. He was chosen as the Florida State League’s Pitcher of the Week as well on September 4. During that week, he fired seven no-hit innings while striking out 11 on August 29 at Charlotte. After a promotion back to Double-A, he tossed eight innings of one-hit, scoreless baseball on Sept. 4 at Erie to end the season. His numbers were tremendous, especially to close out the year, yet the Mets felt his injuries proved questionable enough to avoid keeping him. He was granted free agency once again on November 7.

“Going into free agency, I didn’t know what was going to happen,” Barbosa remembered. “They said they’re going to move on and I was disappointed, but when I got a call from my agent saying there were three or four teams that wanted to pick me up, that reassured me maybe I’m still where I want to be.”

He added, “I still often think about why the Mets didn’t want me back. On one hand it was cool to have a new opportunity, but I always wonder why they didn’t want to pick me up again.”

Much like the previous year, it did not take long for an MLB club to consider Barbosa worthy of a contract. This time, it was the Milwaukee Brewers who signed the lefty in a month’s time following his release. The team invited him to spring training and elected to have him pitch out of the bullpen with Triple-A Colorado Springs once the season began. Despite a pair of minor stints on the seven-day disabled list, Barbosa remained healthy enough to appear in 36 games (four starts). In his primary role as a reliever, he compiled a 7-2 record with a 3.68 ERA.

While he was with the Sky Sox, he also had the opportunity to reconnect with his previous Ducks roots. After pitching with Ducks teammate Mickey Jannis in the Mets organization during the 2016 season, he became teammates with 2017 Ducks outfielder Quintin Berry after the Brewers purchased his contract from Long Island in August. Though Berry’s time in Colorado Springs lasted just 10 games before he was promoted to the big league club, Barbosa was able to chat with the MLB veteran about his time on Long Island and recall the great memories both players made there.

“He came over one day, and I said ‘Hey man, how are the Ducks?’” Barbosa recalled. “He said, ‘It’s good to be here, but it was so much fun over there.’ Quintin’s the man. He got called up at the end of the season, and it was awesome to see that. It showed that if you want [to get back to the Major Leagues], you have to grind it out. There are players who get released, get bummed out and stop playing baseball even though they are so talented.”

Following his release by the Brewers last November, the Florida resident made three starts with Indios de Mayaguez during their abbreviated winter season. Now, three organizations and three seasons of winter league baseball in Puerto Rico later, Barbosa is back on Long Island. Having previously gone through an experience with the Ducks that exceeded his expectations, his focus this season is no longer guided by the promise of getting back to an affiliated club. Instead, Barbosa is fueled by the desire to win and let everything else work itself out.

“I’m just going to take it one pitch at a time,” he stated. “I can only control what happens there, and I’m focused on the Ducks. I want to win games and do well, but I have to take it one pitch and one out at a time and everything else will fall into place.”

And not only will the southpaw have competitive baseball to look forward to. After getting married earlier this offseason, he and his wife, Mallory, are expecting their first child together later this year.

Pair of Alumni Eager for Potential Reunion

We have highlighted the exciting journey for former Ducks knuckleballer Mickey Jannis here on the blog recently. The right-hander was flat out dominant for the Ducks (6-2, 1.18 ERA, 16 G, 11 GS) early in 2015 before he was signed by the New York Mets organization. He went on to post a 2-1 record with a 2.98 ERA in eight games (seven starts) at Advanced-A St. Lucie and got some experience at Double-A Binghamton as well. The Nevada native then received an opportunity to pitch in the Arizona Fall League and was 1-1 with a 2.48 ERA in six starts there, further increasing his chances of accelerating up the organizational ladder with the Mets. Now, he might have some familiar company joining him for the ride.

The Mets announced on Monday that Andrew Barbosa was signed to a minor league contract. The left-hander will be joining his third affiliated organization after previously pitching with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves systems.

“I’ve heard many great things about the Mets organization,” Barbosa said in an interview on Friday, “and I’m just excited and blessed to have an opportunity to chase my dream.”

The 6-foot-8 hurler began the 2015 season in the Diamondbacks organization with the Double-A Mobile BayBears. It was the highest he had ever advanced in his career and an opportunity to continue building upon his success from the previous two seasons. He began the year with three scoreless innings in two relief appearances before earning a start on April 20 at Montgomery. However, in that outing, Barbosa lasted just two-thirds of an inning, yielding five runs on three hits and three walks. He would be released three days later and was in need of another opportunity to continue playing.

“It was pretty tough getting released because it was something that was unexpected,” he recalled. “I made a spot start, and I had no excuses. I just didn’t have a good outcome. Stuff was happening in the big leagues, people were being moved and unfortunately, I was the one to go.”

After a few weeks at home, the Long Island Ducks were able to sign Barbosa on May 19. The team was in need of some help in the rotation due to an injury to Sergio Perez and the struggles of Eric Niesen and Mark Rogers. The lefty came into his new surroundings with a bit of uncertainty, but he was eager to take the new experience and run with it.

“I didn’t know what Independent Baseball was, so when I got a text from [Ducks pitcher and former high school opponent] Carmine [Giardina] I had mixed feelings and immediately talked to my agent,” Barbosa noted. “It ended up being a great choice, and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

He went on to say, “When I got released, for those couple of weeks I was home, reality hit me. When one door closes, God opens up another one, and I wasn’t going to let that one shut. I started having fun, playing a game…It’s funny how stuff starts to click when you really think about it.”

Barbosa threw three scoreless innings in his Ducks debut on May 19 at York as part of a 4-1 win. He would then go on to allow just one earned run (two total runs) over his first four starts, spanning a total of 22 innings. In that stretch, he gave up 13 hits and seven walks while striking out 26 batters, including back-to-back 10-strikeout performances on May 30 at Somerset and June 5 at Camden. Despite not having a fastball that blows hitters away, he has found a way to use other aspects of his game to his advantage.

“It’s funny I get asked that question all the time: Do you consider yourself a strikeout pitcher?” he said. “Over the years, I’ve learned that we, as pitchers, each have to work with our own strengths. I have found that for me, keeping the hitters off-balance is key. Everything works off my changeup, and though I don’t throw very hard, my inside fastball works to my advantage for opening up the outer half.”

Jannis added, “Being 6-foot-8 gives him a huge advantage. He has great angle on his ball and mixes speeds very effectively. The angle creates a lot of swings and misses and a high strikeout rate.”

The 28-year-old’s only true hiccup with the Flock came on June 10 when he surrendered six runs on eight hits over four innings to Southern Maryland. However, like the Ducks’ offense did so many times in the first half last year, they rallied back with seven runs in the seventh inning to earn a 10-9 win. Speaking of wins, the Ducks did just that in eight of Barbosa’s nine starts. The lone exception came on June 27 at Sugar Land despite him striking out nine batters over six innings of four-run ball.

Regardless of the one loss, his numbers through nine starts were very impressive. He compiled a 4-1 record with a 2.82 ERA and 59 strikeouts over 51 innings of work. The Ducks had two splendid arms in their rotation in Barbosa and Jannis to go along with familiar faces such as John Brownell and Bobby Blevins. Being newcomers to the Flock helped them also create a strong bond that continues today.

“It was great playing with Mickey,” exclaimed Barbosa. “Talk about a great down to earth guy and very humble! He’s not your typical knuckleballer when he can also throw 91 miles per hour. He throws knuckleballs at various speeds but also knows how to pitch with his fastball.”

Jannis shared the sentiment. “I really enjoyed playing alongside Andrew last season. We had a good connection from the beginning, and he fit right in with the team…He is a very funny person and really helped keep things light around the clubhouse.”

Early July proved to be a difficult time for the Ducks’ organization. Not only did they just miss out on a first half title and guaranteed postseason berth, but they also began to be picked apart by Major League clubs. Jannis was the first go, being signed by the Mets on July 1. Just eight days later, Barbosa became the second. The Atlanta Braves, one of New York’s division rivals, saw the success he had in the Atlantic League and gave him the chance to continue his trek to the big leagues. Barbosa would be assigned to Double-A Mississippi and be kept mainly in a starter’s role despite his bump in the road earlier in the year with Mobile. His first outing: Seven innings, three hits, no runs, one walk, 12 strikeouts. It was a statement from him that he was ready to take advantage of this second chance.

“Signing with the Braves was a blessing,” he reminisced. “To get back into affiliated ball and to prove myself again, it was very motivational. I just wanted to carry over what I was doing with the Ducks to the Southern League. Baseball is baseball no matter where you are.”

After a rough outing on July 16, he bounced back in a big way during the week of July 20th. Barbosa made two starts and won them both, defeating Jackson on the road and his former Mobile squad at home. In the two games, he combined to throw 11 scoreless innings, surrendering just six hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters. For his efforts, he was named the Southern League’s Pitcher of the Week. Although he had been successful, Barbosa was moved to the bullpen after those two starts and made only one more start in his final 12 outings. He would finish the season strong though, posting a 5-2 record and a 2.68 ERA along with 51 strikeouts in 43 and two-thirds innings with Mississippi. However, come the offseason, Barbosa chose to elect free agency on November 6.

“The Braves were a great organization, and I enjoyed playing with them,” he assured. “My agent and I just didn’t come to an agreement and decided to see what opportunities came through free agency. I have to say that my agent, Francis Marquez, handled everything and was talking to multiple teams before we made our decision.”

Fortunately, he was able to latch on with the Mets and now joins an organization that clearly has a heavy focus on pitching. Their Major League starting rotation is arguably the best in baseball, with the likes of Matt Harvey, Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz highlighting the group. However, their minor league arms are quite impressive as well. With Jannis and Barbosa now on the fold, it is quite possible the two could end up pitching together next season either at Double-A Binghamton or Triple-A Las Vegas.

Barbosa commented, “He deserves this opportunity, and hopefully I am able to reunite with him and pitch. Nothing like some friendly competition to keep you zoned in!”

As for Jannis, he also is in favor of a reunion. “It would be great to pitch alongside him again next season in the Mets organization. We kept in touch after we were both picked up by organizations last year, and after I sent him a ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ text he told me he signed with the Mets. It was a little bit of an early Christmas present in a way.”

Neither have ever advanced as high as Triple-A before, so that would be a major accomplishment in and of itself. However, they both have their sights set on Citi Field and the hopes of one day achieving their big league dream. Thinking out loud, Barbosa spoke his mind: “The big leagues is always the goal, and it would be amazing to throw in Citi Field. I can’t even imagine that environment.”