SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – With spring right around the corner, one thing is for certain… baseball is back in action.  College baseball is well underway with thousands of players around the nation chasing the same dream.

This dream became a reality for former UIW pitcher, Geno Encina, when he received a call last summer that would change his life. The Toronto Blue Jays drafted the right-hander in the 18^th round of the Major League Baseball draft.

"It was an awesome feeling," Encina said.  "For sure one of the highlights of my life.  Getting that opportunity to play in the next level, it's pretty much what every baseball player dreams about, so it's definitely a great feeling."

As a Cardinal, Encina started 34 games in three years. He recorded a 2.80 earned run average, threw six complete games and struck out 187 batters while only walking 43.

The transition from college to pro ball wasn't an easy one, but Encina sees it all as a challenge.  "My first game was pretty rough," said Encina.  "I got knocked around a little bit. I gave up about five runs and it put a lot of things into perspective. Being at the next level, you are facing guys who are just as good or even better and everyone is working hard all the time. Luckily the coaching staff in the Toronto organization has been great about working with me and I've made some adjustments. I ended up doing well and they let me get my starts in and finish the year strong."

Encina made 12 appearances for Toronto's rookie ball affiliate Bluefield Blue Jays in the Appalachian League.  After giving up five runs in his first game in pro ball, he improved with every appearance.  After lowering his ERA significantly in his next four appearances, he earned his first start.  He pitched 4.2 innings against the Johnson City Cardinals, giving up two hits, one run and two walks while striking out five.  He went on to start four more games, including his first professional win when he pitched five scoreless innings against the Pulaski Yankees on August 23.  He allowed four hits and struck out four in the victory.  He finished the year 1-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 44.1 innings of work.  He walked 10 and struck out 45 and earned a save in relief.

"I had to learn what kind of pitcher I am," Encina said.  "Having a much smaller strike zone and umpires being a lot tougher on the pitchers made me realize I am a finesse pitcher and then used it to my advantage. In college, I could get away with some mistakes, but in pro ball it's not like that."

Encina's organization, the Toronto Blue Jays, took advantage of many mistakes by pitchers in the big leagues and made it all the way to ALCS, where they lost a seven game series to the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals.

"I feel very fortunate to be in the Toronto organization," said the pitcher.  "Seeing what they did this past summer and the moves that they have made this offseason goes to show that they are trying to compete with the best and win championships up in the bigs and all of that trickles down into the minors."

Being in the Blue Jays' organization gave Encina a chance to talk to and work with former greats like Carlos Delgado, Tim Raines and even Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar.  "All of these guys come to Bluefield, West Virgina with so much knowledge and are willing to work with us," Encina said. "I'm really fortunate to have people like that in this organization and seeing guys like Johan Santana and Joba Chamberlain at the Complex.  I'll just try to pick their brain and see what stuff they have that could help me."

It's all fun and games when it comes to playing in pro ball, but in order to stay there and continue to move up it takes a lot more than just playing the games.  "One thing people outside don't really see is that it's not all about the games," Encina said.  "Obviously everyone wants to do well in games, but it's all about the work you put in off the field.  How you hold yourself as a person is huge within the minor leagues."

Encina has been working hard this offseason to improve after his first year of pro ball.  If you don't believe it, you can come watch him run poles in the middle of the day at Sullivan Field at Incarnate Word or working with some of the current Cardinals.

"I've gotten a chance to throw to some of the hitters here and it's definitely helping both of us," he said.  "The hitters get to see me throw and I get to see some live hitters before heading back to Florida for spring training."

Even though Encina is now a professional baseball player, he doesn't forget the people that helped him get to where he is.  "Coach Heep has been a great influence from the beginning," he said.  "I owe a lot to him and all the assistant coaches. It's definitely great to see the program making progress in the jump into Division I. The future is bright at this school."

Before leaving for spring training on March 5, we were able to ask Encina what his favorite thing about pro ball has been.  "I really enjoy the competition, but my favorite thing is definitely all the uniforms we get to wear," a smiling Encina said.

by Daniel Yancelson
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