Toronto Blue Jays: Marty Smith on Nate Pearson: “He wants to be great”
Former coach Marty Smith shares his thoughts on Toronto Blue Jays first-round pick, Nate Pearson.
I had the privilege and honor of chatting with Toronto Blue Jays first-round pick, Nate Pearson’s college coach, Marty Smith. Smith, in his 24th season at College of Central Florida, has amassed 702 career wins. He has also won 2 FCSAA State titles to go with his two FCSAA Coach of the Year awards. Smith has also been recognized as the Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year five times.
Coaching at the JUCO ranks, Smith has mentored countless players to DI and DII ranks, and even a handful signed professional contracts, none more notable than 2017 first round pick Nate Pearson.
Pearson ended up at College of Central Florida by way of Florida International University. After striking out 118 batters in 81 IP while posting a stellar 1.56 ERA, Pearson shot up the draft boards in the weeks prior, selected 28th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays.
In fact, Pearson’s stock was rising so fast that Ross Atkins believes he could have gone 1.1 in the draft had it been held a month or so later in the season.
Holy hell is Atkins high on Pearson: "if teams had another month of information on him - his time with us in Vancouver - he would've gone 1-1."
— Joshua (@JoshuaHowsam) January 20, 2018
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That prompted me to reach out to coach Marty Smith. I wanted to know what this kid is like and how did he seemingly come out of nowhere to become a first-round pick for the Toronto Blue Jays and a Top 100 prospect by Baseball America.
At what point did you know Pearson would be a first-round pick and what sets him apart from other SP?
Smith: “Knew he was the bottom of the first-round about a month before the draft. They missed though. He should have been a top 15 pick. What separates him is he a big kid that is has a big arm, and he works extremely hard and wants to be great. Very coachable. Wants to learn. Wants to be an all-star, not just a big leaguer. ….also he is just scratching the surface on how good his secondary pitches are going to be.”
What does he need to do in order to make the leap from good to great?
Smith: “Keep progressing like he is now, experience against professional hitters. As secondary stuff gets better he will progress. Has a chance to be a guy who sits 96-8 (touches 100) with 4 pitches. And maintains velo for 7 innings. And competes like crazy!”
I’ve heard his velo comes really easy without being a max effort guy. Did the two of you ever work on pitching at 75-85% effort in bullpens or in games and if so, how did he respond?
Smith: “Definitely easy velo. He throws with intent almost always. I’d guess 90% would be his lowest intent on a mound. He’s a DriveLine guy. Huge on arm care. His bullpens are 93-96. Haven’t seen him since he went to spring training. He threw a few pens with us before he left.”
Of his secondary pitches, which one has the chance to join his fastball as a plus pitch?
Smith: “Wipeout slider…..changeup getting better. (89-91)….True CB (not slurve)…getting better. The dude works on developing them.”
Is there a big league comp that he reminds you of?
Smith: “Ehhh…it’s mostly been Syndegaard….but I don’t know. …he likes to say Nolan Ryan….he’s a power RHP that competes like crazy….I don’t think there is a true comp.”
So Nate likes to compare himself to Nolan Ryan? I love it. You mentioned his drive to compete. Does he pitch with a chip on his shoulder?
Smith: “Yes. Nate loves Nolan Ryan. Not really a chip. Just competes like crazy. My pitching Coach did a heck of a job with Nate. He was a 15th rounder at our scout day on Sept 15, 2016….and a first rounder 9 months later.”
Were there mechanical adjustments that needed to be made that got him to where he is?
Smith: “No…just DriveLine, working out, changing his body, throwing with intent, spinning breaking balls.”
Next: Jays 2018 Season Preview
Below is a video of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson, throwing at College of Central Florida