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Baseball: Comer adjusting to life as a pro

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Photo courtesy of Toronto Blue Jays

The bus rides are back, a little longer but a bit more comfortable.

That short trip around the corner to Shawnee High School has been replaced by a road trip to Burlington, N.C.

Instead of heading to Cherokee, it’s a three-game series in Johnson City, Tenn.

Lenape is now Pulaski, Va.

So is the life of Kevin Comer, a rookie trying to fulfill his dreams of reaching the big leagues.  

A 2011 Seneca High School graduate and first-round supplemental pick of the Toronto Blue Jays, Comer recently began his first season as a professional. The hard-throwing right-hander calls Bluefield, West Va., home for the moment – Toronto’s affiliate in the Appalachian League.

“It’s not as bad as some of the stories I’ve heard,” he said. “I’m enjoying it. I have some friends now, so it’s not like I’m alone.

“It gets rough at times, but it’s not terrible. You miss your family and friends back home, but I don’t mind it at all because I get to play baseball.”

Comer was taken with the 57th overall pick in the 2011 draft, just a day before he earned the third of four postseason victories with a Group 3 state semifinal win over Middletown South. He would go on to beat Paramus as Seneca claimed the second state crown in school history.

That day – June 11, 2011 – would be the last game Comer pitched before making his professional debut two weeks ago against the Bristol White Sox.

“To finally play, it was really a cool experience,” said Comer, who went 6-0 with a 1.65 ERA and 63 strikeouts as a Vanderbilt recruit in his senior year. “Looking in the mirror and having that jersey on … I was a little nervous the first time out there on the mound. But once I went through it, everything was all right. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Over the past year, Comer spent time in instructional ball, worked out at home in the winter and participated in spring training activities in Florida. The Appalachian League is the first stop in what he hopes to be a lengthy career.

Comer took the loss in his debut, but has since evened his record at 1-1. He’s struck out nine, walked none and owns a 2.25 ERA in three, four-inning appearances.

The Blue Jays use what he said is a “piggyback system,” where pitchers flip-flop between starting and coming out of the bullpen. Pitchers are on limited pitch counts.

“It’s more about the innings than who starts,” he said.

“I’ve been throwing really well; throwing strikes and feeling comfortable. I’ve had a lot of movement on my pitches and I’m feeling good about it.”

Comer is on a five-day routine as far lifting weights and running. He gets his bullpen sessions in between days he pitches and is getting used to the daily grind.

“As far as being in shape, they’re on top of it all,” he said.

Comer generally wakes up around 10:30 and is at the field between 1-2. He’ll stretch and lift weights, followed by more stretching and throwing. Then there’s conditioning, shagging balls during batting practice and a little down time to relax before each game.

He’s usually back home or at the hotel by midnight.

It’s much more than walking off the bus at 3 p.m. for a 3:45 start against the likes of the Olympic Conference.

“I’ve grown up as far as realizing what this is all really about,” Comer said. “It’s become more than just a game. It’s still a game and it’s fun, but there’s a lot more meaning behind it all now.

“The best thing is just being able to come out and play. There are a lot of guys here from my draft class and I’ve got some good friends now. I love the decision that I made. I’m happy and have no regrets. I’m excited to get moving on. Heck, I’m playing baseball every day.”

Follow Kevin Minnick on Twitter at @varsityinsider


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