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Reid-Foley dominates in '16 Dunedin debut

No. 3 Toronto prospect strikes out career-high 12 over seven innings
June 16, 2016

Ten months may have passed since Sean Reid-Foley's last pitch in the Florida State League, but the right-hander feels like a whole new person.

Toronto's No. 3 prospect fanned a career-high 12 while allowing two hits and two walks over seven innings as Class A Advanced Dunedin beat Clearwater, 4-0, on Thursday.

Reid-Foley, who threw 65 of 99 pitches for strikes, ended his night by striking out his final five batters.

"Whenever I got ahead I stayed ahead or put them away or got them to get out," said the 20-year-old, who needed just 21 pitches to get those last whiffs. "Some of them [strikeouts] were on fastballs, some were on curveballs and some were on sliders. I had three out of the four [pitches] working really well for me."

One aspect Reid-Foley was not happy about was his command.

"Just command my fastball," he said of how to improve it. "That's what happened. I fell behind 2-0 and tried to place pitches. It's not very good, because I ended up walking them. Just have to get better fastball command when I get in those situations and shut that down."

Reid-Foley, whose previous career high was 10 strikeouts for Class A Lansing against Dayton on May 31, was making his season debut for Dunedin after he made 11 starts in the Midwest League. The Guam native ended last season with the Class A Advanced Blue Jays, going 1-5 with a 5.23 ERA in eight starts.

"Last year I was very young and was still learning my delivery," he said. "This year I'm still working on my delivery; now it's just trying to make it as simple as possible so I can repeat it. Last year to this year I have to say I've grown up honestly."

The 2014 second-round pick was very pleased to be back in his second home, the Sunshine State. 

"Hot. I was definitely hot," Reid-Foley said of his return to Florida. "It's fun. Always have a family member or friend watching me. It feels good to play in front of my family and friends like that."

Dunedin's Tim Mayza gave up two hits and struck out one in the eighth while Carlos Ramirez tossed a 1-2-3 ninth.

Jonathan Davis homered and drove in two runs while Gunnar Heidt also went yard for the Blue Jays.

Threshers starter John Richy (1-2) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on three hits and three walks while fanning six over five innings.

Robert Emrich is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobertEmrich.