Sean Nolin's All-Star First Half
So how did this great starting pitcher get to where he is today? Nolin played for San Jacinto Junior College before signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, and being from Long Island, it was a change for sure to move to Texas.
"It was a big difference. I guess I got in there and just got used to it. It's definitely two different things. The weather was a lot better. It was definitely a lot hotter. Instead of it being 40 degrees it was 70 degrees. But when it was 70 degrees at home it was 95 degrees in Texas. It was definitely one of the better things. I've never been in weather like that or like this (Dunedin) till College," he said when talking about the change of scenery.
Nolin had been drafted three times before making his decision to sign with the Blue Jays. In 2008, he was drafted out of high school by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 50th round, then in 2009 by the Seattle Mariners in the 48th round and then finally in the 6th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010.
"I was drafted out of high school, first year of Junior College and then finally the second year of junior college. I still felt like I wasn't ready. I felt like I could have done better so I stayed around an extra season and worked out."
Many players talk to teams before they are drafted and have some idea what team they may end up with, but for Nolin being drafted by the Blue Jays was a little of a surprise. "When I was drafted by the Blue Jays it was unexpected. I didn't really talk to them very much. I was back for a couple days in San Jacinto and still had my apartment for a bit so I was cleaning it up. I was actually cooking breakfast when I got the call."
Nolin spent the 2011 season with Lansing, where the roster looked a lot like the current Dunedin Blue Jays roster. "There are a lot of the same guys. All four of the outfielders were on the team last year and a few of the infielders. I think as a team we're good. The chemistry is kind of the same. We all flow with each other. We are off to a good start. We did well last year but we didn't get the job done." Lansing was also a place that he refers to as "comfortable" due to him being from the northern States.
Another interesting fact about Nolin would have to be the differences between him and his brother. "I have one brother who is 5 years older than me. He's 27. He's actually the total opposite. He does performing arts. He performs on stage, sings and dances. My mom says it's the best of both worlds," he said smiling. It was definitely a question of whether or not the dancing genes were given to both brothers. "I can dance a bit. I like to dance," he said laughing.
His family are also avid baseball fans. "My mom is a big baseball fan and so are my grandparents. They watch every Yankee game."
If Sean Nolin keeps pitching this way, his grandparents may soon find themselves watching every game of a different American League East team.
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