Overachieving With Consistent Performance
Thomas Jankins likes to stay as busy as possible in the winter months. In fact, Jankins spends so much time with baseball when he’s away from his summer job as a pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, it’s like he hardly has any offseason at all. For the past three
Thomas Jankins likes to stay as busy as possible in the winter months. In fact, Jankins spends so much time with baseball when he’s away from his summer job as a pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, it’s like he hardly has any offseason at all.
For the past three years, the native of Worcester, Mass., has made the trek to the northeast to be close to home, to stay physically fit, and also to give back to the game as a pitching instructor.
Jankins, who led the Triple-A San Antonio Missions with a 10-5 record in 2019, usually works out in the morning.
But after that, his day is not done. For instance, this past winter, he’d make a 10-minute drive in the afternoon from his home in Stamford, Connecticut, to work with kids indoors at the Warrior Baseball Academy in Port Chester, N.Y.
“You know, I think I’ve done that every offseason since I’ve been a pro,” Jankins said in a telephone interview. “It’s nice to make some money in the offseason. It’s good to keep busy, as well. You can train in the morning, then work in the camps at night.”
For the kids ranging in age from 4-18, Jankins holds court.
“I think you learn a lot about the game when you’re teaching,” he said. “It’s one thing to play it. But to teach it, it gives you a better feeling of the fundamentals and some of the things that we actually apply when we’re in the games. Teaching gives me a different perspective. It gives me a little appreciation for the coaches that I have and what they have to go through.”
Whatever the reasoning, you can hardly argue with the results.
Jankins was a 13th-round draft choice by the Brewers in 2016 out of Quinnipiac University (Conn.) He was the 381st player selected. With that modest background, the 6-foot-3 right-hander has posted a 30-24 record in four minor league seasons. In 88 mound appearances, including 77 starts, his ERA is a solid 3.95.
Last year, Jankins was called up from Double-A in mid-April to join the Missions and immediately solidified the starting rotation, finishing the season ranked third in wins in the Pacific Coast League and fourth in ERA (4.38). Moreover, he ranked second in the league in ground ball rate (2.07) and seventh in WHIP (1.37).
Because of all that, the 24-year-old, sinker-ball specialist has earned his first trip to major league spring training.
For the past few weeks, Jankins has shared the same dressing and workout facilities with the big leaguers and has made two relief appearances for the Brewers in the Cactus League.
He said the best part about the opportunity is just being around some of the most accomplished athletes in baseball.
“You see the top players in the organization (every day),” Jankins said. “It gives you a little glimpse of what’s on the other side, just getting to watch them, how they go about their business. You can watch their habits. (You watch) how they take care of themselves. How they prepare for every day and every game. I’m just trying to soak it all in and learn as much as I can.”
Though nothing in baseball is ever etched in stone, Jankins is expected to open the season in the starting rotation with the Missions. But he also likely will be on a list of pitchers who could be summoned to the big leagues at some point before season’s end.
Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan said Jankins earned the invitation to big-league spring training with his year-to-year consistency.
“He’s always been…kind of an under-the-radar guy,” Flanagan said. “Last year, and you might ask (manager) Rick Sweet, but he seemed to be as consistent (as any) guy on the Missions’ staff. You know, he just steadily performed. The whole time, he really pitched well. He’s a guy that we really like, obviously, and so he’s getting a chance to pitch in front of the big-league coaching staff and manager this spring. It’s an opportunity he’s (created) by the success he’s had.”
Even though baseball consumes Jankins’ life now, it wasn’t always that way. Growing up in Massachusetts, he also played basketball and soccer. As a prep athlete at Quaboag Regional High School outside of West Brookfield, he played basketball in the winter months before baseball season rolled around in the spring. Jankins said he emphasizes to the kids in his baseball camps that it’s important to have a variety of interests.
“I really didn’t start to play baseball in the offseason until I got to college,” he said. “I like to tell the kids to play as many sports as possible. You know, there’s a lot of different aspects of basketball and soccer and football that you can bring out to the baseball field, too. It’s good to learn from those other sports.”
Right now, though, Jankins is deep into baseball. He pays attention to the analytics, always focusing on how he can make daily improvements. Known primarily as a sinker and slider artist, he’s working now on throwing a more effective four-seam fastball. It’s a step-by-step process to realize the big-picture dream.
“This year, I’m looking to develop a four-seam pitch that I can use up in the (strike) zone,” he said. “I think last year, for the most part, I was using my sinker the majority of the time. This year, if I can get some swings and misses at the top of the zone, I can open up another aspect of my game. I’m always trying to improve. The goal is to get to the major leagues, but you got to go one step at a time. Just try and improve every day. Learn something at the park every day. I’m lucky enough to be around really great players right now, so I’m trying to soak it all in, as much as I can.”
Missions Coast to Second Straight Victory Behind Nett’s Stellar Outing
SAN ANTONIO (June 6, 2025) – With two elite pitching prospects facing off in the fourth game of a six-game series between the Midland RockHounds (32-23) and the San Antonio Missions (30-25), it was the Missions who rode the arm of Braden Nett to a 4-2 victory. Timely hitting and
Piggyback Helps Flying Chanclas Best Midland
SAN ANTONIO (June 5, 2025) – Anthony Vilar's two-run double in the fifth ended up being decisive as the Flying Chanclas de San Antonio (29-25) defeated the Midland RockHounds (32-22) 4-2 on Thursday night. The Luis Patiño and Enmanuel Pinales combination again led to a San Antonio victory like it
San Antonio’s Fight Cedes in Extras; Hounds Take Back-And-Forth Game
SAN ANTONIO (June 4, 2025) – A game which saw four lead changes across 10 innings between The Midland RockHounds (32-21) and San Antonio Missions (28-25) ultimately went the way of the RockHounds. Midland walked away from the second game of a six-game home series while handing the Missions a
RockHounds Cling to 1-0 Victory Over Missions Despite Another Great Baez Start
SAN ANTONIO (June 3, 2025) – A Euribiel Angeles RBI single proved to be the only scoring the Midland RockHounds (31-21) needed in the first of six games against the San Antonio Missions (28-24). Four Midland pitchers, led by starter James Gonzalez, combined to shut-out the Missions in a 1-0
Missions Snatch Series in Arkansas with Thrilling Extra-Inning Victory
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 1, 2025) – A 0-0 game broke open in the tenth when the San Antonio Missions (28-23) scored four in extra innings to clinch both a 4-2 Sunday victory and a series win against the Arkansas Travelers (26-25). Brandon Valenzuela’s RBI double burst the scoreless
Travelers Pull Out Walk-Off Win in Extras
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 31, 2025) – With the game tied at two in the tenth inning, Blake Rambusch poked a single into right field to bring home Yoyner Fajardo and give the Arkansas Travelers (26-24) a walk-off win over the San Antonio Missions (27-23). San Antonio’s pitching staff
Patiño, Pinales Combine to Defeat Travelers
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 30, 2025) – Luis Patiño looked sharp in his first start with San Antonio and Enmanuel Pinales secured his first Double-A win as the Missions (27-22) defeated the Arkansas Travelers (25-24) by a score of 4-2. The Missions have claimed seven wins in their last
Diamantes Push Back on Flying Chanclas’ Comeback Attempt
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 29, 2025) – The Flying Chanclas de San Antonio (26-22) left 13 men on base and fell just short against the Diamantes de Arkansas (25-23) in a 6-4 loss. Romeo Sanabria represented the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, but Michael Hobbs retired him to
Missions Sweep Travelers in Series-Opening Doubleheader
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 28, 2025) – The San Antonio Missions (26-21) stormed into Arkansas and swept a doubleheader against the Travelers (24-23) to begin their six-game series. With the pair of wins, the Missions have now won six straight games. In game one, Jagger Haynes sparkled through his
Lizarraga Earns First Win, Missions Send Wind Surge Packing
SAN ANTONIO (May 25, 2025) – Tallies in the seventh and eighth innings handed the San Antonio Missions (24-21) another comeback and one-run win against the Wichita Wind Surge (23-22). Both late runs for San Antonio came on Wind Surge errors, which the Missions utilized to secure a 3-2 Sunday
Wind Wreaks Havoc on Surge, Missions Clinch Series
SAN ANTONIO (May 24, 2025) – A five-run sixth lifted the San Antonio Missions (23-21) over the Wichita Wind Surge (23-21) on Saturday night. The 5-2 victory clinched a series win for San Antonio ahead of tomorrow’s finale. The game remained scoreless through the fifth as Wichita starter Christian MacLeod
Hoeing Grabs Win in Rehab Appearance, Missions Skate Past Wichita
SAN ANTONIO (May 23, 2025) – For the third time this week, the San Antonio Missions (22-21) squeaked by with a one-run win against the Wichita Wind Surge (23-20). The Friday night version of the story saw five Missions pitchers combine to hold Wichita to just one run in a
Baez Dazzles as Late Heroics Boost Flying Chanclas Over Wind Surge
SAN ANTONIO (May 22, 2025) – Once again, the Missions, playing as Flying Chanclas de San Antonio (21-21), relied on some late inning heroics, and once again it was Nerwilian Cedeño putting on the cape. Cedeño, after hitting a walk-off double in Tuesday night’s opener, hit a go-ahead single in
Wind Surge Wiggle out of Trouble to Defeat Missions
SAN ANTONIO (May 21, 2025) – The San Antonio Missions (20-21) stranded 10 runners on base as they fell 6-4 to the Wichita Wind Surge (23-18). Francisco Acuña tallied three hits in the leadoff spot, and the Missions out-hit the Wind Surge, but Wichita held on to even up the
Cedeño Walks Off Wichita, Sanabria Finishes Triple Shy of Cycle
SAN ANTONIO (May 20, 2025) – Nerwilian Cedeño, making his Double-A debut for the San Antonio Missions (20-20), cracked an RBI double to score Cody Roberts all the way from first and walk-off the Wichita Wind Surge (22-18) in a 5-4 San Antonio victory. Cedeño stole the show from a
RockHounds Win Finale to Take Series from Missions
MIDLAND, Texas (May 18, 2025) – Starter Chen Zhuang bookended the series between the San Antonio Missions (19-20) and Midland RockHounds (23-16) with wins for the home team. His six innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts along with a pair of homers from Junior Perez did more than enough
Missions Mount Late Comeback, Hang on to Defeat RockHounds
MIDLAND, Texas (May 17, 2025) – With two outs in the ninth inning and the tying-run 90-feet away, Manuel Castro fanned Caeden Trenkle to pick up his fourth save of the season and secure a 7-6 win for the San Antonio Missions (19-19) over the Midland RockHounds (22-16). After losing
Missions Pound Season-High 21 Hits, Survive Wild Game in Midland
MIDLAND, Texas (May 16, 2025) – The Permian Basin famously served as the inspiration for Friday Night Lights, an iconic drama that turned into a book, movie and TV series. On this Friday night under the lights in Midland, not even that script could match what went on in the
Big Night for Roberts Not Enough as RockHounds Storm Back to Beat Missions
MIDLAND, Texas (May 15, 2025) – Despite jumping out to a 5-0 lead, the San Antonio Missions (17-19) gave up nine unanswered runs at one point and fell 9-6 to the Midland RockHounds (22-14). Cody Roberts finished a double shy of the cycle for the Missions, driving in four runs
RockHounds Silence Missions on Wednesday Night
MIDLAND, Texas (May 14, 2025) – Left-hander Greg Jump tossed six scoreless innings in his Double-A debut to help the Midland RockHounds (21-14) shut out the San Antonio Missions (17-18). Jump, an LSU product, earned the win, while Victor Lizarraga suffered the 6-0 defeat. A Junior Perez two-run homer, three
19 Hits Give RockHounds Series Opener Over Missions
MIDLAND, Texas (May 13, 2025) – The Midland RockHounds (20-14) pounded 19 hits in a 14-6 Tuesday afternoon win against the San Antonio Missions (17-17). The 19 hits are the most allowed by the Missions so far in 2025. Henry Bolte drove in four runs on four hits and finished
Valenzuela’s Eighth-Inning Homer Secures Series Split for San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO (May 11, 2025) – Brandon Valenzuela started the two-week homestand with a walk-off homer against Corpus Christi last Tuesday, and he finished it with a game-winning homer in the eighth inning on Sunday afternoon to give the San Antonio Missions (17-16) a 2-1 victory and series split against
Sanabria Calls Game, Blasts Walk-Off Homer Against Frisco
SAN ANTONIO (May 10, 2025) – Down to their final out, Romeo Sanabria crushed a walk-off two-run homer to give the San Antonio Missions (16-16) an exhilarating 2-1 win over the Frisco RoughRiders (20-12). The Missions had been held hitless into the sixth inning by Frisco starter Mitch Bratt, but
RoughRiders Squeeze by Oat Milkers
SAN ANTONIO (May 9, 2025) – The San Antonio Missions (15-16), playing as the Malmo Oat Milkers, placed the tying-run in scoring position in the ninth inning but ultimately fell short against the Frisco RoughRiders (20-11) in a 4-3 loss. The game began as a pitcher’s duel between Jagger Haynes
Frisco Takes Rain-Soaked Matchup with Flying Chanclas
SAN ANTONIO (May 8, 2025) – After a 1-hour and 23-minute rain delay, the Frisco RoughRiders (19-11) used 12 hits and five Flying Chanclas de San Antonio (15-15) errors to win 12-6 on Thursday night. Nick Krauth took home the victory out of the bullpen while San Antonio starter Victor