C’s Chat – 2024 Vancouver Canadians INF #18 Jamari Baylor – C's Plus Baseball

Another off-season C’s Chat begins with 2024 Vancouver Canadians utility man Jamari Baylor.

The Richmond, Virginia native took a disciplined approach to becoming a professional ballplayer by transferring to Benedictine College Preparatory, a military school outside of Richmond, for his junior season in 2018. Baylor batted. 482 with eight home runs, 28 runs batted in and 25 stolen bases and was selected to the All-Metro and All-State Teams. That was followed up with a senior season in which he hit .412 with seven homers and 21 RBI to help Benedictine capture the 2019 Virginia Independent Schools state title.

The Philadelphia Phillies took notice of Baylor’s exploits. After selecting shortstop Bryson Stott out of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with their first pick, the Fightin’ Phils stocked up again at the six-spot by taking Baylor with its second pick, which came in the third round at number 91 overall as Philadelphia did not have a second-round selection. With a $675,000 signing bonus, Baylor was off to Clearwater, Florida to start his professional career. His time with the Gulf Coast League Phillies was limited to four games due to a hamstring injury. Baylor batted .273 in his introductory stint in pro ball and was rated Philadelphia’s number 19 prospect in its minor league system by Baseball America.

“Baylor impressed a number of scouts over the summer before the 2019 draft with his speed, athleticism, hitting ability and, most of all, his above-average makeup…Baylor is a plus runner and has a shot to be an above-average hitter. He works counts well and seems allergic to strikeouts. He has a contact-oriented approach, but has enough strength to yank a home run if a pitcher gets sloppy, and he has the potential to add more muscle and strength. Baylor faces more skepticism about where he ends up defensively. He has a quick first step and an above-average arm, but his actions and his exchange are a little slow. If he can’t stay at shortstop his arm and range could fit at second or third base or in the outfield, so he has plenty of options.”

Baseball America says Baylor had another hamstring injury in 2020 and combined with the pandemic, he did not see his next affiliated action until 2021. However, Baylor did get an invite to go to Australia to join the Adelaide Giants for some winter ball action.

It was late June of 2021 that Baylor got back into action with the Florida Complex League Phillies and he slashed .303/.436/.584 with eight doubles, one triple, five homers, 18 RBI and 11 stolen bases. The injury bug did bite Baylor again but he earned his first promotion to High-A Clearwater in September and got in 15 games with the Threshers.

In 2022, Baylor struggled with the bat and hit .178 in 89 games with Clearwater but did draw a walk nearly 17 percent of the time with an on-base percentage of .353. The 2023 season began at High-A Jersey Shore where his BA/OBP checked in at .172/.333 in 10 games with the BlueClaws. On May 6, Baylor was traded to the Colorado Rockies for cash.

After making his organizational debut at the Arizona Complex League in which he had a hit and two walks against the ACL D-backs Red squad on June 5, Baylor was assigned to Low-A Fresno and made an immediate impact with the Grizzlies. He came off the bench to hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer and drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the winning run against Lake Elsinore on June 6. That was the beginning of a seven-game hitting streak and a nine-game on-base string, culminating in being named the California League Player of the Week from June 5-11. In 33 games with Fresno, Baylor slashed .333/.475/.611 with nine doubles, seven dingers, 27 ribbies and six swipes in seven tries.

Baylor was promoted to Spokane where he suited up in 18 games for the Indians, none of them against Vancouver. He slugged his first Northwest League home run which was a two-run shot in a win at Eugene on July 29 and contributed a key two-run double to help Spokane knock off Hillsboro on August 10. He batted .185 with a .313 on-base mark with Spokane before being released by Colorado on August 23.

Baylor resurfaced with the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League to begin the 2024 campaign. He was not in the Keystone State for long as he played just 15 games in which he posted a line of .255/.379/.511 with three doubles, three homers, 12 RBI and three stolen bases. On May 22, Baylor was signed as a free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays. Revolution manager Rick Forney—the long-time skipper with the Winnipeg Goldeyes—said of Baylor, “The career on-base percentage has been really good, and as he’s maturing, the bat-to-ball skills should hopefully improve as well. He’s a dynamic player… He’s got some pop and can steal bags, so he’s going to have the ability to score runs for the Blue Jays organization.”

Baylor’s first assignment in the Jays org was Vancouver and he joined the club in Hillsboro for his C’s debut on May 23. His first hit in a Vancouver uniform came the next night in a win against the Hops on May 24. His first RBI with the C’s was a bases-loaded walk and he took one for the team in another victory over Hillsboro on May 25. Baylor had two ball-fours in another triumph against Barley’s Boys on May 26.

In June, Baylor busted out with a big series in Everett. He went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base in a win over the AquaSox on June 5 and slugged his first homer in a C’s uniform as part of a two-hit night on June 6. His second home run was a big one as he belted a three-run shot to complete a comeback from a 7-0 deficit to stun the Frogs on June 8. Baylor went yard again and added a single in another victory at Everett on June 9. He contributed two singles, a walk and RBI in a win at Tri-City on June 21 and was 3-for-4 with a stolen base in a win against Hillsboro on June 26.

Unfortunately, Baylor would suffer a hamate injury, and he missed two months of action. He would return in late August just in time to score the winning run in a pinch-running assignment to help Monty’s Mounties clinch a playoff berth in a walk-off victory over Eugene on September 5. In the September 8 regular-season finale, Baylor had a single, a hit by pitch, a walk and a run scored as the C’s knocked off the Em’s.

Baylor was on the Canadians postseason roster but he did not appear in any of the four games in the Northwest League Championship Series against his former squad, Spokane. On November 4, Baylor became a minor-league free agent.

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C’s Plus Baseball spoke with the 24-year-old Baylor during the team’s final homestand against Eugene. This interview has been edited for clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – Talk about how you first joined the Blue Jays organization. You were playing independent ball with the York Revolution. How did that all come about?

Jamari Baylor – Yeah, I was playing independent ball. It’s crazy because after three games, you know, I was doing pretty well, and then I was laying in bed, and then the manager called me right there. And early in the morning, I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ It was just shocking. He called me and told me the Blue Jays signed me. It was the best feeling ever. I was excited to get back to an affiliate and do my thing. I told my parents and everybody was really excited for me. I was just ready to go. And the next day I was up and going and now I’m here.

CPB – Who got a hold of you from the Blue Jays?

JB – It was (director of minor league operations) Charlie Wilson. He called me. I talked to him. He’s a great guy. He got me all settled and ready to go.

CPB – Well, it wasn’t a long tenure you had with York, but what did you take away from that experience of independent ball where, looking at your baseball reference page, you were five years younger than the average player there.

JB – Oh yeah, I loved it. A lot of older guys, so a lot of wisdom and knowledge they had to give out. And so I was just taking in all the knowledge they have. And we just had a fun time. It was a really good team. The coaches were great. The stadium was great. The fans were great. I had a really nice host family. All around, it was a great experience. And the ball was really, really fun, too.

CPB – I know you get lots of advice from players and coaches. Anything that maybe stands out or one piece of advice that you always follow?

JB – Yeah, a lot of players that came across but one told me just try to be consistent. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing well or not, just try to be consistent and then come in every day ready to go, just play and have fun.

CPB – After the Rockies let you go, how were you able to bounce back and pick things up again with the York Revolution?

JB – I went the whole offseason being a free agent, which is tough, but you got to keep your head up and keep going. During the offseason, I signed with York. I was excited and ready to go play. I just wanted to get back on the field. When I got there, I just got settled and then met the coaches, then the people, (host) family, and all that, and just had a lot of fun there. I can’t stress it enough. It was really fun in York.

CPB – How did you get started in baseball? Take us through the timeline that led up to the Phillies drafting you in the third round of 2018.

JB – I transferred to a private high school and I did my thing there and had a lot of fun there as well. One summer I played a lot of travel ball and then kind of got on the (draft) boards and after that my senior year, I did really well. We won a championship that year and then I was drafted by the Phillies which was the best feeling ever going to Philly because my family, they love Phillies as well. So it was just a great experience. I think about it sometimes. It was one of the best times of my life.

CPB – Last year, you got to experience life in the Northwest League with Spokane. As it turned out, you never did face the Vancouver Canadians but you’re here this year. What was your first taste of Northwest League ball like for you?

JB – It was a little different. It was very hot but it was fun. I met a lot of people, the coaches were great. Something to get used to because it’s a little different. I don’t know, maybe just the weather. It’s a little different but it’s something you get used to and once you get used to it, you have a lot of fun.

CPB – Is this the first time you’ve been in Canada?

JB – Yes, actually it is. Before I got here, I got my passport. I made sure I had my passport and everything, my work visa and all that. I was excited to get back on the field and play affiliate ball.

CPB – You have had your moments with the Canadians, definitely that series in Everett. I believe it was three home runs in four games but the really big home run was when the team was down 7-0 and came back to win 8-7 thanks for your home run. What do you remember about that experience in Everett?

JB – Everett was a great time. I love that field and it was a really great series. I started to get my swing. I started to feel really great after my first home run and start getting into a little groove and start squaring balls. And once I hit that home run, it just really clicked and I was ready to go after that. Unfortunately, I fractured my hamate a week after that, so I missed a lot. But the team, Vancouver, is great. I cannot wait to get a ring this year and celebrate with the team.

CPB – Your hamate injury, how tough of a rehab was that for you trying to get your hand ready? They always say it takes a while for the power to return before you really feel 100 percent again but how’s that process been for you?

JB – It was tough, just like any injury. Just going back to the complex rehabbing and trying to mentally stay strong and get through. Because there were a lot of thoughts going through my head, thinking the season might end before I get back. I was trying to stay positive every day, get better with my hand and just physically get ready to help the team out. It was tough but definitely a learning experience that could tear you down, but you keep your head up, keep going and try to stay positive throughout the whole process.

CPB – The Player Development Complex, have you seen anything like that before? What are your impressions of that place?

JB – Oh, I love it. It’s great. The coaching staff, the fields, it was was nice to get that experience there and taking everything from there.

CPB – Was there something you learned about yourself going to the Player Development Complex? Anything that maybe jumped out at you?

JB – Yeah, we started with different routines, tried new routines to kind of get me going, get the body going, get my feet under me. There’s a lot of things I did hitting and defensive-wise. I’ve been playing all positions, so trying a lot of new things, outfield, different corners, infield. A lot of different drills, routines kind of stick with me, leading on to the offseason. I met a couple of rehab coaches there that got me ready to come back here and ready for the offseason as well.

CPB – Your approach when you step into the batter’s box. What do you key in on?

JB – Me personally, I’m all for getting your A-swing off. Getting the pitch you can drive and just let loose. I don’t like to get in 0-2 counts. That’s my goal, not try to get in 0-2 counts. I know it will happen but I try to deliver and not miss it.

CP – You have a pretty healthy walk rate. Is that always something you’ve always had, a really good eye at the plate and taking your walks when you can get them?

JB – Oh, of course. I try to limit the strikeouts as well. A lot of walks over my whole career, but a good amount of Ks as well. That’s why I’m now on a different approach. Just trying to jump on the fastball early because you will see a lot, even sliders sometimes. My best pitch to hit for me is a slider.

CPB – Looking at your game defensively, you’ve been all over the infield. Do you have a position you prefer or does it matter to you?

JB – Anywhere the team needs me. I want to win and help the team out any way possible. So wherever they need me, I’m there.

CPB – Did you have a favourite major league team or player growing up?

JB – Yeah, I was a Red Sox fan. I loved the team when Dustin Pedroia was there. Obviously, David Ortiz. The whole team, I grew up watching. When I used to play video games, I would play as them. That was my favourite team until I got drafted.

CPB – Final question. The Canadians have five different uniforms—white, red, black, grey or blue. Do you have a favourite?

JB – I think blue is my favourite. It goes well with my cleats and everything. I think blue looks great on all of us.

Jamari Baylor File

Born – August 25, 2000 in Richmond, Virginia
Height/Weight – 5-foot-10, 190 pounds
Bats/Throws – Right/Right
Uniform Numbers – Wore number 3 with the Florida Coast League Phillies and number 7 with the Clearwater Threshers in 2021. Wore number 5 with Clearater in 2022. Wore number 7 with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, number 21 with the Arizona Complex League Rockies, number 2 with the Fresno Grizzlies and number 36 with the Spokane Indians in 2023. Wore number 3 with the York Revolution and numbers 15 and 18 with the C’s in 2024.
Professional Debut – July 9, 2019 with GCL Phillies West at GCL Tigers East.
First Professional Hit – July 10, 2019 with GCL Phillies West. Singled against Geremias Peguero at GCL Tigers.
First Professional Home Run – July 15, 2021 with Florida Complex League Phillies. Homered against future Vancouver Canadian Michael Dominguez of Florida Complex League Blue Jays.
Walkup Music – “That’s It” by Future & Lil Uzi Vert.
Twitter – @lifebaylor
Instagram – @jamari_baylor