C’s Chat – 2025 Vancouver Canadians LHP #15 Javen Coleman – C's Plus Baseball

The latest C’s Chat is with 2025 Vancouver Canadians pitcher Javen Coleman.

Born in Sherman, Texas, Coleman grew up in Richmond, a suburb of Houston, where he was homeschooled. He got into baseball at the recreational level before joining the Northside Falcons, a homeschool baseball program in the north Houston area where he batted .527 in his 2019 junior season as a first baseman and outfielder. More baseball exposure for Coleman came in the form of travel ball when he joined the Premier Baseball program out of Houston. He earned All-Tournament Team selections at the Perfect Game 17U World Series and MLK Championship (Underclass) in 2018, as well as the World Wood Bat Association South Qualifier and World Championship in 2019.

Rated as the number two lefthanded pitcher in Texas and the 342nd-best high school prospect for the 2020 MLB Draft by Perfect Game, Coleman would go to Louisiana State University instead. His 2021 freshman season saw him make a dozen relief appearances where he won three of five decisions with a 5.79 earned run average while striking out 43 batters and walking 18 in 32⅔ innings. The highlight of that year for Coleman was being named to the NCAA Eugene Regional All-Tournament Team thanks to six innings of one-run relief with six strikeouts to earn the win against the host Oregon Ducks on June 7.

The 2022 season saw Coleman pitch just six innings with a 6-2 K/BB total and a 1-0 record before he was sidelined with Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. He would return to the mound in late April of 2023 and tossed 14 innings in which he struck out 21 batters but walked 16. Coleman was able to contribute to LSU’s College World Series championship by striking out two batters in 1⅓ innings against Wake Forest on June 21.

The Los Angeles Dodgers would draft Coleman in the 16th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, but he opted to return for one final hurrah with LSU in 2024. He recorded three wins in four decisions with a 5.19 ERA with a 28-21 strikeout/walk total in 26 innings. Coleman ended the year on a good note by tossing 1⅓ shutout innings against host North Carolina in the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional on June 3.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Coleman as a free agent on July 22, 2024, on the advice of scout Steve Riha. Coleman’s professional debut was pushed back to 2025 with Low-A Dunedin where he made an immediate splash by earning the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week award for April 8-13. He got the weekly honour by striking out nine batters over 4⅓ shutout stanzas of relief against Jupiter. Coleman also achieved the Immaculate Inning with three strikeouts on nine total pitches at Fort Myers on May 6.

After striking out 45 batters against 17 walks in 28⅓ innings and posting a 4.45 ERA with Dunedin, Coleman was promoted to Vancouver on June 25. He has been even better with the C’s by recording multiple strikeouts in his first nine relief appearances and earning the Northwest League Pitcher of the Week award for July 21-27. Coleman threw 5⅓ innings of no-hit ball over two appearances, striking out nine and walking only one at Tri-City. That included a 3⅓ inning stint in which he punched out six batters on July 21. Over 14 innings in July, Coleman struck out 22 and walked only three while putting up a 1.93 ERA.

Coleman was one pitch away from his second immaculate inning against Hillsboro on August 6, with all 10 pitches recorded as strikes. He has given up just one run in three appearances to begin August, earning the save at Spokane on August 13.

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C’s Plus Baseball was able to speak with the 23-year-old Coleman during the C’s 10-game homestand in July. This interview has been edited for clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – Let’s take it back to the start of your baseball career. I read that you were homeschooled, so how did you get involved in the sport?

Javen Coleman – Yeah, I didn’t start playing baseball until I was seven. I wasn’t really into any sports. My Dad was working a lot away from home. My Mom was like talking to my dad, ‘We need to get Javen into sports. Like, let’s just let him pick whatever.’ And I hadn’t played anything, so I was just like, ‘Let’s just go with baseball.’ Ever since I stepped on the field, I loved the game. That’s just kind of how I got into it.

CPB – What were some of the teams you played for when you first got started?

JC – It was just like a regular rec team when I was little. Then I worked into more select, like travel baseball, in the summers. I just kind of worked up and then played for some pretty good teams in high school. And then in the spring, I played for a homeschool team. Like you mentioned, I was homeschooled, so I would play spring ball for like just a homeschool team. Everybody on the team was homeschooled. It was pretty cool. Then I got to go off and play for Premier Baseball during the summer, and that’s just kind of where I played all my travel baseball, from the age of 13 until I graduated. So Premier Baseball out of Houston, Texas.

CPB – Okay, so how did you wind up at LSU?

JC – Yeah, just a summer baseball tournament. It was in Georgia. Played in a big tournament, ended up pitching fairly well, starting through like five innings. I know there were quite a few scouts in the stands at the time, and I was getting recruited for smaller D1s (Division I schools), like Liberty, University, Wichita State, and schools like that. But nothing too big. Actually, my coach at the time was really close with Nolan Cain, one of the coaches at LSU at the time. And he said, ‘Hey man, you got to come look at this kid. You got to come watch him in his next start.’ So he ended up coming out and watching me, and they said they liked what they saw, but I was just a little bit smaller at the time and still needed to fill out. And so they’re like, ‘Hey, we’ll just give him some time to fill out and see how things go.’ So I think it was like two weeks later after I threw in that tournament, and I got a call. They’re like, ‘Hey, we really want you to come to this camp, this date.’ And I was like, ‘Okay, sure. I have nothing to lose. Let’s just go.’ So I went. I think I ended up striking out like 11 in a row. I was walking off the mound. The head coach, Paul Mainieri, was like, ‘Javen, come on over here. Come take a seat next to me.’ And I was like, ‘Alright, how’s it going, coach?’ You know, I hadn’t even met him yet. And he was like, ‘Hey, so how’s an offer sound?’ And that’s how it ended up. I was just like, ‘Sure, let’s do it.’ Like, why wouldn’t you want to go to LSU? So I was like, ‘I guess that was God’s plan all along.’So it was cool.

CPB – When did you become a pitcher?

JC – No, I was more so a position player, even when I was just little, all the way up and through high school. I don’t think I really started working on pitching, like really dedicating my time towards pitching until I was probably 15, 16. That’s when I took it to the next step and kind of stepped away from hitting. But I still hit. Still, I would love to hit. Still, I think any pitcher would, you know? But yeah, I would say until like I was 15, I started like really diving into pitching and really trying to work on mechanics and, you know, working on (being more) fluid down the mound and really just work on my pitching game.

CPB – Who would you say has helped you develop as a pitcher?

JC – I think all my coaches over the years have helped me out a lot. But one guy out of the Houston area that I worked with since I was like 13, 14 when I started pitching, his name is David Evans out of Premier Baseball. That’s who I played for in summer ball. So yeah, worked a lot with him. Love him to death. Still talk to him. Great guy.

CPB – Your time at LSU, you were a part of a College World Series championship. When you look back at your time there, what stands out for you?

JC – Yeah, I mean, obviously the national championship. That was sick. But also, I think the biggest thing for me was just playing with a bunch of great teammates like Paul Skenes, Tre’ Morgan, Dylan Crews. I think that was the more fun thing, just playing with guys that with that much talent, watching how they go day to day about their work, and just like knowing how tedious the game is and just watching them grow every single day as a player helped me. I think that was the biggest thing for me and just had a lot of fun with them.

CPB – How did you develop as a pitcher with LSU?

JC – I was there for four years and a lot of people don’t know this, but over the four-year span, I had four different pitching coaches. So I’ve had a lot of different guys come in from this angle or this angle and this sort of mindset. So some old school, some new school, some guys in between. So I think everybody kind of played a part in that. But yeah, like I said, I think also for me, it’s just more of the repetition. I taught myself some things as well and I think I was like a late bloomer, got hurt, got Tommy John. And so just trying to polish myself and kind of use all of each coach’s words and the way they taught pitching and just try to put it all together.

CPB – Tommy John surgery. What was that like going through that? I’m sure you probably got lots of advice but how were you able to get through that and get back to where you are now?

JC – Yeah, Tommy John was tough for me. I was feeling great after, you know, 13½, 14 months not pitching. And then I came back, I was feeling great. But yeah, super tedious process. It was brutal. You know, you see all your friends and teammates go out there and throw and they’re having fun. You want to get back into that. But I mean, I wouldn’t change anything. But yeah, after Tommy John, I was kind of was battling some shoulder issues, kind of went up and down. But you know, I’m finally at a spot, a really good point, to just continue to stay healthy and just having fun on the mound. But yeah, Tommy John was rough as I know it is for everybody else. But yeah, it teaches you a lot.

CPB – Pitching in Alex Box Stadium. How special was it for you to pitch with the LSU Tigers?

JC – Oh, it was great. And just being a part of a school like that. To have like the culture and the fans around, it was really awesome and I’ll forever be grateful for that. But yeah, it was just a lot of fun going and throwing in front of 30,000 people in the College World Series (in Omaha). I mean, nothing will beat that.

CPB – Cade Doughty, you knew him from LSU (teammates in 2021 and 2022). I’m sure once you arrived with the Blue Jays organization, you got a hold of each other. What did he tell you about being in the Toronto system?

JC – Yeah, he was just like, ’It’s a lot of fun, a lot of good guys, a lot of good coaches, the staff is great., you’ll enjoy it. Just have fun, man.’ You know, it’s pro ball, you only get one shot at this. So, you know, pedal to the metal, don’t let up and just do what you can and have fun at the end of the day. But yeah, it’s been great to know someone before going into the organization that someone’s already been here. He and I still talk and he gives me advice. So I love that guy a lot. And kudos to him.

CPB – And you know maybe another future Vancouver Canadian, Micah Bucknam. What was that like being teammates with him and now you’re back in the same organization?

JC – Yeah, at LSU, he was great. He’s one of my boys and we’re cool. We talked like I think the day after he signed and he was just asking me some questions just like I did with Cade. So that was cool to give my own advice to him. So yeah, it’s fun playing with guys or seeing guys come up through the pro process just like I did, that I already played with in college. So congrats to him and I’m excited to see him soon.

CPB – What is some of the advice you would give to someone getting introduced to pro ball?

JC – I mean for me, personally, like what I would give, the advice I gave to Micah was like, ‘Hey man, don’t change anything you’re doing. You had a great season, great player, a lot of talent. At the end of the day, it’s just a game, you know? Don’t overcomplicate it.’ Obviously, you’re now looked at as a pro baseball player, but at the end of the day, it’s still a game. Have fun, go out there, compete, and have fun. And that was just kind of like what he and I talked about, and I would just say that.

CPB – Now, you were drafted by the LA Dodgers, but you decided to return to school. Was it a big temptation to maybe decide to turn pro with the Dodgers?

JC – That was the season I was coming off Tommy John. I know I didn’t even pitch the first time until like almost three-quarters of the way, the season was over. Now, obviously, you look at a pro season, we play 140 games, and at school, you play, if you go all the way, you play 50, like 60. Just not having that much time and not being able to display what I can do was kind of like the bigger thing for me. I think I only ended up throwing like eight innings, eight or nine innings, so that was the bigger thing, I would say. But it wasn’t the hardest decision. I had the opportunity to play or sign a pro contract then, but I was like, ‘Hey, I’m gonna bet on myself and have a full season and let’s see what I can do.’ And now I’m here, so I wouldn’t change anything.

CPB – How did you wind up with the Toronto Blue Jays?

JC – Yeah, just pitching at school, the Toronto Blue Jays were actually scouting me out of high school. Chris Curtis at the time was the area scout, and I think he’s a (regional) cross-checker now, so high up. But now Steve Riha got a hold of me, and he was like, ‘Hey, we’re really interested in you.’ And then, you know, the draft goes by, and they call me, and they’re like, ‘Hey, we want to sign a deal with you.’ And long story short, I’m here.

CPB – I want to talk to you about your pitching repertoire. What is it that you’re throwing right now?

JC – I throw a four-seam fastball, a splitter, and a slider.

CPB – What would you say is your out pitch, and how would you rank them?

JC – I would go fastball as my number one pitch. I just love trying to throw it as hard as I can by someone, that always feels good. But then I would go from four-seam to a splitter, and then to my slider. I just feel like my splitter has been a little bit better than my slider right now, and so that’s kind of the order I would put them in.

CPB – Was the splitter something you had before you arrived at the Blue Jays, or is that something they taught you? Kevin Gausman is known for it. And of course, he’s a former LSU Tiger.

JC – Yeah, I didn’t throw a splitter until, I think, like halfway of this past offseason. Just kind of feeling with some pitches, I knew I had to come into spring training with something a little bit sharper, something a little bit more consistent, because that was something I was kind of struggling with coming off of Tommy John. So, I actually went to Tread (Tread Athletics), worked with Tread on some pitch design and pitch analysis and whatnot, and ended up just figuring out this splitter grip. And it has just been the most consistent off-speed pitch I’ve been able to throw, and I just was really comfortable with it, and I just stuck with it.

CPB – The slider, how did you develop that? Did someone teach you, or did you just figure it out yourself?

JC – A little bit of both. A guy that I played with at LSU my freshman year, Landon Marceaux, he’s with the Angels. Really good guy, really good pitcher as well. He showed me his slider grip my freshman year. I started throwing it, like, just randomly in catch-play one day after he showed it to me, and it’s been the same ever since. So, yeah, it’s just kind of how I got my slider.

CPB – How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? Do you have a philosophy or things you believe in, as far as when you’re out there on the mound?

JC – Yeah, I mean, on the mound, I’m just trying to compete and have as much fun as I can. I know I’m an elite competitor, and I trust my stuff and my preparation every day. So, I’m just going in there trying to have fun, and like I say, compete. Not necessarily a philosophy. I just believe that I’m better, and I just try to throw it over the white (home plate), and my best versus his best, and hopefully I’m on top.

CPB – How do you describe your delivery in terms of your arm angle, release point, mechanics, your arm action, that sort of thing?

JC – Yeah, I mean, I think I just try to get in my legs well, and it just kind of sets up where my arm is. I would say I’m a lower slot guy, so it helps my fastball gets a little deception. Looks like it carries up. I know my release height is at, like, about 5’5″, so it gives me a good angle to come at hitters from both the left and the right side. I would just say, like, a super athletic movement, and just super efficient, in my opinion.

CPB – The Player Development Complex (in Dunedin). You had a chance to sample all the bells and whistles. How would you say it’s helped you as a pitcher?

JC – You’re around a lot of good guys, and I think that’s kind of the biggest thing for me, is just when you’re aroundelite pitchers, elite players, and like I was saying at LSU, right, you know, you’re around all these guys, and you see how they move, and I think that’s what benefits me, you know, makes me want to go a little bit harder, a little bit harder each day, so I would say that.

CPB – I wanted to ask you as well, your start with Dunedin. You had a Pitcher of the Week Award and you also throw an immaculate inning. Nice way to start your pro career. What do you remember about those experiences?

JC – Man, you know, just like I said, going out there and competing, and just throwing, and just doing my thing, and not trying to think about too much, just out there having fun. That’s just my biggest thing. Try not to make it bigger than a game. And the Pitcher of the Week was awesome. Like I said, I was just out there, just pitching, having fun, trusting my defense and whatnot, and fortunately, I ended up striking out a good amount of guys, and in terms of my immaculate inning, I think I was just so locked in. I didn’t even know I threw an immaculate inning, I just knew I punched out the side. Right. And Phil Clarke, the catcher, great guy, great catcher as well. We came in the dugout, and he’s like, ‘Dude, do you realize what you just did?’ And I was like, ‘No, not really, what did I do?’ He goes, ‘Dude, you just threw an immaculate inning. And I was like, ‘Oh, did I really?’ So that was a lot of fun. Yeah, that was cool. That’s the first time I’ve ever done that. I’m obviously at the pro level, that’s even better, so it was a lot of fun.

CPB – I was wondering, maybe the batter might have decided to take a timeout when you’re about to throw pitch number nine?

JC – It was all blurry to me. I just didn’t even realize I did it honestly.

CPB – So you get promoted to Vancouver, how’d you find out about it?

JC – After our Tuesday game in Low-A, manager Gil (Gil Kim) just came in the locker room,. He was like, ‘Hey, Javen. Can you come to my office?’ My buddy Colby Martin at the time that came here, I know he only pitched here once. (Kim) is like, ‘Hey, your buddy Colby Martin just got traded (to the Miami Marlins)’. He and I are really good friends, love that guy to death. And (Kim) is like, ‘Hey, so congratulations, you’re getting promoted to Vancouver. Okay, let’s go.’ And that’s kind of how it happened. I left the next morning at 4.45 a.m.

CPB – What’s it been like pitching at Nat Bailey Stadium? I mean, the crowds are a wee bit bigger than Dunedin.

JC – Oh yeah, definitely coming from Dunedin to Vancouver has been definitely a new vibe, but then in terms of like the stadium, whatnot, yeah, definitely a lot more electric, and a lot more fun to play in front of fans, and the fans have been great. They’re always in tune, and know exactly what’s going on, and it seems like they’re right on top. It gives me a little bit of an Alex Box Stadium vibe, so that’s been a lot of fun to play in front of these guys.

CPB – Final couple of questions. Did you have a favourite Major League team growing up?

JC — Favourite Major League team would probably, just because I’m from the Dallas area, would be the Texas Rangers.

CPB – Did you have a favourite pitcher or player growing up?

JC – Yeah, my favourite player all time would be Josh Hamilton. Just loved the way he swung, loved the way he went about his stuff, so yeah, I would say Josh Hamilton.

CPB – My final question, the Canadians have lots of different uniforms—black, red, white, gray, blue— do you have a favourite?

JC – I’ve been here for just now a month, I know we’ve only worn them twice, but I love the blue with the red, white, and blue cap, those are my favourites. I like that a lot.

Javen Coleman File

Born – December 3, 2001, in Sherman, Texas
Height/Weight – 6-foot-2, 200 pounds
Bats/Throws – Left/Left
Professional Debut – April 4, 2025, for the Dunedin Blue Jays versus the Clearwater Threshers.
First Professional Strikeout – April, 4, 2025, for Dunedin vs. Clearwater. Struck out Joel Dragoo.
First Professional Win – April 9, 2025, for Dunedin at the Jupiter Hammerheads. Pitched 2.1 perfect innings with five strikeouts and stranded two runners.
First Professional Save – April 22, 2025, for Dunedin at the Tampa Tarponts. Tossed two shutout frames with one strikeout
C’s Debut – June 28, 2025, against the Tri-City Dust Devils. Struck out four over two shutout stanzas.
First C’s Save – July 31, 2025, at Tri-City. Allowed one run and struck out four over two innings.
Uniform Numbers – Wore number 49 with the Louisiana State University Tigers from 2021-2024. Wore number 25 for the Dunedin Blue Jays in 2025.
Mound Music – “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac.
Instagram – @jcole.49
Twitter – @JavenColeman1
Now You Know – Coleman won his collegiate debut with 3⅔ innings of one-run ball and seven strikeouts against Louisiana Tech on February 22, 2021.