Ashman Signed by Toronto
July 17, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Macon Music News Release
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - Music pitcher Ross Stout was paying close attention to this summer's MLB amateur draft. When he saw Oral Robert's pitcher, Chris Ashman, go undrafted, he told Macon manager, Phil Plantier.
"I told (Phil), this guy can pitch and he would help the team," said Stout.
Ross and Chris have known each other since high school growing up in the same part of California, but this would be the first chance they had to play on the same team.
However, Ashman's stay with the Music would be a short one, because Monday morning the Toronto Blue Jays purchased his South Coast League contract and are assigning him to one of the minor league affiliates.
"I'm speechless right now. It's a huge opportunity. It's been God's favor to let me get this far and now I'm running with it," said Ashman.
Ashman only made three starts with the Macon Music, but has been impressive going 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA while walking 2 and striking out 18 in 16 innings of work. He also tied a franchise record with 10 strike outs in one game. The person who held the record? It was his roommate Ross Stout.
"It's an awesome thing to have my name next to Ross Stout's," Ashman jokes.
Stout is happy for his teammate and has quite a bit of confidence in him.
"Chris will do just fine in affiliated ball," said Stout, "he knows what he is doing."
Chris is to report to Dunedin, FL on Thursday where he will join the Dunedin Blue Jays, a single A affiliate in the Florida State League. It was a brief stay with the Music, but he picked up a lot.
"(I've been) getting in tune to what professional ball is all about. We have a lot of experience for guys who have been all the way to The Show, AAA, AA, and A ball. I have learned a lot from these guys."
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South Coast League Stories from July 17, 2007
- Redfish, Music Rained Out - Charlotte County Redfish
- Homers Power Peanuts - Aiken Foxhounds
- Joes, Juice Rained Out - Anderson Joes
- Luther Williams Field is Goin' to the Dogs - Macon Music
- SCL Transaction List - SCL
- Ashman Signed by Toronto - Macon Music
- Juice Win Another Series Over Joes - Bradenton Juice
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