Ysleta pitcher Justin Maese drafted by Toronto Blue Jays

Ysleta High School pitcher Justin Maese has been drafted in Major League Baseball’s 3rd round by the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday morning.

The Blue Jays drafted pitchers with their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks.

Some of what Toronto Blue Jays official website says about Ysleta’s Justin Maese

According to the official Toronto Blue Jays website, “Maese is another example of a pitcher who moved up the Draft boards this year after experiencing an increase in velocity. Scouts had him hitting 96 mph with his fastball and 86 mph on his slider, but he often had trouble maintaining that velocity deep into games.”

According to his scouting report on MLB.com, Maese typically works in the 88-92 mph range, but at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, there is room to grow, and that could lead to sustained higher velocities over the next few years.

“Maese also was a standout quarterback and he has a commitment to Texas Tech this fall. The 91st overall pick comes with a recommended slot value of $636,400, and Toronto has a total pool of $5,411,000 for the first 10 rounds of the Draft,” according to the Blue Jays website. “The 18-year-old Maese struck out 156 batters as a junior and was named to the Louisville Slugger High School All-America First Team. In his senior year, Maese had 81 strikeouts and recently led his Indians team through a run in the playoffs.”

Maese grew up playing baseball at Capistrano Park in El Paso’s Lower Valley. As he tossed the ball around with his father a few days ago, he couldn’t help but marvel at his journey.

“I still picture myself coming out here and practicing,” Maese says. “It’s amazing, this process I’ve gone through.”

Maese’s fastball has been clocked at 96 miles per hour. His mechanics have major league scouts salivating. He already has a scholarship to Texas Tech. He gives his coach, his dad, a lot of credit. Sometimes Carlos Maese was tough, but Justin says it was for the best.

“Growing up, he really pushed me and I’m glad I never gave up because I know a lot of kids who did because of how he coached but he got me to where I’m at and I’m happy with that.”

Watch ABC-7’s feature on Maese from a few days ago at http://bit.ly/1FHf7R7