J.A Happ Interview

Scouts drool over them. General Managers open up their pocket books for them. Managers dream of them. Opposing managers cringe at the mere mention of them. They are the tall lanky left handed pitchers who throw mid 90’s heat, snap off curve balls and/or sliders and frustrate opposing batters with a barely get there change up. It’s probably no coincidence that the number one pitcher in baseball, Johan Santana relies on numbers one and three. It’s probably no coincidence that Hall of Fame lefties Sandy Koufax and Steve Carlton embarrassed big league hitters for years and future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson continues to make big league hitters weak in the knees.

But to compare a 24 year old Triple A rookie to those legends simply isn’t fair. How could anyone live up to that type of hype and pressure-the pressure from the media to throw a perfect game and strike out twenty seven batters each and every time out when your stuff is that good? Suffice it to say that Lynx rookie six foot six two hundred pound lefthander J.A., (James Anthony), Happ has had seemingly little trouble with Triple A hitters up to this point in the season.

“I’ve had success so far this season. Jason, (Lynx rookie catcher Jason Jaramillo), and I have played together at different levels and know each other pretty well. Sometimes I’m gripping the ball before he even puts down the sign and it’s the right one,” explained Happ. “He’s been a big help to me, getting me through tough spots and having confidence in me.”

Manager John Russell added, “It’s his first year in Triple A so we have him on a pretty strict pitch count. With the bad weather earlier in the season we’re only now getting him stretched out but he’s constantly learning what it takes to succeed at this level.”

Each higher level has been a learning experience for this native of small town Illinois, (born in Spring Valley), and making adjustments during the game is important but sometimes going with his instincts and what is working can be the better option.

“We go over the opposing hitters before the game and although it would be foolish to not consider the scouting reports, but sometimes I like to go with my gut feeling.”

It can also depend on what is working that day and what seems effective on the warm up mound. In Happ’s case, what’s working warming up often doesn’t seem to be the case out on the mound.

“That happens so often that I’m getting superstitious about it. I’d almost rather have nothing getting loose in the pen,” offered Happ.

Happ resides in Peru, Illinois, a small town outside of Chicago so the question of Cubs or Whitesox was an obvious one.”Definitely Cubs. If you’re a baseball fan in the Chicago area you are either a Cubs fan or a Whitesox fan,” he replied with a smile. “I’ve always followed the Cubs.

After high school Happ attended Northwestern University and after graduation was a third round pick in the June 2004 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, a day he will never forget.

“That was an incredibly exciting day-getting drafted. It’s a day I’ll never forget. A dream come true. Pro baseball so far has been as much fun and as much of a constant challenge as I thought it would be.”

More and more teams are drafting from the college ranks in baseball feeling that the players are older and more experienced having been way from home for a few years. “It’s a relatively small university of about 7,000 students but they have a great baseball program. I learned a lot from the coaches and the competition. It really helped me when I started off in the minors. It was a great experience.”

He has moved quickly through the Phillies system-pitching for the Phillies of the Florida State League and then last year in Reading with one start with Triple A Scranton. He has been averaging just more than a strikeout per inning throughout his minor league career, (this season he has 31 strikeouts in 27 IP after five starts.), a sign that he has that good fastball throughout his career.

“The fastball is definitely my out pitch, my get out of a jam pitch but my change up is getting there. You’re always working on something to give you an edge-always making adjustments as the hitters make adjustments to you. You can’t get away with only one pitch up here. These guys, (Triple A hitters), are smart and adjust quick.”

Away from the field Happ likes to watch sports, listen to music and play guitar. He’s hoping for that phone call from the Phillies but until then tries to improve and enjoy his time here.

“I have to keep getting better and if I continue to have success that call will come one day but it’s not something I worry about or even think about too much. I have a job to do here, to help my team win.”

Toughest hitter you’ve faced in Triple A so far? “Oh, I’m not going to answer that one,” he smiled. “They’re all tough.” Thus far, J.A. Happ doesn’t seem to be having much trouble with any of the hitters.