October 6, 2019

By Lukas Weese

Canadian Baseball Network

As the crowd was slowly filing into Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of the American League Division Series, a familiar pitcher was practicing earlier than most.

LHP James Paxton (Ladner, BC) the New York Yankees Game 1 starter, was in the bullpen conducting his pregame warm up routine before his playoff debut against the Minnesota Twins.

Paxton uses the time before his starts to get his frame of mind and intensity levels ready for the first pitch. The magnitude of competing in the posts eason for the first time did not escape the 30-year-old, who went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA on the season. Stepping out onto the mound in front of a raucous home crowd, the dream moment had finally arrived for the Canadian pitcher.

After spending his entire career with the Seattle Mariners, Paxton had the chance to carry on the legacy of the legendary Yankees pitchers that have come before him.

"This is a team that commits itself to winning and making it to the postseason every year,” said Paxton to reporters before Game 1. "That's a dream for all baseball players when we're young, is to pitch in the postseason. To get the opportunity and the chance to go out there and do this, I feel pretty lucky.”

Before beginning his pro career, Paxton honed his skills with the B.C. Premier Baseball League’s North Delta Blue Jays from 2004 to 2006. Ari Mellios, Paxton’s coach during those formative years, recalls the big lefty’s aptitude and eagerness at an early age.

“James was such a student of the game, even as a teenager” said Mellios. “He wanted to learn so much about the game. When we finished practice, he would go practice some more. That’s how committed he was to his craft.”

Paxton’s passion for the sport was evident and his willingness to learn from his coaches inspired his teammates to do the same. Whenever the North Delta coaches were working with catchers, Paxton would be there to receive and compartmentalize the knowledge. Most teenage players are looking to hone and develop one particular facet of the game that can pave the way for a collegiate athletic scholarship. For Paxton, he arrived to the Jays with foundational arm strength and raw talent, clocking his fastball at 85 mph as a 15 year old. Add 15 years and a stronger frame and you see the Paxton that’s now throwing his fastball at 98-100 mph.

“When Paxton came to play for us, he already had a heavier frame for his age,” said North Delta Blue Jays coach Bob Burkmar. “Playing with fellow teammates Justin Morneau and Jeff Francis really helped James engrain the work ethic that he applied with North Delta and now in the major leagues.”

While the upside potential was high for Paxton, translating it to consistent, quality starts did not come so easy. In his first year with the Blue Jays in Grade 10, Paxton would have difficulty finding the strike zone and struggled to harness his command. Eyebrows were raised amongs fans of North Delta whenever Burkmar decided to put Paxton out for more innings.

The adversity moulded a pitcher in Paxton with tremendous fortitude. He was not afraid to put the necessary work in at the gym. He also welcomed advice from Blue Jays pitching guru, Dave Empey, who helped him add a two-seam fastball and curveball into his arsenal of pitches.

Perhaps the biggest key to Paxton’s success has been his composure. Maintaining the competitive spirit while having the same facial expression throughout the game. It all fuelled Paxton to being selected as the pitcher of the year in the Premier League at 16, as well as pitching for the Canadian Junior National Team.

“You wouldn’t know if Paxton’s team was winning 10-0 or losing 10-0,” said Mellios. “At 16, 17 and 18, he was so mentally tough and exuded a poker face that signalled to other teams that he would never get phased out on the mound.”

According to Burkmar, Paxton would often pitch his best when expectations for his team were not that high. In a tournament located in Portland, Ore., that the North Delta Blue Jays would compete in for five years in a row, Paxton took on a California team that was the best coach Burkmar had ever seen.

But when Paxton stepped onto the mound, his level of play elevated. He often struck out at least two players every inning, thriving on the competition and the crowd being against his team.

“After the game, the California coach came up to us and said that Paxton was the best pitcher he ever saw,” said Burkmar. “James represented us so well, and if we didn’t have him on the field, we wouldn’t have received an invite every year to play in California.”

Paxton would continue to exhibit his composure when he committed to the University of Kentucky. Led by coach Gary Henderson, the Wildcats had a proven track record of recruiting and enhancing the skills of top Canadian baseball talent. Taking on fellow SEC rival LSU, Henderson recalls how Paxton rose to the occasion, with a plethora of scouts in attendance to watch.

“Paxton struck out 15 LSU batters in that game,” said Henderson. “He possessed the intangible characteristics to pitch in big games. James did the things he needed to do, from transforming his body to conducting himself in between starts, to make him our pitcher that we could count on.”

The same Paxton, who wowed in British Columbia and in the NCAA with his pitching skills, would bring fans to their feet in Yankee Stadium during the postseason. Despite giving up three earned runs in his playoff debut against the Twins, Paxton struck out eight batters in 4 2/3 innings for a no decision. It was a solid performance, and the Yankees’ bullpen took over and gave up just one run the rest of the contest, while the Bombers’ offence came alive to take the game 10-4.

With the Yankees up 2-0 and on the precipice of reaching the American League Championship Series, more opportunities will come for Paxton to showcase his arm strength in the postseason.

The success of Paxton is not by accident but rather the exclamation mark on a decade of baseball growth in British Columbia. In a province dominated by hockey, more young kids are starting to participate in British Columbia’s Premier League. With 26 players representing British Columbia at this year’s Tournament 12 showcase, it demonstrates the rapid belief that getting to the big leagues may not be that much of a long shot.

“Kids living in British Columbia now see the success stories of Jeff Francis, Larry Walker and now James, and say to themselves, ‘I can be the next James Paxton,’” said Mellios. “It gives them the belief that with hard work and dedication, there is a chance to achieve the major league dream.”

In his quest for his first World Series championship and the Yankees’ 28th, Paxton will not change the fundamental routines that have enabled his success. The emotional steadiness, inherited from his parents, Barbara and Ted, will be apparent as the postseason continues.

Paxton will continue to demonstrate his willingness to get better before and after the games, well beyond when the final out is recorded. Canada’s top left-hander is always learning, forever embracing the next challenge that comes his way with a zealous passion.