Baby Jay of the Month: Josh Banks

by Marc Hulet

Baby Jay of the Month for April: Josh Banks, New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Runner up for Baby Jay of the Month: Casey Janssen, Lansing Lugnuts

New Hampshire Fisher Cat’s right-handed starting pitcher Josh Banks was named BlueJayWay.ca’s Baby Jay of the Month for April.
Banks won the award after posting a 4-0 record, with a 2.05 ERA in 30.6 innings. He allowed 22 hits, while striking out 25 and walking only two batters. Opposing batters hit .204 against him.
Banks was drafted out of Florida International University in the second round of the 2003 amateur draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Once considered a possible first round pick, he came down with a blister problem, which allowed the Jays to nab him with their second round pick.
He features a five-pitch repertoire that includes a 90-94 mph fastball, a slider, curveball, change-up and a plus splitter, which serves as his out pitch.
Banks, 22, told BlueJayWay.ca that command and consistency are the keys to his success.
"My strengths, I would say, are that I can throw five pitches for strikes and have pretty good command," he said. "(I have to) be consistent with my delivery as much as I can and with all my pitches."
Banks said he was not overly surprised by his success early this season because he worked diligently in spring training to improve his craft.
"I worked real hard in spring training on some minor mechanics and I think it has paid off so far," he said.
Upon signing with the Blue Jays, Banks had no problems dominating the short season New York Penn League as a member of the Auburn DoubleDays. He went 7-2 with a 2.43 ERA. Banks also racked up 81 strike outs in 67 innings and walked only 10 batters.
The next season he skipped a level and pitched for Dunedin in the Florida State League where he dominated with a 1.80 ERA in 60 innings.
He was then promoted to New Hampshire of the Eastern League where he struggled over an extended period for the first time in his pro career. In 91 innings, Banks posted a 5.03 ERA, while giving up 15 home runs.
His main problem came from elevating his pitches too much.
"Throwing a two-seam fastball and working on keeping the ball down for me is big," he said, adding that there are some differences between pitching to double-A hitters and single-A hitters.
"(You) can’t make as many mistakes and when you do they get hit."
Banks, who lives in Arnold, Maryland, grew up watching the Baltimore Orioles and his favourite pitcher Mike Mussina.


*A special thanks to Josh Banks for answering BlueJayWay.ca’s questions and also to John Zahr, media relations for the Fisher Cats, for helping to arrange everything.