The Sleeper: Jason Donald Interview

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Cleveland Indians minor-leaguer Jason Donald says injuries are behind him: D-Man's World

By Dennis Manoloff

January 22, 2010, 8:00AM

View full sizeRob Kandel / TMCIndians infielder Jason Donald hit .236 in 51 games with the Phillies’ Class¤AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in 2009.

Infielder Jason Donald is one of the four prospects acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Cliff Lee trade in July 2009.

Last year, Donald played in just 70 games because of injury. He batted .236 in 51 games for the Phillies' Class AAA affiliate, Lehigh Valley, Pa., and .257 in 10 games for the Indians' Class AAA affiliate, Columbus. He rehabbed for nine games with the Gulf Coast League Phillies (.231).

Donald, 25, is a career .285 hitter in 359 minor-league games.

A natural shortstop, Donald has played second and third. Baseball America rated him the best defensive infielder in the Cleveland farm system entering this season.

Donald, a third-round pick of the Phillies in 2006 out of Arizona, recently allowed for a peek into his world when he was in Cleveland for the Indians' winter development program.

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DM: You had left-knee, then lower-back trouble last year. How is your health entering spring training?
JD: I'm 100 percent. Knee's fine, back's fine, everything's fine. I can't wait to get started. I'd never had injury problems, so it was kind of a shock. I think the back was my body telling me I needed some time off. I got it, and now I feel as good as I've felt in several years.

DM: How do you view being part of such a huge trade?
JD: It's a tremendous honor. Cliff Lee is a great pitcher. I know people talk about the pressure that comes with being involved in such a big deal, but I think it's excitement more than pressure.

DM: Favorite food?
JD: I love all food, but Mexican is at the top of the list.

DM: Specifically?
JD: I'm from California, so tacos and breakfast burritos are probably my two favorites. There are a couple of Mexican places where I'm from; Bobby Salazar's in Clovis, Calif., is the best.

DM: Do you ever go to Taco Bell for fourth meal?
JD: No. No, I don't.

DM: Favorite junk food?
JD: My neighbor makes a mean Oreo ball. It's something you'd have to see to believe. The filling part is on the outside and there's gooey Oreo in the middle. It's big. You can only eat one every now and again.

DM: You were a multisport athlete, including a standout quarterback as a senior, at Buchanan High School in Clovis. What was your finest hour on the football field?
JD: As a senior, I caught a TD pass, threw a TD pass and rushed for a TD in a game. And, I think I kicked a couple of field goals. But it didn't matter because we ended up losing.

DM: Why did you not follow through with football?
JD: The recruiting wasn't anything like it was with baseball. In the end, a big-time school doesn't want a 6-1, slow guy playing football for it.

DM: Favorite football player?
JD: Brett Favre, definitely.

DM: Baseball player?
JD: Chase Utley.

DM: Wildest thing you've ever witnessed on a baseball field?
JD: When I played in the Arizona Fall League in 2008, we beat a team by a ton -- I want to say 26-2 or 28-2. The team we beat had some Indians prospects on it.

DM: Smartest person you've ever met?
JD: Bill LaPoint, my host dad in the Cape Cod League.

DM: How many years did you play in the Cape Cod League? With which club? Best part?
JD: Two. With Cotuit. The people and the atmosphere are awesome. You read and hear about the atmosphere, but you can't really appreciate the atmosphere until you experience it.

DM: Did you ever see legendary journalist and New Englander Peter Gammons at games?
JD: Yes.

DM: Have you ever seen the Cape Cod League-inspired flick, "Summer Catch," starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jessica Biel?
JD: Uh, yes. That movie is not even close to reality.

DM: I take it you didn't like it?
JD: Correct. I saw the movie before I went to the Cape, and I saw it after. I can't watch it anymore.

DM: Favorite things to do away from the field?
JD: Spending time with family, going to church, watching movies, working out. I keep it pretty simple.

DM: Favorite movie?
JD: "Field of Dreams."

DM: Are you bothered that Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe Jackson batted right-handed?
JD: I watched the special features and didn't notice it. Even though I know the mistake was made, I've chosen to look past it. I like the rest of the movie too much.

http://www.cleveland.com/dman/index.ssf/2010/01/cleveland_indians_minor-league.html

The kid was a top 2-3 prospect in the Philly system before the injuries. Hopefully health brings back the bat. Out of Valbuena and Donald, we should have our 2nd baseman of the future.

This interview needed more baseball talk though.

 

[DougHeil]

I don't see Donald as a starter for the Indians anytime soon. Our infield is VERY young as it is and I don't see Donald ever beating out Valbuena. He would be developed real well and then will be traded off to a team who will need him. He won't be satisfied with a utility role with the Indians and besides, a utility guy can always be found somewhere. We have signed two of them in the last two weeks. Being 25 means he's older than our two current middle infielders, and lots older than Chisenhall.

 

[AZ_]

I think this guy could turn into the next Mark DeRosa, they have a similar upbringing.

Donald has more power than Dero did at the same age, and but both came up as a shortstop and turned into utility players as they grew too big for the position.

If he can turn out a similar career, I'd be happy.

Solid player to have, and I think he should learn some outfield spots as well.

 

[macbdog]

Mark DeRosa... not a bad comp. I kind of like it.

Although the red cleats with the blue jersey? This definitely raises questions. These are probably cleats he had from spring training with the big club, but still- not only bad fashion sense, but seeing as his #s sucked they were probably bad luck. Either way, he should have known better...