Jordy Templet, from Gonzales, who just celebrated his 23rd birthday, was called up to Double AA ball with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats early last month. Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 19th round of the 2003 Amateur Draft, he had been with the Charleston Alley Cats of the South Atlantic League.

"It was a great experience, I got to pitch, and Rick Adair, the pitching coach, said he liked what he saw," said Templet, a former St. Amant High standout.

On Aug. 12, he pitched two innings and had two strikeouts.

Now, he heads to the Dunedin Blue Jays, Class A advanced in the Florida State League.

The organization must like what they see, as Dunedin is a step above Charleston.

Ken Joyce, Alley Cats manager thinks so.

"He's doing okay, he's learning about pitching and changing speeds. He needs to just keep throwing the ball over the plate and throw strikes," Joyce said.

Managers will tell you, wins are nice, but the minor leagues are for developing players.

Templet says the year has gone pretty well.

"I went to extended spring training, which helped, and my fastball is good. I just need to make my change-up more consistent," Templet said.

He also added that he thought he had achieved his personal goals, as the season starts to wind down. "Continue to push myself, work hard, and show more concentration on the mound," Templet said.

Coach Tony Robichaux, his baseball coach at the University of Louisiana, watched Templet push himself and work hard.

"He was a great kid with a great passion for the game. He matured every year as a person and a player. He was the total package. He was never in trouble and was physically and mentally strong. He was a special player. He made a difference," said the coach.

With 560 wins and three coach of the year awards in 17 years, Robichaux knows a little about talent.

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The Ascension Citizen
By Robert Bourbon