Central Michigan University Athletics
Pleiness Ready For Challenges Of Professional Baseball
June 5, 2002
By Dan Mazei, sports information assistant
Honors, records and fanfare may be the standards of success for many athletes, but for others they are just the beginning.
Former Central Michigan University pitching standout Chad Pleiness was selected in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday by the Toronto Blue Jays, the first big step towards the next level of his career.
"I feel great about being drafted this high," Pleiness said. "Once we get through the negotiations, I can get a chance to play." The Blue Jays selected Pleiness with the 146th overall pick, but it was no surprise to him that he would be wearing the blue and white.
"There was a lot of talk last summer about Toronto," Pleiness said. "Guys came to watch me throughout the year, and one guy who is somewhat higher up in the organization saw me several times. We had good conversations.
"This is a good situation. I've heard nothing but good things about the organization and about the city."
Although Pleiness was drafted by Toronto, he will likely enter professional baseball via the Auburn (N.Y.) Doubledays, a minor league affiliate for the Blue Jays operating out of the New York-Penn League.
"Most draftees start out here. Luckily, I'm going to be somewhere not far from my family," Pleiness said. "I should be able to make a little money to set aside as well."
Pleiness sees many other advantages to making the gradual transition from amateur to professional ball.
"I've heard the big difference between various levels of baseball is maturity. I played four years of college baseball," Pleiness said. "When I started, I was raw- not much coaching. I did a lot of learning and I was able to add control. I matured so much over that time.
"I have to be prepared mentally and physically. The experiences I've had have helped me mature mentally, but I have to make some adjustments physically. The coaches know what's best, and, hopefully, I'll have someone work with me more.
"I need to get my change-up more consistent and gain some speed on my fastball. If I can get it about three miles per hour faster, I'll be in good shape. Most importantly, I'm going to continue to work hard, no matter what."
Pleiness, who started all 11 games he appeared in last season, feels the Blue Jays organization may keep him as a starter, which will dictate the manner in which he is prepared.
"I need to monitor everything. I'll try to keep my arm fresh, stay healthy and protect myself from injury," he said. "Hopefully, I'll move up as quickly as possible."
Dave Keilitz, a former CMU coach and player who has been involved with Chippewa baseball since the early 1960s, feels that Pleiness has a strong chance of doing just that.
"I feel that certain guys are capable of making it in the majors," Keilitz said. "Chad is one of those guys."
Like Pleiness, Keilitz believes that mental strength is a crucial part of the game, and it is perhaps that strength that made Pleiness so alluring to the Blue Jays.
"The main reason they watched him play in all of those baseball and basketball games and the main reason they visited with him is that he is an outstanding competitor mentally," Keilitz said. "There's going to be ups and downs in the future, but he'll overcome those. Chad has that type of makeup. He is just extremely mentally tough."
Keilitz also feels that Pleiness' raw physical talent will be an advantage at the next level.
"Chad has a strong, live arm and a great body for strength and endurance," Keilitz said. "His mechanics will iron out with experience, and that will come easy to him. He's already made huge strides in the last two years as a pitcher. He will only continue to get better.
"I've seen lots of good (pitchers). Guys like Kevin Tapani, Ray Soff and Chris Knapp. Kids I coached have made it. At times, Chad is as dominant as any of them. He has everything it takes to be a major leaguer."
In Pleiness' four years at CMU, he established himself as one of the most effective pitchers in the nation. He was a first team All-MAC selection in 2002 after establishing career highs and leading the Chippewas in strikeouts, complete games, shutouts and opponents' batting average. And, through May 26, he was the nation's leader in strikeouts per nine innings with 13.2.
Despite all of these accomplishments, he manages to keep a practical outlook on everything.
"I hope that I'll be playing in the majors soon," he said. "If I develop in the right way, steer clear of injuries and keep all of my time focused on baseball, there's no telling how far things will go. It depends on what Toronto is looking at.
"I would love to pursue baseball for years. I still have an internship to fulfill for graduation, and if I'm able to do that with the team I'm playing for, I might be able to get my foot in the door. It would be great to eventually work in the front office of a major sports franchise."
The bulk of Chad Pleiness' life has revolved around sport, yet he finds himself starting all over as if it were new. The draft has moved him to the next level- a new beginning that he eagerly anticipates. He has received accolades for his many accomplishments, but his career as a professional may open the door for his greatest successes of all.