Scott Richmond hurls aces in triple-A

Pitcher Jesse Litsch and outfielder Adam Lind are just two Blue Jays who worked their way back to the team this season following a stint with triple-A Syracuse.

Shaun Marcum and Brian Wolfe likely would be among a group of players Toronto fans would like to see back for the stretch drive.

But Canadian Scott Richmond probably is the sentimental choice after the right-hander's Beijing Olympic hopes were dashed when he was summoned from the Chiefs on July 28, three days before Team Canada had to finalize its roster.

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi was non-committal about the North Vancouver native getting the call Sept. 1 when major-league teams are allowed to expand their rosters to 40 players.

But Richmond is making a strong case for a promotion, less than two weeks after Ricciardi sent the 28-year-old back to the minors.

Making his second start since returning to the Chiefs, Richmond limited the visiting Rochester Red Wings to three runs (all earned) on seven hits for his first triple-A victory, a 5-3 decision on Sunday.

"I know I have some stuff to work on," Richmond told CBCSports.ca recently. "I need to work on certain pitches to get [left-handed hitters] out.

"I know I need to work on my changeup. I know I need to work on my two-seam fastball location ahead in the count. That's what I plan on doing [at triple-A]."

Whatever Richmond is doing is working well. He limited the Pawtucket Red Sox to one earned run in five innings in a no-decision on Aug. 19 and boasts a 2.66 earned-run average and 39 strikeouts in 44 innings in his first season at triple-A.

Grateful for opportunity

While many Canadians were furious when Ricciardi recalled Richmond from triple-A just days before the national team was to depart for the Summer Olympics, the hurler stressed he harbours no ill will towards the Blue Jays organization.

"There's a lot of baseball players out there that never get to make it [to the big leagues]," said Richmond, who was signed by Toronto as a minor-league free agent before this season.

"It would have been nice to have been an Olympian but it wasn't in the cards, and being a major-league baseball player was. That's a childhood dream coming true, so I can't be upset either way.

'He put himself on the map — came out of nowhere, really.' —Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi

"I think it was a good career move," Richmond added. "It's good to get my feet wet [in the majors] and show the organization who I am. To even have the opportunity to [pitch for the Blue Jays] in my first six months in the organization [is exciting]."

Just a few months ago, Richmond had a 10-9 win-loss record and 4.26 earned-run average with the Edmonton Cracker Cats of the independent Northern League.

"I had been there for three years and all the friends I had were so happy for me," Richmond said, referring to his joining the Blue Jays. "I still talk to my buddies in that league and they're like, 'You've given us all hope to make it [to the next level]. You were just here and look where you are now?' It was good to hear."

Richmond's path to the majors began long before Edmonton, however.

He didn't play baseball in high school or for three years thereafter, instead working in Vancouver shipyards.

But the itch to be on the diamond didn't subside, so Richmond joined summer leagues and eventually a wooden-bat loop in Moose Jaw, Sask.

Long path to majors

In 2001, he moved to the United States and played for two different colleges before settling with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

But Richmond encountered visa problems and wasn't allowed to work, forcing him back to Canada and the Northern League.

"Getting to the big leagues was the hardest part," he said. "Just being in Edmonton was pretty rough because you're thinking, 'How many years am I going to play independent ball and not get a chance [to crack a major-league roster]."

Richmond then signed with Toronto and began the 2008 season at double-A New Hampshire, where he went 5-8 with a 4.95 ERA. Before joining the Blue Jays, he sported a 2.53 ERA in five starts with Syracuse and held opponents to a .210 average.

On July 30, Richmond made his major-league debut against the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming the 14th Canadian-born player to suit up for the Blue Jays.

Pitching before a Rogers Centre crowd of 40,322 that included his parents, stepdad, brother and grandparents, Richmond allowed three runs and seven hits, and left the game with one out in the sixth and Toronto trailing 3-2.

'Wasn't trying to soak it up' against Rays

Richmond said having his Canadian national teammates on hand and fanning AL rookie-of-the-year favourite Evan Longoria for his first strikeout were memorable moments.

"When I was out there I wasn't trying to soak it up because I was focused on pitching," said Richmond, who threw 54 of his 92 pitches for strikes. "But once it was over and I had a standing ovation, I tipped my hat and showed appreciation to the fans, my family and Team Canada. That's when you can really soak it in."

Richmond made two more starts against Oakland and Cleveland, yielding three earned runs to both clubs and impressing Ricciardi in the process.

"He put himself on the map — came out of nowhere, really," said the GM. "Going forward, he's definitely in our plans."

It's now up to Richmond to outperform Marcum and Wolfe, and force the Blue Jays' hand.