Former HarbourCat Lewis signs with MLB’s Rockies

A.J. Lewis conducted a Zoom chat session this summer with the aspiring young aspirants in the Victoria HarbourCats Players’ Club, a developmental baseball academy program.

If you want a role model, this is the guy.

Lewis, who came to play for the HarbourCats of the West Coast League without a real position in 2018, was turned into a catcher by assistant coach Curtis Pelletier and then head-coach and former major-leaguer Brian McRae. It led to Lewis being signed to a minor-league pro contract this week by the Colorado Rockies of MLB.

“It was pretty cool to talk to the kids in Victoria on Zoom,” Lewis said.

“I told them to work hard, even when it doesn’t look like it will happen for you, and that good things can come from that.” They certainly did for Lewis.

Pelletier, who conducts the HarbourCats Players’ Club, said: “A.J. was just a sponge and willing to learn.

“When he got here, he practically lived in the bullpen, asking everybody questions.

“He played infield and outfield, and could hit and also run. Then [McRae] said: ‘Let’s try A.J. behind the dish.’ ”

Lewis, who was undrafted, found his calling as a catcher on the Island, making his time with the HarbourCats short but vital.

“I was put in as catcher in Victoria and never looked back,” he said.

Lewis went from the WCL to the similar summer-collegiate Cape Cod League the following season in 2019 and became an all-American and nominee for NCAA catcher of the year while at Eastern Kentucky University.

“A.J. has a pro mindset in that he never gives up,” Pelletier said.

“It’s a real cool story and I tell my young players in the camp about him all the time. He’s a real humble guy. Any coach would wish they had a team full of A.J. Lewis-type players.”

Lewis is just the sort of example Pelletier likes to point to as he puts his youngsters through their paces at Central Park. There are 60 players in the program, who are practising drills in small groups of six to 10, under the current provincial return-to-play guidelines.

“COVID has made things difficult, with no organized play this summer, but these kids are hungry for baseball,” said Pelletier.

Lewis, too, will have to bide his time. While the parent Rockies are playing in the MLB, minor-pro baseball has been shut down this season due to the pandemic.

“You have to keep practising, finding opportunities for live at-bats, and be ready to go whenever the time comes,” he said.