Tice working toward joining his cousin in major leagues

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a long way from Prairie Grove but Ty Tice is doing his best to get there.

He left the scenic route early and is now on the fast track after being selected as a pitcher in the 16th round by the Blue Jays in 2017.

Tice made his professional debut with Toronto in a rookie league at Bluefield, W. Va. He then made brief stops at Class A Lansing, Mich., Class A-advanced Dunedin, Fla., and Class Double-AA Manchester, N.H., before spending most of the 2019 season with Toronto’s Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y.

That’s an impressive climb for a player who was selected with the 489th pick in the 2017 draft from Central Arkansas, where he turned pro after his junior year. Tice began this season in Double-A before his promotion to Buffalo, where he was 2-1 with a 3.27 ERA and four saves in 57 innings. He struck out 41 and walked 21.

“Ty has always had the tools to make it,” said Mitch Cameron, who coached Tice at Prairie Grove High School. “The best part about Ty has been watching him grow, mentally, and mature as a pitcher. He was always one to wear emotions on his sleeve, but he has shown how to control those emotions in a way to dominate on the mound.”

Tice did not get the call to the majors when roster expanded in September. But he is hopeful he’ll join the Blue Jays for spring training in Florida in 2020.

“It really didn’t bother me that I didn’t get called up,” said Tice, who is back in Northwest Arkansas and searching for a home with his wife, Katelyn, formerly of Rogers. “It just motivates me even more. I made strides but I need to get better. I need to be more consistent and not walked as many batters.”

Tice was selected on the same day as Tyler Gray (Fort Smith Southside), his teammate at Central Arkansas who pitched this season at Class A Lexington (Ky.) in the Kansas City Royals organization. Jonathan Davis (Camden), another former UCA player, spent much of the season with Tice at Triple-A Buffalo after being drafted by the Blue Jays in 2013. Davis played in 35 games this year with the Blue Jays.

Tice wouldn’t be the first player from Prairie Grove to make it to the major leagues if he gets the call. Jalen Beeks, his first cousin, made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox in a televised game against the New York Yankees last season. Beeks was traded later to Tampa Bay, where he is 6-3 this season with a 4.30 ERA.

Logan Gragg, another Prairie Grove product, signed with St. Louis and pitched in the Cardinals’ Class A affiliate at Peoria, Ill., this year.

“It is pretty remarkable to think that Prairie Grove has the opportunity to have two big league baseball players,” Cameron said, “and even have another in Logan Gragg in Single A. I feel very blessed that I have had the opportunity to coach all of them. They have been a big part of the success of Prairie Grove baseball.”

Tampa Bay clinched a wild card berth with a 6-2 victory over Toronto on Saturday. That means Tice could see his cousin working in relief for the Rays, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

“Jalen and I stay in touch quite a bit,” Tice said. “I can text him anytime if I need some help or advice with something.”

That bond will continue except, of course, for the possibility of the two in the same game on opposite teams in the major leagues. That’ll be a proud day for their families and the town of Prairie Grove, where coach Cameron helps develop young players for college and professional baseball.