Colton Cain is living his dream

Playing for the team he grew up watching

Colton Cain throws to first 

KISSIMMEE, FLA. — Colton Cain is living his dream, playing for the team he grew up watching.

The 6-foot-3, 256-pound Texas native and pitching prospect grew up admiring the Houston Astros.

Cain, whose nickname is CC, knew as a 14-year-old in junior high that he wanted to be a professional baseball player.

“You realize that you can compete with the best guys in your age group and then from then on it’s just kind of a dream to come here and play here,” he said Monday at Astros training camp facility in Kissimmee, Fla.

Originally drafted out of Waxahachie High School by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft, Cain was traded to the Houston Astros for Wandy Rodriguez in 2012.

“Pittsburgh treated me well, but just to come back to Texas, what more could you ask for?” he said. “I’m super excited about that and glad to be a part of this organization.”

Last year in 28 appearances with the Quad Cities River Bandits and Lancaster Jethawks, Cain recorded eight wins and five losses, and finished the year with an ERA of 3.88.

While playing minor league baseball for the High-A Lancaster Jethawks in 2012, Cain helped lead the team to its first California League Championship title in franchise history.

“I got to pitch the last game, which was awesome,” said Cain. “My first experience in the playoffs and overall a great experience and really learned how to finish the season out.”

Unlike a lot of other pitchers, Cain is not one for superstition and likes to keep it simple.

“I try not get caught up in some of that silly stuff,” Cain said.

Already known for his fastball, the left-handed pitcher spent this offseason working on the mechanics of his pitches and specifically developing more consistency with his breaking ball.

“I had a few things mechanically try to get behind the lower half, more consistent breaking ball, definitely got better at both so I’m pretty excited to be here and get going,” he said.

Cain said he hopes his post-season experience and workhorse ethic in combination with doing the little things to stay healthy will make him a regular in the Astros bullpen.

“I think if I can stay on the field all the little things are going to work their self out,” Cain said. “Number One goal is to do the little things to stay healthy.”

About this article

By: Edward Elyahky
Posted: Mar 4 2014 12:05 am
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Filed under: 2014 Spring Training Baseball News Sports