Bergmann working his way up to Majors
Former Rutgers standout hoping for call to major leagues
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Jay Bergmann

Jay Bergmann has learned to live out of a suitcase.As an up-and-coming prospect in the Washington Nationals organization, the ex-Manalapan High School standout has moved around. Earlier this year, he was told that he was being elevated from the Nationals’ Double A team in Harrisburg, Pa., to its Triple A affiliate in New Orleans. Ten hours later, he was on the field in New Orleans.

“You have to be ready to move at any time,” he said.

Bergmann, though, wouldn’t mind one more move. Playing Triple A baseball means he is just one step, one phone call away, from the major leagues.

“It’s always on the back of your mind, but it’s very important that you don’t look too far ahead,” he said.

Bergmann’s concern is controlling what he can, and right now that is pitching for the New Orleans Zephyrs on the Pacific Coast League. The Zephyrs have been using the 6-foot-4 right-hander with the 90-plus mph fastball in relief. He has been doing it all, setup, closer and long relief. Since his call-up, Bergmann has made six appearances for the New Orleans club, pitching 10.2 innings with a 3.38 ERA and 10 strikeouts. Teams are batting just .187 off the right-hander.

“I was a starter until last year,” he said. “They told me that they wanted me to be a reliever, and that they wanted me to get a lot of innings in. I did get a lot of innings in.

“Whether you are a starter or a reliever, you are a pitcher first and you have to get the job done,” he added.

By not specializing in one role out of the bullpen, Bergmann knows it has increased his chances of getting called up. He doesn’t have to wait for one position to open up, he could fill in to whatever spot the Nationals might need.

That Bergmann has gotten so close to the major leagues is a testament to his talent and commitment, as well as the Nationals’ ability to spot talent.

After Manalapan, Bergmann pitched at Rutgers for three years. After a very strong freshman year, he had two subpar seasons for the Knights. The odd man out in the starting rotation, he pitched infrequently.

“I was the youngest pitcher on the team, and it was difficult to get consistent innings,” he said. “They were going with experienced seniors. I don’t blame them for not pitching me more because I didn’t deserve to pitch. I was a little frustrated.”

While he was frustrated by the way he was pitched and was used, Bergmann knows he benefited from playing with a major college power like Rutgers.

“I played with a lot of great players,” he said. “David DeJesus, who is now with the Kansas City Royals, and Bob Brownley, who was a No. 1 pick.

“I learned a lot from Bob,” he added. “He was very professional and humble all the time.”

However, during his collegiate years, Bergmann did shine in the New England College League during the summers, making the all-star game once.

That, his fastball and youth were enough for the Expos. They drafted him in the 11th round of the 2002 draft.

“I was considered projectable,” he said. “I was 6-4, had a 92 mph fastball and I was only 20. I had room to grow.”

Bergmann signed with the Expos in 2002 and started out playing that June with their Vermont team in the New York-Penn League for rookies. He had a very good season, going 7-4 with a 2.879 ERA.

He was on his way and packing his suitcase along the way. He played in Savannah (Single A) in 2003 as a starter, and in 2004, made three stops starting in Savannah and moving up to Brevard City in the Florida State League, and then up to Harrisburg in the Double A Eastern League, where he was now coming out of the bullpen.

Early last month, he got the call-up and was in New Orleans.

“I’ve been at all the levels, and at each one learned something,” he said.

What he’s learned is that you can’t get by on your fastball alone.

“You have to take a different approach,” he said. “You have to throw the fastball where you want to get them to hit a weak ground ball and not a laser.

“You can’t throw the fastball down the middle of the plate and strike them out,” he added. “Even if you throw 96 mph, they can hit it. They hit every mistake. It’s more about control and deception with your pitches.”

Bergmann said the key to success is mixing pitches. He’s developing off-speed pitches to go with his fastball. Location, of course, is everything.

Although aluminum bats, which are used in high school and college are hitter-friendly, Bergmann said it did make him a better pitcher.

“I wish they would go to wood bats,” he said. “Aluminum caters to the hitter. But, as a pitcher, it forces you to get command of your off-speed pitches.”