Abbadessa models game after fellow Californian Pillar

Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 23rd round in 2016, CF Dominic Abbadessa hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Californian and late-round pick Kevin Pillar. Photo: Jamie Branje

By Jamie Branje

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Far from his California home, Toronto Blue Jays prospect Dominic Abbadessa is adjusting to a new family in Florida.

The 21-year-old centre-fielder out of Huntingdon Beach High School has found Major League support while working his way through the minor leagues.

Abbadessa was drafted in the 23rd round, 702nd overall, in 2016.

He has stolen 31 bases over 113 games in three seasons with the Rookie League Bluefield Blue Jays, batting .311 in 2018.

He knows he has to work hard to get to the majors, as current Toronto centre-fielder Kevin Pillar did.

“You know, Kevin’s another guy from California, a late-round pick (32nd round, 979th overall). He just gave me a lot of good advice, like, ‘Just keep your head down, keep working, always hustle everywhere.’

“I take my game after him … after anyone that’s made the big leagues that’s a late-round pick, because that’s what I was,” Abbadessa said, adding that Pillar taught him to “never really let anyone else get in the way? Kind of keep that mentality.”

Beyond the support he receives from the top players in the organization, he said he’s lucky to play with and be supported by someone from close to home.

Catcher Hagen Danner, the Blue Jays 2017 second-round pick, was playing baseball with him “since we were five years old,” Abbadessa said, and they were teammates throughout high school.

“It was nice. I got another kid who knows where I’m from and it was really comforting,” Abbadessa said. When Danner was drafted the two wound up on Face Time. “Honestly, like dying laughing, it was crazy,” Abbadessa said.

“It’s fun getting to play with him, getting to see him every day. Then we go back home and we work out together, we hang out together all the time. We’re best friends.”

Abbadessa’s father, a native New Yorker, is dealing with split loyalty.

“It’s funny, he’s still a diehard Yankees fan but I mean he loves the Jays just because that’s who I play for. He’s always so supportive (but) he’ll go walk the dog and he’ll have Blue Jays shorts on with a Yankee hat.

“I like to root against the Yankees,” Abbadessa said, “just to make him mad. It’s fun.”