The Blue Jays’ scout hiring bonanza continues.
Brampton’s Jamie Lehman has been hired as a full-time scout to scour Canada for high school players leading into the June 2010 draft.
“Obviously I have a lot to learn,” Lehman, 24, said. “Kevin will teach me the ropes, I’m pretty sure I’ll be moving pretty quickly.”
Kevin Briand, the Jays’ director of Canadian scouting, will add pro coverage to his portfolio next season.
Playing for the Ontario Blue Jays in 2003, Lehman was drafted and signed by Alex Anthopoulos, then a Montreal Expos scout. Selected in the 29th round, Lehman and Mississauga lefty A.J. Wideman (11th) were Anthopoulos’ first two signings and the two pitchers were together at extended spring training in Jupiter, Fla.
After two seasons in the Expos system, Lehman moved to the Washington Nationals organization and he was there until he was released in April at class-A Potomac. He pitched the rest of the summer with class-A Auburn in the Jays system, pitching in 116 games in the minors and working 200 innings.
“Not many guys retire and have a job the same day,” Lehman said.
