Miracle pitcher hopes All-Star bid just the beginning

Blackburn banking on Class A success

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

Being named to the Florida State League All-Star game means something to Nick Blackburn, but it will mean a lot more if he accomplishes his primary goal of getting promoted.

The right-handed pitcher for the Fort Myers Miracle will travel to Clearwater for the game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Bright House Network Field.

The Miracle — the Class A minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins — return home at 7:05 tonight for the first of a three-game series at the Lee County Sports Complex against the Clearwater Threshers.

"I thought that it was a great honor," said Blackburn, who will be joined on the West Division roster by Miracle centerfielder Denard Span and Miracle third baseman Matt Moses.

"I hadn't really set that as a personal goal. My personal goal right now is me getting to Double-A."

Miracle manager Riccardo Ingram believes Blackburn has a good chance to earn such a promotion.

"He's a talented pitcher," Ingram said. "He gives this club a chance to win every time he goes up there. That's all you can ask for. He throws strikes, and he lets the defense act behind him."

Blackburn finished the first half of the season with a 5-4 record and a 3.82 ERA, along with 42 strikeouts and just eight walks.

Blackburn throws a fastball, changeup, slider, curveball and two-seam fastball for strikes. His fastball clocks in the 88-89 mph range.

"He's not really a strikeout pitcher," Ingram said. "He moves the ball around in the strike zone, and he makes the hitter swing at them."

Although Blackburn stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds, he does not describe himself as a power pitcher. Nor does he throw like one.

"I'm more of a finesse pitcher," Blackburn said. "I'm not overpowering. I throw all of my pitches for a strike the majority of the time when I'm on."

The Twins selected the 2000 Del City (Okla.) High School graduate in the 29th round of the June 2001 draft.

Last season, Blackburn posted a 3-3 record with a 6.27 ERA for the Miracle.

This season, Blackburn has been more consistent.

"He's tough to hit," Ingram said.