VANCOUVER -- Marcus Stroman hopped on a bus Tuesday morning as he began the journey to what he hopes will be a career in the big leagues. The Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect, chosen in the first round of this years Major League Baseball draft, is getting ready to commence his career with the Vancouver Canadians of the single-A Northwest League amidst high hopes from the parent club. He is expected to take the mound Wednesay against the Boise Hawks. "I feel like Im ready to go," said the 21-year-old. "Therell definitely be some butterflies in my stomach when Im out there for my professional debut, but Im excited, man. I cant wait to get out there and compete. Im ready to roll." The Blue Jays took Stroman with the 22nd pick overall. Assistant general manager Andrew Tinnish, formerly the teams scouting director, and Toronto manager John Farrell have said Stroman could rise to the majors by September. Usually, clubs avoid such predictions about players starting out in single-A ball. "Im just trying to focus on what I can do for the Vancouver Canadians," said Stroman. "Ive started to develop a pretty close relationship with some of the guys here, and Im just enjoying them. The guys are awesome on this team. So Im not worried about moving up or anything. Im worrying about the now and doing my best for the Vancouver Canadians and helping them win and, hopefully, everything else takes care of itself." The right-hander joined the Jays organization after three standout seasons at Duke University, where he struck out 136 batters in 98 innings last season. He also starred for Team USA in the summer of 2011 as a closer. He has received much more hype than some of the players on the Canadians roster, several of whom were signed as non-drafted free agents and are considered longshots at best to reach the majors. But he has also dealt with many nay sayers. Listed at five-foot-nine and 185 pounds, he does not fit the prototypical mould of the tall and lanky hurler prevalent on many major-league clubs rosters. He has used the criticism as a motivating force. "Ever since I started playing, size has always been an issue -- not an issue in my eyes, but an issue in everyone elses eyes as far as how far Id be able to go with my talent and my height," said Stroman. "So I just put stuff in the back of my mind every time Im in the game and every time on the mound that I just have to constantly prove people wrong. I like it. It motivates me. Id be the first one to tell you that I dont wish I was 6-1, 6-2, 6-3. I like what I have." Basketball was Stromans "first love" while growing up on Long Island. But after realizing his height would work against him on the court, he dedicated himself in his early high school years to excelling on the diamond. The sport did not come naturally to him. His father Earl Stroman, a police detective, played football growing up. But the father still helped the son as much as possible, enabling Stroman to rise to prominence. "At times, I didnt like him growing up," said Stroman. "I thought he might have pushed me too hard. We butted heads most of the time when I was young and got into a bunch of fights, but I realize now that it was all for the better. If that hadnt happened, who knows where I would be today?" Stroman, who also credits his mother Adlin Auffant for much of his success, struggled to find the best position that would take him to the pros. He also played shortstop in college. After serving as a closer in a summer league for top prospects following his freshman year, he realized that he should focus on pitching. Despite his lack of size, his 97 m.p.h. fast ball has turned the heads of batters and scouts alike. He has also developed three other pitches in his arsenal. "I definitely pitch off my fastball, and then I throw a slider," said Stroman. "Its usually my put-away pitch. Ive started mixing in a cutter and change-up this year, too, since Ive started, so that gives me two more weapons." Canadians manager Clayton McCullough plans to deploy him out of the bullpen as a middle reliever. But Stroman said he is comfortable in either a starter or reliever role. "This past year at Duke, I just started," said Stroman. "But my whole career before that, I did both. So Im used to coming out of the pen continuously." McCullough said Stroman has come as advertised with a big-time fastball and a good feel for secondary pitches that he can spin different ways. He has also fit in extremely well among players with more pro experience. "First-round pick, a lot of things come along with that, and all the attention that comes with it," said McCullough. "You walk into a new clubhouse where you dont know anybody, but theyve all read about you and heard about you. But hes come right in. Hes a great kid." The Blue Jays are battling injuries to pitchers and are on the lookout for help from within their system, but McCullough said it has yet to be determined -- and its impossible to know -- how soon Stroman will rise through the ranks. Right now, the aim is to make sure he makes a smooth transition from college to the pros. "You dont want to do anything crazy this summer," said McCullough. "Just get his feet wet and get him moving along." coach outlet online . After a nearly two-year legal battle, California racing officials agreed with ONeill but still found fault because of a rule that says trainers are ultimately responsible for horses in their care. The ruling Thursday doesnt prevent ONeill from saddling his Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner in the Belmont Stakes on June 9. coach handbags outlet . One of the first songs was the Beatles 1967 track "A Day in the Life," and what followed was just that. 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After two straight blowouts in the Las Vegas Bowl, the Broncos had to work hard for a win sealed by a 27-yard field goal by 5-foot-5 Michael Frisina with 1:16 left.SCHRUNS, Austria -- Defending champion Spains Euro 2012 squad includes the bulk of its World Cup winning team, with Alvaro Negredo earning one of the vaunted attacking positions in place of injured all-time leading scorer David Villa. Coach Vicente del Bosque called on the Sevilla striker to fill in for Villa, the countrys all-time leading scorer and who was also top scorer when Spain won the European title four years ago. Valencia striker Roberto Soldado missed out, while Atletico Madrids Adrian Lopez was also discarded despite scoring in his debut Saturday, a 2-0 friendly win over Serbia. "Villa is irreplaceable," Del Bosque said on Sunday after the Barcelona striker failed to recover from leg surgery in time. "But we needed to find solutions." Spain opens Group C on June 10 against Italy before facing Ireland and Croatia. The 23-man squad also features Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez, who started the World Cup final two years ago but was on the fringe of being selected until a strong end to his club season. Del Bosque made only four changes to his World Cup champions, with two of those -- Villa and defender Carles Puyol -- out of necessity as a result of injuries. Twelve players return from the team that hoisted the European title in Vienna four years ago, including Fernando Torres who scored in the 1-0 final win over Germany. Torres turnaround for Champions League winners Chelsea means he will likely lead the attack alongside Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, with David Silva, Juan Mata and Jesus Navas filling the forward line. Del Bosque included fullbacks Jordi Alba and Juanfran Torrees plus centerback Raul Albiol in defence with Puyol sidelined.dddddddddddd Alba and Juanfran are making their major championship debut. Del Bosque left Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara out while taking a chance on Cesc Fabregas, who wont be available for up to 10 days due to injury. "In Cescs case, the doctors are optimistic," Del Bosque said. "We had (Thiago) in mind, but we cant bring all of Barcelonas players. He called me to tell me he had an injury that meant he needed to rest." Euro 2008 standout Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final against the Netherlands, lead the seven Barcelona players in the team, including midfielder Sergio Busquets, defender Gerard Pique and goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Real Madrid has five players in the team, including defenders Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa and Albiol, plus Xabi Alonso and captain Iker Casillas. ------ Squad: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), VDictor Valdes (Barcelona). Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid). Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Santi Cazorla (Malaga). Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla). ' ' '