Toronto claims Hoffpauir

By Michael Kerekes (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, November 4, 2009

VIDALIA — St. Louis Cardinals second baseman and Vidalia native Jarrett Hoffpauir was claimed off of waivers Tuesday by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hoffpauir, who hit .250 with two doubles and four walks in just eight games for the Cardinals, was placed on waivers after the team removed him from the 40-man roster, Jarrett’s father Johnny Lee Hoffpauir said.

“We just found out this evening,” Johnny Lee said. “He was dropped from the 40-man, which meant that he had to clear waivers before he could go back to the minors.

“Shortly afterwards, they told him that he got picked up really quickly by Toronto. That’s about all we know.”

When a player is cut from the 40-man roster, any team can claim him off of waivers. Johnny Lee, who coaches baseball at Vidalia High School, said he thinks the fact that his son was picked up so quickly speaks highly about his abilities.

“It’s going to be a new start for him, which is good. St. Louis is a big-market team that is going to look to the free agent market a lot. This backs up their minor league guys a lot. There’s kind of a clog in the Cardinals’ middle infield right now.”

Johnny Lee said his son, who batted .291 with 14 home runs in AAA Memphis this past season, is currently at a hunting camp in Rodney. In the brief time Johnny Lee spoke to his son about the move, his impressions were that Jarrett had a positive attitude.

“He’s excited,” Johnny Lee said. “This could be a new life for him.”