Blaise Ilsley

Background

Ilsley was born on April 9, 1964, in Alpena, Michigan.

Career

He was drafted in the 4th round by the Montreal Expos in the 1985 amateur draft after three seasons at Indiana State University. Subsequent arm injuries hurt his career and he was released by the Houston Astros organization. He spent seven seasons in the Astros farm system being signed as a free agent by the Saint Louis Cardinals in December 1991.

In the fall of 1992 Ilsley again became a free agent and signed with the Cubs in October of that year.

Ilsley was on the Cubs 1994 Opening day roster and appeared in 10 games that season. After being demoted to the minors on July 7, 1994, Ilsley played four more years of professional baseball but never made it back to the Major Leagues.

He spent a 14 seasons in the Minors, accumulating an overall record of 113-73. Winning 3 American Automobile Association Championships (1991 - Tucson Toros, 1993 - Iowa Cubs and 1997 - Buffalo Bisons).

He was a Pitching Coach in the Minors from 1999-2012.

Mainly in the Saint Louis Cardinals organization. After his playing days were over, Ilsley has worked as a minor league pitching coach for the Saint Louis Cardinals organization. After five seasons as pitching coach for the Cardinals Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, Ilsley was promoted to bullpen coach for the Cardinals in November, 2012.

He replaced Dyar Miller, who served one season in the position.

Achievements

• Illsley gained notice as a future big league prospect when he won 20 games in the minors during the 1986 season. He won League titles with the Bluefield Orioles in 2001, the Tennessee Smokies in 2004 and with the Memphis Redbirds in 2009.