Jarrod “Cande-man” Cande, a Spokane Indians starting pitcher and guest on Blake Street Banter, shared the story behind his nickname and his journey to professional baseball. The nickname originated during his childhood when he scored a 40-yard touchdown in football practice at the age of eight or nine. From that moment on, he became known as the Cande-man. It brings back memories of his youth and he embraces it with joy. His teammate, Tyler Ahearn, even suggested using it as his Instagram handle, prefacing a post-playing career as a marketer.

Jarrod attended Florida Southern, a Division II school in Lakeland, Florida. Prior to that, he spent two years at Santa Fe College, a junior college (Juco) in Gainesville, Florida. The path he took, from Juco to D2 to professional baseball, is not commonly seen. Jarrod’s impressive performance on the mound, reaching 92 mph and showcasing his hitting skills with a double, caught the scout’s attention. This unexpected opportunity led to a visit to Santa Fe College and the beginning of Jarrod’s college career.

Professional Career

During his time in Fresno, Cande reflects on his pitching routine and the importance of finding what works best for him. He experimented with different approaches, keeping what felt right and discarding what didn’t. He emphasizes the need for discipline to stick to the routine consistently, even when feeling tired or sore. The key is to develop a personalized routine rather than blindly following someone else’s program.

Cold Weather and Taylor Swift?

Having experienced snow for the first time upon arriving in the Northwest, Cande had to adjust to the colder climate and rainy conditions. Despite the change, he appreciates the current decent weather but not after he purchased some UA cold gear. Cande is currently roommates with Braiden Ward, and humorously notes the frequent presence of Taylor Swift’s music and afishing experience in Montana, albeit in cold weather that required breaking ice.

Catch it All

Listen to the whole Banter Session here and get all of the information you need on Jarrod Cande and what makes him great. He has the mindset and the stuff to make the jump from JUCO to the Pros, until then, finding him doing work in Spokane!