By Pete Cava
PBR Indiana Correspondent  

Nevin Ashley shares catching duties with Carlos Paulino for the Indianapolis Indians of the Triple-A International League.  A native of Vincennes, Ind., Ashley was a three-sport star at North Knox High School in the southwestern Indiana town of Bicknell.  He starred in baseball at Indiana State University, batting .382 as a junior in 2006 and leading the Missouri Valley Conference with seven homers.  

Tampa Bay drafted Ashley in the sixth round that June, and he batted .333 that summer for Princeton, Ky. (rookie Appalachian).  In 2007 at Columbus, Ga. (low A South Atlantic), he had a .280 average, a dozen homers and 20 stolen bases.     

Ashley made stops at Vero Beach, Fla. (high A Florida State), Montgomery, Ala. (AA Southern), and Port Charlotte, Fla. (Florida State) between 2007 and 2009, when he was cited as the best defensive player in the Rays organization.  After splitting 2010 between Montgomery and Durham, N.C. (International), he traveled with the Rays for the American League Division Series as a backup catcher, but was not on the roster.  

In July 2011, Ashley’s .280 average at Montgomery earned him a promotion to Durham.  A broken right hand in April 2012 limited him to 35 Triple-A games.  After the season he became a free agent and signed with the Cincinnati Reds.  After hitting .235 in 80 contests, he was again granted free agency and joined the Pittsburgh Pirates for 2014.  

Over eight minor league seasons, Ashley – known as ‘Ash’ in the Indians clubhouse – has a career .258 average with 99 doubles, 22 triples, 51 homers and 291 runs batted in.  He has thrown out 188 of 509 runners on stolen base attempts, an average of 37 percent. 

He got off to a hot start this season, going 5-for-6 during the Indians’ first six contests – all on the road – including a 3-for-3 night against the Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field on April 8.  

Ashley, who turns 30 this August, stands 6-foot-1 and weighs a solid 215 pounds.  Prior to the Tribe’s April 11 game with Toledo at Victory Field, the affable backstop took time out to for an interview with Prep Baseball Report.   

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up a few miles north of Vincennes in a town called Bruceville.  It's real small.  It has one flashing light, that's all. 

What's the population? 

Maybe 600, 700.   

Where do you live in the off-season? 

I reside now in Evansville.  I moved a little but further south, got a little bit bigger town. 

What's your earliest baseball memory? 

I was probably five years old.  My brother was playing.  I was just sitting around.  I was the batboy, whatever, 'cause I wasn't old enough (to play).  They didn't have enough players, so I went out there.   I had to hit ninth, because that was the rule, if you were an add-on.  I actually had a good game, and I wound up playing the rest of the year with them at five years old. 

Playing in the Cub League gave you a solid start in baseball.  Where was that? 

It was in Vincennes, Indiana.  We had a Cub league there.  Thank goodness for my parents.   They let me play there and get into that competitive atmosphere at a young age.  It really drove me to be better.  Being an out-of-town guy as well, it made me strive a little bit more to fit in.  So right then and there, I knew baseball was my sport. 

Did you grow up rooting for a particular team? 

I did.  I grew up a Braves fan.  Being from this area [southwestern Indiana], usually it's the Cubs or Cardinals, and there's a few Cincinnati fans.  But every time I got home, the Braves were on TV and that's who I fell in love with. 

Did you have a favorite player? 

I loved all the Braves guys growing up.  But my favorite player was Cal Ripken Jr. 

Why was that? 

Just because he was the Iron Man – his work ethic.  He was out there every day.  I'm a blue-collar guy.  I had to work for everything, so watching him go about his business hit home with me. 

Were you always a catcher? 

I played basically everywhere.  But from 10-11 years old, I really liked being behind the plate, because I was in on every play. 

What was high school like?  Weren't you an honor roll student and a three-time class president? 

High school was a lot of fun.  I went to a small school and played three sports all through high school, the honor roll and all that.  They gave me a good foundation to move on with the rest of my career.  I appreciate everything they did for me. 

What did you play in football? 

Actually, I was a halfback my first year, and linebacker. After that I was a tight end and defensive end.  I played both ways, I punted, I kicked the field goals – I never came off the field. 

How about basketball? 

Believe it or not, I was actually the point guard.  All through junior high, all through high school, I was the point guard.  I guess I saw the court well.  I was the guy that dished it off to everybody else. 

Did you have many college scholarship offers? 

I had a few in football and basketball, but they were all small schools.  I knew sophomore year in high school that baseball was my thing.  I ended up not playing football my senior year because I wanted to take my college visits and make the right decision on where I wanted to go.   Thank goodness, I found Indiana State and it was the right fit.   

Why did you pick Indiana State? 

I had other offers – Indiana, Notre Dame, Illinois State and a few others.  Indiana State was the right fit.  I knew I could go there and compete for a spot my freshman year – I wasn’t going to sit around.  Part of the biggest reason was that I got an academic scholarship, as well.  That really helped out my family.    

As a junior in 2006, you were first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference.  What was that year like? 

I was coming off an injury.  I had a knee injury that fall and had arthroscopic surgery.  So after a good year as a sophomore, I had to earn my spot back.  It lit a fire under me, and I had a good year. 

What was your major at Indiana State? 

My major was business management.  I’m still working on a degree right now.  I’m going to finish it.  I’m doing it online, through Indiana State.  

When I was playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, I took an online Spanish class.  My teacher loved it when she found out I was taking the course while I was in a Spanish-speaking place.  I actually got a little extra credit because of that.     

What was it like when Tampa Bay drafted you? 

It was a humbling experience.  I knew I had a good shot to get picked up later on the first day.  When I got picked up in the sixth round, it was shocking at first.  Then I knew that one of my biggest dreams – becoming a professional athlete – was coming true.  It was definitely a humbling experience – and exciting, as well.    

Do you recall what you did in your Triple-A debut with Durham? 

Ahhh… I don’t remember.  

You homered against Charlotte on Aug. 29, 2010. 

Oh, yeah, I did!  I think it was my second at-bat.  Thank goodness that game was before they moved the fences back in Charlotte  

At Double-A Montgomery back in 2011, you caught Matt Moore’s no-hitter. Remember that one? 

I definitely remember that one.  It was one of the highlights of my career.  We were just clicking on everything that night.  It was a great experience. 

We talked about it [the no-hitter] during the game.  He’s an easy-going guy.  He didn’t care that people came up and talked to him.  He was probably more nervous about people not talking to him as the game was going on.  

What are your favorite memories? 

Everything has just been a whirlwind.  It’s been a great career.  By now, obviously, I’d like to have been in the big leagues a couple of years.  But you know what?  Being out here playing the game you love as a job – it can’t get better than that.  The whole career itself has been very, very worthwhile. 

I have a lot of good friends through baseball.  [Tampa Bay left-hander] David Price was one of my teammates.  I caught his first professional game [with Vero Beach in 2008].  [Catcher] Craig Albernaz, one of my best friends, is with the Tigers organization now.  He was in my wedding.      [Catcher] Stephen Vogt, who’s with the A’s, he’s a good friend of mine. 

What was the deciding factor in signing with Pittsburgh for this season? 

It was a good fit.  Talking to the front office guys, they let me know what the situation was.  [Pirates general manager] Neil [Huntington] and [Pittsburgh skipper] and Clint [Hurdle] even called me.  It showed that they were interested in me.       

Being here in Indianapolis is also a plus.  I wasn’t trying to weigh that factor in – being close to home – because my ultimate goal is to be in Pittsburgh.   But it definitely was a factor 

Will you have your own cheering section at Victory Field? 

I’ll tell you what – I’ll definitely be known on the pass lists around here!  They might have to tell me a couple of times, “Hey!  Take it easy on the pass lists!” But it’s always nice to play in front of familiar faces.  

How big was your pass list for the Indians’ home opener? 

It actually wasn’t that big.  I don’t know if the weather factored in on that.  But it’ll start picking up when school lets out.  

I remember playing with Louisville, last year, I dropped a 20-spot on them one night.  They definitely knew my name around the ticket office there.     

What's it look like for you this year? 

We’ve got a great starting [pitching] corps.  My role this year is the backup, the second guy.  When I go in there, I just have to keep handling the pitchers, keep them going, and contribute offensively whatever way I can.  

After eight seasons in the minor leagues, is it frustrating to see other guys go to the majors? 

No, definitely not.  Personally, you want to be in that same situation.  You want to be that guy that gets called up.   But when you see someone that you’re close to [reach the big leagues], you’re excited for them.  

It’s weird, being catcher.  Usually the catchers, we’re really close, and since we’re fighting for the same position, that doesn’t make sense.  I had a guy get called up over me, and I didn’t think twice about it.  I was excited for him.   

I guess that’s the Midwest in me, the down-to-earth guy.   But I’m definitely waiting for my turn.  

Baseball’s hardest job has to be catching.  Everywhere you've played, you've been one of the best.  What is it that makes you such a standout? 

Getting those defensive accolades is very humbling.  I take pride in that, especially being drafted as an offensive guy.  After struggling one year, I realized I had to bring something else to the table.  I really worked hard at it, and I’m just glad it’s coming through. 

I take pride in what I do.  I take pride in who’s out there on the mound and I really want to help them succeed and get to the next level.  I study the game, I learn the swings.  I learn the pitchers – what their secondary pitch is.  They might have a different secondary pitch that day.  They might not have the same fastball.  So I study the game and help them as best I can – call the game and get them six, seven innings.  

As far as blocking, throwing, I just let my athleticism take over there.  I continue to work at it during the season and off-season, so whenever that time comes, it’s like second nature for me.  

Other sports claim to be a thinking man’s game, but they all seem to pale in comparison to baseball, where you’ve got to be thinking on every pitch. 

Yes definitely.  Sometimes being a catcher gets me in trouble, because I go up to bat and I’m like, “All right, this guy’s probably gonna throw me this pitch!” – and I’m completely wrong.  

But hopefully, I have a leg up on it because I do study the game.   

Some of the best managers in baseball have been catchers. Why is that? 

I think it’s because we’re in every pitch of every game.  Even when I’m not playing, I’m sitting there studying the game, seeing what the tendencies of the hitters are, or the pitchers.  We’re students of the game, and that definitely gives you a leg up.    

Ever think you might coach or manage one day?

It’s a possibility.  I’m not really sure.  I’ll take one day at a time.  I’m in the present right now – tomorrow is tomorrow.  I’ll worry about that when it comes.  

If you weren't playing baseball, what would you be doing? 

I really have no idea.  I could use my degree when I get it.  I’d definitely finish my schooling right away.  

I’m not really sure.  I take one day at a time.  When that day comes, I’m sure I’ll figure it out.  

If high school players ask for advice, what do you tell them?

Just to have fun.  I know you hear it from everybody.  But I learned that last year [at Louisville].  For the first time in my career, I could have been released, but when [catcher] Corky Miller went up to the big leagues I got activated.  

I was like, “Just have fun – go out there and play the game that you know, that you love, that you’ve done for so long now.”  Once I started doing that, everything came back.  It all clicked.  I was having fun, I enjoyed it.  And I still enjoy it to this day.  

So that’s the biggest thing.  You got to have fun and love what you’re doing, and strive for excellence at the same time.  I’m a competitive guy, so I’m not going to go out there and just mess around on the field.  I’m too competitive for that.  The competitiveness will come out, when the time comes.