C.J. Widger Jr is a relief pitcher with the Everett AquaSox, the Minor League High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. After pitching in the Texas Rangers organization since 2021, C.J. was signed by the Seattle Mariners back in March of 2024.
The son of former major leaguer Chris Widger, who played catcher for 10 plus seasons with several teams over his career including the Seattle Mariners. A little-known fact; Chris played briefly with the Everett AquaSox in 2000.
The Seattle Sports Union was afforded the chance to meet up with C.J. after a recent baseball game and conduct a brief interview.
SSU: Hey C.J. thanks for joining us this evening. What a pleasure it is to meet you.
C.J.: Hi guys, nice to meet you as well. Looking forward to chatting with you. I love to talk about anything so fire away.
SSU: I got to cut to the question right away. Does Major Leaguer Josh Hader (closer for the Houston Astros) pay you royalties to copy your profile? There are so many similarities with the both of you and the way you approach this game. Hope he at least said “thank you” for his successful career so far. Haha.
C.J.: Haha!!! Thanks for that compliment and unfortunately that answer is no. I always got that comparison before when I was a bit younger, especially because of my hair and being lanky and everything else that goes with Josh Hader hahaha. Honestly, I could not throw that hard earlier in my career (not like Josh) but I did pick up his turn a little bit when throwing to each batter during the games when I came in to pitch. So, I am fine with going with that assumption you guys have made in regards to Josh Hader.
SSU: Where are you from?
C.J.: I’m from Pennsville, New Jersey. It is right across the river from Delaware. We were a very small town where I grew up. My graduating class had maybe 90 something classmates. Pennsville is a very small rural area, not too far from Philadelphia.
SSU: Besides baseball, what other sports did you participate in growing up?
C.J.: I played soccer and basketball growing up as well. I loved basketball very much, probably as much as I loved baseball. I decided to stick with baseball for many reasons but mainly because of my dad playing in the Major Leagues when I was a kid. With my athleticism, it was easier to pitch the baseball than rather try and make the NBA. I didn’t want to get dunked on by Lebron James. I really do love trying to get people out on the baseball field.
SSU: How come you didn’t follow the path of your Father and play catcher instead of pitcher?
C.J.: Haha! Well in little league I actually played catcher but being left-handed I knew I couldn’t continue to play at that position forever. After catching, I went on to play the position of center field in high school along with pitching. I was a pretty good hitter too. Eventually I settled on pitching after I got to junior college.
SSU: Do you have a favorite baseball moment from when you were in high school?
C.J.: I guess there are a couple of them that come to mind. My junior year we won the state championship so that was a pretty cool experience. My senior year I remember pitching against one of the best teams in the state. I lasted six innings and had some pretty good stats. My velocity wasn’t that fast back then but it didn’t matter.
SSU: If you don’t mind us asking, we read somewhere that you stopped playing baseball for a bit after high school. Would you care to share your story? I am very inspired how you turned yourself around.
C.J. No problem at all, I don’t mind talking about it. My first couple years in college I would attend my classes, but eventually I stopped going to them. It was a lot for me to handle. I was young and immature (“a teenage idiot in simple terms”). 8am classes weren’t for me. Eventually I realized I missed baseball and if I wanted to play, I needed to attend school, so I grew up.
I was out of baseball for about two years and then Covid hit (so technically 3 years). When I was back in school back in 2021, it was technically my Senior year and I was playing baseball again. We had a pretty great year. I was pretty close to my college coach. Even though I was throwing no more than 80 miles an hour, he still believed in me and had faith in me. He kept giving me opportunity after opportunity. With that said, he is a huge reason why I am in the minor leagues.
SSU: You were drafted by the Texas Rangers after your 2021 season in the 10th round. In 2022 you didn’t play. Care to share why?
C.J.: I had internal brace surgery on my elbow. It is very similar to Tommy John Surgery but with this procedure they don’t put a whole new ligament in. Instead, this procedure is more like taking a shoelace and tying it around the ligament to help it heal. Healing time is about 10 months, not like 13-14 months for Tommy John Surgery.
SSU: March of 2024, you signed on with the Seattle Mariners. Tell us what happened.
C.J.: Texas Rangers just thought it was time to move on so they released me. Seattle and a few other teams were interested in me. I talked with my agent and we felt that Seattle was the best fit for me and my career (My dad playing here too made it extra easier for me to decide too). I attended spring training with the Mariners and my velocity was around 90-92 mph. I ended up being assigned to Modesto to start the season (my velocity jumped about 4-6 mph out of nowhere just before starting out there) and now I am here in Everett. I am so happy that I signed with the Seattle Mariners.
SSU: What was your first impression of Everett when you arrived here?
C.J.: My Dad played here back in the day so I already had an idea of what I was getting into coming to the Northwest. The weather here is unreal and I was excited for that. Playing in front of fans who watched my dad play back in the day, how cool is that!! I am just soaking it all in. I love my teammates and my coaching staff. This entire Northwest League is very cool. The other day I went hiking not too far from here. It was amazing and so beautiful where we went. I don’t remember where we went but it was about an hour from here. I went hiking with my teammate Jimmy Kingsbury.
SSU: Coach Ryan; What is it like to play for this amazing manager of the Everett AquaSox?
C.J.: He is a super laid-back guy who expects you to play hard every time we hit the baseball field. He doesn’t want us to make mental mistakes, Coach Ryan is always locked in and I just love to play for him. As long as we play hard, show that we want to be here and put forth the effort, he’s got no problem with that.
SSU: How many pitches do you throw and what is your out pitch?
C.J.: I throw my fastball most of the time but also throw a sweeper and a changeup. The change up is a work in progress. My out pitch is definitely the sweeper but if it’s a right-handed hitter, I go with the fastball when I am locked on.
SSU: Walk-up music when you get to the big leagues? Have you thought about it?
C.J.: I sure have. For a while it was “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye. Now I have decided to go with “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix. We shall see how that goes.
SSU: Haha. Outstanding choice, you can’t go wrong with Jimi Hendrix. Ok, here’s the scenario. It’s the 2027 World Series. The Mariners are playing the Dodgers. It’s the bottom of the 9th, bases are loaded and you are called in to face Shohei to get the final out. You quickly get the count to 2 balls and 2 strikes. What pitch will you throw him to get the final out?
C.J.: Hmm. I got one pitch to work with. I am throwing Shohei the sweeper even if my fastball is working. Shohei is too good and I am not going to mess around with the chance he goes yard on my fastball.
SSU: Awesome choice and we can’t wait. What is Seattle’s plan for you? Will you stay in the bullpen?
C.J.: I believe they will keep me in the bullpen. When I started out at Modesto, they had me closing out a whole lot of games. I enjoy coming out late in the game when the game is on the line. I have dreamed about making the world series one day and coming out in the 9th inning to close out the game.
SSU: What is it like being the son of a former Major League baseball player?
C.J.: It is different for sure. Being from a small town, everyone knew I had a famous Dad. I have learned a lot from my dad from a catcher’s perspective. He helped teach me how to call my own game. He also helped me from the mental side of pitching too. What I mean is, I learned how to pitch while I grew physically into my body if that makes sense. He’s a great Dad and I appreciate everything he has done to help me become who I am today.
SSU: Where do you see yourself 20 years from now when your career is over?
C.J.: That’s a tough question. I have always wanted to go into coaching, so that is a possibility. You know how Randy Johnson (former Mariner) does photography now? I have thought about doing stuff like that too. Perhaps I will go and take pictures of NFL football or pictures of waterfalls, nature and other stuff. Photography was something I thought about doing in college before I started throwing harder and before I knew I had a chance to get drafted.
SSU: Who plays C.J. Widger in your Hollywood movie. It’s ok to say Josh Hader.
C.J.: Oh man. He’s got to learn how to act first ha-ha. Oh, there is an actor who some people say looks like me but I can’t remember who. So, with that said, how about a young Brad Pitt, or who’s the guy who plays Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Oh yeah, Johnny Depp. He doesn’t even look like me but he’s an A lister, so why not.
SSU: Do you have a favorite sports movie of all time?
C.J.: I am a big comedy guy so Major League or Major League 2. My Dad turned me on to those movies. Remember the Titans was another favorite of mine.
SSU: What is your favorite ice cream?
C.J.: Mint Chocolate Chip for sure. I love the green mints in them. It goes well with another snack. How about some Lays ripple chips.
SSU: Final question (and great choice on the ice cream). Your Dad got a World Series ring in 2005 with the Chicago White Sox. What’s it like?
C.J.: Pretty awesome and yes, I want one for myself one day. He doesn’t wear it that often but when he does, it definitely stands out. People notice. I really hope I can help bring a World Series Championship to Seattle one day and of course get one of those cool rings. That would be sweet. Thanks, SSU. This was fun, have a great night.
Thank you C.J. Widger. You haven’t been here long, but you have made a huge impact with the Seattle Mariners organization already. We can’t wait to see what the future brings you young man. Congrats on not giving up on your dream. C.J., you are an inspiration to all of us. Everett (and one day Seattle) is truly lucky to have you play for our organization. Have a great rest of your 2024 season. Frog Nation take notice!!
Go Frogs!!!
