Named by Baseball America as the Atlanta Braves’ third-best prospect coming into the 2008 season, Jair Jurrjens is living out his greatest aspirations. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a little kid,” the baseball star says. “I’ve been playing baseball since I was 5.” Four years after being signed by the Detroit Tigers in 2003 as an undrafted free agent, Jurrjens started the 2007 season pitching for the Erie SeaWolves. On Aug. 15, 2007, the Tigers bought his contract. That same day, he made his major-league debut as a starting pitcher against the Cleveland Indians, making him the first pitcher from Curaçao to make it into the major leagues. On Oct. 29, 2007, Jurrjens was traded to the Braves. “I’m just happy that the Braves gave me the chance,” he said. “I’m just enjoying it right now. I’m living the dream, playing for my favorite team.” The athlete was all smiles when talking about his family and said that what gratifies him is his parents’ pride in him. “Every time you call them, and they cry because you did something good–that’s special,” he says. The close relationship with his family also is why he works with the hearing impaired. “My big brother is deaf, and I’m used to having a lot of deaf kids around me,” Jurrjens says. “It’s something more personal.” When not on the field, Jurrjens enjoys playing Play- Station and catching up with friends from home. As the Braves player improves with each season, his eye seems to be more on the ball than on love. “I’m just trying to date right now. I’m 22. I’m not trying to settle down right now. My dad would kill me!”