BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Josh Banks said it’s no longer a matter of if he’ll make it to the major leagues — it’s when.

Banks, a pitcher, is one of the Toronto Blue Jays top pitching prospects and has been on the team’s 40-man roster the last three seasons. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander has 72 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 111.2 innings this season for the Class-A Syracuse Chiefs four years after being drafted in the second round.

But despite Toronto losing several of its pitchers to injuries and releasing veterans Tomo Ohka, John Thomson and Victor Zambrano over the last month, Blue Jays’ management promoted two of Banks’ teammates — pitchers Jesse Litsch and Ty Taubenheim. However, Banks, an Arnold native who played at Severna Park High, is confident his day will come soon.

“Who gets the call is completely out of my hands,” said Banks, who is 7-7 with a 4.92 ERA this season. “Teams are not just looking for the best player, but a guy that is hot at the time. You can’t worry about who they pick and can’t let still being in the minors bother you.”

Banks, who just turned 25, displayed poise and control on the mound Tuesday as he allowed one run on three hits and struck out five in a 1-0 loss to Rochester.

He said he credits much of his success to the lessons he learned while coming up through the Severna Park Green Hornets youth leagues and in high school under coach Jim McCandless.

“I thought it would take me five years to reach the majors, so I know I’m pretty close,” Banks said. “I’m still pretty young in baseball terms, so as long as I keep doing what I’m doing and stay healthy, I’ll get my shot.”

BANKS NOTES

» Banks went 10-11 with a 5.17 ERA, 126 strikeouts and 28 walks in 2006 with Triple-A Syracuse.

» He played baseball, football and basketball at Severna Park.

» He attended Florida International University before Toronto selected him in the second round of the 2003 draft.