Draft Prospect Q&A

Zack Collins (University of Miami) Interview: Draft Prospect Q&A

By Chuck Wasserstrom | May 17, 2016 at 4:03pm CDT

MLBTR continues its Draft Prospect Q&A series in order to give our readers a look at some of the top names on the board in this year’s draft. MLBTR will be chatting with some of the draft’s most well-regarded prospects as they prepare for the 2016 draft on June 9-11; we’ve already spoken with Florida outfielder Buddy Reed, prep outfielder Blake Rutherford, Mercer’s Kyle Lewis, Oklahoma’s Alec Hansen and Louisville’s Corey Ray.

University of Miami catcher Zack Collins has been down this path before. Three years ago, he was projected to be selected as high as the second round of the MLB draft – but he wasn’t picked until the 27th round due to signability questions. This time around, he figures to hear his name around the middle of the first round.

The 6’3”, 230-pound Collins is a left-handed power hitter with a very patient approach at the plate. Heading into the final week of regular-season play, he ranks among the Division I national leaders in walks (59) and on-base percentage (.560) as part of his .387/.560/.655 slash line.

Last week, Baseball America listed him No. 16 on its Top 100 Draft Prospects chart, and he’s currently 20th on the Top 100 at MLB.com. ESPN.com’s Keith Law recently wrote, “I’ve heard he’s in the mix for at least two teams in the Top 10, including Oakland.”

Collins talked with MLBTR earlier this week:

Chuck Wasserstrom: Hi Zack. Thanks for talking to me today. I want to start out with a couple draft-related questions. Coming out of high school, you could have been a high-round pick, but you weren’t because of signability – and the Cincinnati Reds selected you in the 27th round. Was there any scenario where you would have turned pro instead of going to college?

Zack Collins: “It was a number thing. My family and I set a number, and it wasn’t matched. So I had no problem going to college. It was my dream school, and I think I made the right decision.”

It still must be pretty cool to be 18 years old and know that Cincinnati just drafted you. Was it tough to say, “Thanks – but no thanks?”

“At that point, it was the 27th round – and they were offering nowhere near the number that I set. I was really excited and honored to be drafted by them – and to just be drafted at all – but it honestly wasn’t very tough to say ‘No.’ ”

You grew up less than 30 minutes from the University of Miami campus. Really, how tough of a recruiting process was it for them to lure you there?

“I always wanted to go there. I don’t think there was any other school that I had in mind. I don’t know. I went to all the camps and they liked me. One of the first offers they made to me … I said ‘Yes.’ It was pretty easy.”

There have been some pretty big-time bats that have gone through that program – like Pat Burrell, Ryan Braun and Yonder Alonso. How does it feel to have your name mentioned in the same sentence as them?

“It’s honoring, but it’s kind of tough to put my name in with them. They’ve done a lot more than I have so far. But, honestly, it feels great to be mentioned in those categories. Hopefully, I can keep it up just like them.”

[Interview continued after the page break]

Tell me about your whole college experience. How you have evolved as a player and as a person?

“The college experience has been great. Just hanging around with all the guys all the time – and being in that locker room. It’s been great. I think I’ve matured a lot. Looking back at the high school days, I don’t know if I was ready for the pros yet. I think it’s a good thing that I went to college. I’ve just matured and got a lot better at baseball, and got three years in college.”

I like to ask people for their own assessments. In your own words, what would you say is the scouting report on Zack Collins?

“I think I’m just a guy who goes out there and works hard every day to be as good as I can. I’m a team player; I’ll do whatever helps out the team. Obviously, I’m an offensive catcher, but I’m working on my defense a lot lately. I think I’ve gotten a lot better defensively, and I’m just trying to prove to guys I can catch at the next level.”

You’re human. You’ve heard the scouting reports. First round bat, don’t know where he’ll play defensively. What can you do to dispel that?

“I think I’m actually doing that this year. I’ve worked a lot on my blocking and receiving and throwing and footwork – all that kind of stuff. We actually have a new catching coach down here in Miami (Norberto Lopez), and he’s helped me a ton. I think I’ve answered that question this year.”

I like hearing that. You sound very confident about your defense. And everyone knows about your power numbers. But you’re very patient as a batter; you’re among the Division I leaders in walks and on-base percentage. What does that mean to you?

“It means a lot. I’m just trying to be a team player. I’m not going to go up there and try to hit a home run every time. Sometimes, it gets a little bit frustrating to walk three or four times in a game, but I’ll take it if that’s going to help the team win. I’ll take my walks and go on to the next game.”

There are stories that I recently read about your parents signing you up to play in an organized T-ball league when you were three years old. It sounds like baseball has always been in your blood. Has baseball always been your No. 1 sport?

“No, I’ve always played baseball. Baseball has been the main sport. My dad grew up as a football player and he tried me out in football a couple times, and I think he wanted me to play football, but I don’t think that was the sport for me. He’s the type that is just … whatever you’re going to play, just be as good as you can at it – and that was baseball.”

What is your fondest memory of growing up “all things baseball?”

“I’d have to say it’s probably winning a Gold Medal (Collins was a member of the USA Baseball 16U National Team in 2011) or a national championship in summer ball. I think winning the Gold Medal was the best. You’re playing for your country, and we beat Cuba in the Gold Medal game in Mexico.”

Other than USA Baseball, how many summer league programs have you played for?

“I grew up in summer ball probably with one team – it was an elite squad throughout my high school career. I’ve always played with the same kids growing up. A lot of them have moved on to big colleges or even the pros. I haven’t played with many teams; it’s been the elite squad, Team USA, and recently in the Cape.”

Since you’re playing all the time, do you get much of a chance to sit down and watch Major League Baseball?

“Not lately. We’ve been playing so much, and I’ve been working out so much, that you don’t really have the time. I see a lot of highlights and I like to watch certain players, but not really.”

When you need to get away from baseball, what do you like to do? What are your hobbies?

“I like to have fun with my dad. We actually do a lot of cool stuff together. We collect remote-control planes. A lot of people don’t know about it. Those are pretty fun to see those things fly. We’re into a bunch of stuff.”

I just read a story about you last night – that you have remote-control planes and cars and trucks.

“I used to be into jet skis and four-wheelers and all that kind of stuff. But once baseball got serious and I knew I had a chance to move on to the next level and make it a career, I got away from that stuff and stayed off the machines – and held the remote control in my hand and not get hurt.”

And you said that’s a “Dad and Me” sort of thing, right?

“Yeah, for sure. He’s pretty much my best friend. We spend a lot of time together.”

I also saw in that same story that you like to watch Nickelodeon.

“Yeah (laughter). My roommate for three years has been Willie Abreu. He likes Nickelodeon, and we’re both kids at heart. We don’t watch the little kid stuff, but we watch SpongeBob.”

I didn’t know if it was cartoons or Nick at Nite. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

“You know, we like Friends and all that kind of stuff.”

You seem comfortable doing interviews. How much of this stuff is exciting and how much is really a distraction?

“It’s not a distraction. It’s very exciting. Honestly, it’s humbling to talk to all these different people and have them want to talk to me. It’s just great knowing how many relationships you can build through the game. Just going through the process has been fun.”

I know Miami has been playing very well. Have you allowed yourself to think about what you’re going to do on the day of the draft?

“No. I’m trying to think about our next game. Every game is a big game for us right now. I’m trying to get my first (championship) there. Just taking it day-by-day.”

I’m not asking you to compare yourself to him, because you’re your own person, but it sounds like you’ve heard a lot of the same things people were saying about Kyle Schwarber. Big-time left-handed power – but he’ll have to move out from behind the plate. When I say that, do you want to hear that?

“It’s always good to be compared to a guy like that. Obviously, I love catching. I’ve worked on it for a long time now. But again, just like he did, whatever the team needs for me to do – or whatever the team thinks I would be best at – is what I’m going to do.”

To wrap this up, I do want to ask about the high school you graduated from – American Heritage School. There have been a bunch of guys drafted from American Heritage over the last 10-15 years (22 since 2001, according to Baseball-Reference.com). What kind of a baseball factory is it?

“It’s a powerhouse – not only in baseball, but in basketball and football, too. And even softball. That school has a ton of state championships, and they’re also well known for academics. I think it’s just a powerhouse school down here, to where everyone pretty much wants to go to it. It’s a really nice school. Good academics … good athletics. You couldn’t really ask for anything more. They don’t accept you unless you have the grades, too.”

So it sounds like you’ve had a pretty great experience the last few years between high school and college.

“Yes, for sure.”

– – –

Chuck Wasserstrom spent 25 years in the Chicago Cubs’ front office – 16 in Media Relations and nine in Baseball Operations. Now a freelance writer, his behind-the-scenes stories of his time in a big league front office can be found on www.chuckblogerstrom.com.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Buddy Reed (University of Florida) Interview: Draft Prospect Q&A

By Chuck Wasserstrom | May 12, 2016 at 10:35am CDT

MLBTR continues its Draft Prospect Q&A series in order to give our readers a look at some of the top names on the board in this year’s draft. MLBTR will be chatting with some of the draft’s most well-regarded prospects as they prepare for the 2016 draft on June 9-11; we’ve already spoken with prep outfielder Blake Rutherford, Mercer’s Kyle Lewis, Oklahoma’s Alec Hansen and Louisville’s Corey Ray.

Center fielder Buddy Reed is one of the more intriguing names in this year’s draft. The 6’4”, 207-pound University of Florida junior ranks as one of the top all-around players in college thanks to his speed and defensive ability, but the big question is how teams look at the switch-hitter’s bat.

Reed grew up just outside of Baltimore, where he was a well-regarded hockey player. He went to boarding school nearly seven hours from home at St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I. – a tiny school with a vast array of recognizable alums (the Bush family, the Vanderbilts, as well as many politicians and journalists). Reed went there on a hockey scholarship, where his coach was former Washington Capitals center Ryan Mulhern.

Reed, a 35th-round selection of the Texas Rangers in the 2013 draft, figures to be selected considerably higher this time around. Last week, Baseball America listed him No. 21 on its Top 100 Draft Prospects chart, and he’s currently 16th on the Top 100 at MLB.com. He leads Florida in runs scored (41) and stolen bases (22-for-24), including a straight steal of home April 22 against Georgia.

Reed and his No. 1-ranked Gators squad have a big SEC showdown series this weekend against No. 7 Vanderbilt. He talked with MLBTR earlier this week:

Chuck Wasserstrom: Hi Buddy, thanks for taking the time to talk with me. I’ll start out by saying there haven’t been a whole lot of Buddy Reed stories out there, but it looks like you have a pretty fascinating background. I’m going to start off with a couple baseball questions, then get into your story. There are some talented college outfielders out there right now. What makes you different?

Buddy Reed: “I haven’t been playing baseball as long or as seriously as other people in the SEC and other conferences around the country.”

I want to hear about Buddy Reed the player. Describe your game for me. I don’t want a scouting report that I can read on the internet. I want to hear you tell me about your game.

“I would describe myself as a streaky guy. I’m a tall guy who can bunt. I can get on base. I can steal second, third, and even home. I’m a threat on the base paths. I’m a threat from the outfield with my arm and my speed; I can track down a lot of balls. And I can hit.”

[Full interview after the page break]

I’m finding your background very intriguing. But first I’d like to know, how did you wind up “Buddy” when your given name is Michael?

“It started when I was first born. My mom always called me Buddy. From there, she just kept it – and it stuck.”

You landed in Gainesville after attending St. George’s School, a boarding school about seven hours from where you grew up. How did you wind up at a boarding school in the northeast?

“I got a scholarship for hockey. It was a small school – ninth grade through 12th grade, about 350-380 kids. We had (the Atlantic Ocean) across the street. It’s a prep school, so you get a lot of people who go on to Ivy League schools from there. Sports are starting to come along, but it’s really not a sports school. It’s more of an academic-based school, but sports are getting up to date. And it’s fun – it gives you that college experience and you’re away from home. You have to do everything on your own. The biggest thing is you create relationships with the people you meet. I’ve got friends from all over the country and the world since I went there. So it was pretty cool.”

There are some pretty strong alums from St. George’s, but not much from the athletic side. What would it be like if people said, “He came from our school?”

“That would be pretty cool. I haven’t been back there in a while, but I think that would be pretty cool. My hockey coach (Ryan Mulhern) played for the Washington Capitals. He went to St. George’s then went to Brown University before playing for the Capitals. That would be cool to be remembered as one of those guys who went to that school and made a name for himself in a pro sport – and to have had the athletic and academic support.

What position did you play in hockey?

“I played right wing, left wing, and center.”

So you played on the offensive side.

“Yes I was.”

You also played soccer. Offense there, too?

“Same there. I was an attacker.”

Growing up … hockey fan first, or a fan of all sports?

“I’m actually a fan of all sports. Growing up, I played hockey mostly – and soccer. I still watch hockey all the time. Whenever I get a chance to skate, I skate. I watch soccer – English Premier League, MLS. I play FIFA a lot. I’m a fan of the sports that I played. And I’m a fan of basketball, football – and baseball, obviously.”

You said you try to skate when you can. Do you get a chance to do that in Gainesville?

“No, usually when I’m home.”

Is it true at St. George’s that you went to school six days a week?

“Yes, six days – Monday through Saturday.”

The school’s official street address is listed as being on Purgatory Road. How tough was it there?

“It was different. Not everyone has to go to class six days a week. It wasn’t bad. We lived on campus. You would see the same people every day. It was a change, actually, from boarding school to college and getting that Saturday off. But it was fun. They got as much as they could out of us. You had to learn a lot more, I guess. Saturday, you just woke up and said, ’OK, I have to go to class.’ You still had the night off. The schedule worked out, because we had athletic competitions on Wednesdays and Saturdays – so they wanted us active in class on Saturday.”

I read about a famous Geronimo sloop that’s connected to St. George’s.

“The boat that goes from our school to the Bahamas.”

Did you get to do one of those voyages?

“No, I didn’t get to do it because I was playing a sport all three seasons. That was usually for people who didn’t play a sport – or for those who don’t play all three.”

You went there for hockey, but when did the shift begin toward baseball as a potential college scholarship sport for you?

“After my sophomore year, I played summer baseball and did one of those Perfect Game showcase things. I guess I decided I wanted to play soccer, hockey and baseball to see which one worked out for college.”

Did you have any hockey scholarship offers?

“I had a couple schools. The one that had the most interest was Providence.”

What about on the baseball side? Who was looking at you in addition to Florida?

“After I committed to Florida, there were other schools that wanted me like Texas and Texas Tech. But Florida stayed on top of me, and a lot of schools stopped talking to me. But I still got some late calls from some northern schools.”

When the Rangers drafted you in 2013, did you give them any serious consideration – or had you already decided you were going to college?

“I did a little bit, because I didn’t really know what the whole baseball draft process was like. I was so unsure what to expect so I gave it some consideration, but then I told my parents that I thought I’d develop more as a player and academically if I went to Florida for three or four years – and then hopefully get drafted higher after that.”

How much culture shock was it going from a school of under 400 students to one with nearly 50,000 students?

“It was pretty different. I didn’t know what to expect. The people that I met and the people that I’ve gotten to know really well have given me the opportunity that I probably wouldn’t have gotten if I had gone to a smaller school. It’s not just baseball; it’s building relationships with people in my mode here – communications. Baseball will only last so long for me. There’s a lot more to it after. It’s pretty cool meeting a lot of new people and seeing what the college experience has to offer.”

Tell me a little bit about your switch-hitting. Everything I’ve heard is that your swing mirrors itself pretty much the same from both sides of the plate.

“I’d say so. It depends on how I set up. It’s still a work in progress. For now, I’m just ‘See the ball, hit the ball.’ I try to keep it as simple as possible. If changes need to be made, I’ll make adjustments.”

Are you one of those players who looks in the mirror to visualize how you look from the other side?

“Yeah, definitely. And watching videos from my previous at-bats after practice.”

Is it true that your mom taught you to switch-hit?

“Yes, she did when I was growing up. I don’t remember how old I was, but she put up a tee and told me to hit from one side – and when I got tired, just hit from the other side. So I kept doing that.”

Quick question, since you’ve done both this year: Walk-off homer or straight steal of home?

“Oh jeez, that’s tough … I think the steal of home was pretty cool.”

What was going through your head in the game against Georgia when you got the sign?

“I was given the sign. The pitcher was pretty slow to the plate, and he was pitching from the windup. I knew I had to be aggressive. The pitcher started his motion and I got a big jump – and I slid in pretty easily. That was pretty big.”

What’s bigger for you – a highlight offensive play or a highlight defensive play?

“I’d say a defensive play. That’s more of a highlight, just because I like the things that hold off runs being scored.”

Any significance in your wearing No. 23?

“You know, everybody wants to be like Mike. Freshman year, it was available. Twenty-three – everyone likes it.”

Have you allowed yourself to think about what you’re going to do on the day of the draft?

“No, I’m not focusing on that at all. I’m focusing on winning – and doing whatever I can for the team to win. We’re all here supporting each other. Whether it’s my last go-around or not, I just want to win, and I want to have fun doing it. That’s what it really comes down to … having fun and being a good teammate … on-and-off the field … caring about the guys that I’ve met here. The draft isn’t a big concern; that will take care of itself. I just want to win a national championship.”

How close-knit is your team?

“We’re really close. Chemistry was one of the biggest things we put a lot of emphasis on going into this season. This is one of the closest teams I’ve ever been on. We hang out with each other all the time. We always have each other’s backs. We’re like brothers. It’s cool to see it, because I’m an only child. So it’s like I have 30 other brothers when I want to see them. We care for each other. We want to get the most out of each other. And that’s pretty cool.”

– – –

Photo courtesy of UAA Communications.

Blake Rutherford (Chaminade Prep) Interview: Draft Prospect Q&A

By Chuck Wasserstrom | April 26, 2016 at 11:46am CDT

MLBTR continues its Draft Prospect Q&A series in order to give our readers a look at some of the top names on the board in this year’s draft. MLBTR will be chatting with some of the draft’s most well-regarded prospects as they prepare for the 2016 draft on June 9-11; we’ve already spoken with Mercer’s Kyle Lewis, Oklahoma’s Alec Hansen and Louisville’s Corey Ray.

It’s wait-and-see time for Blake Rutherford. The left-handed-hitting centerfielder has been at the top of the prospect ranking charts all year – and figures to be among the first high school players selected in the June draft.

Rutherford, who attends Chaminade College Preparatory School in West Hills, CA, has been known in scout circles for years. In fact, he committed to UCLA as a freshman and played on the international stage last summer – earning a Gold Medal as a member of USA Baseball’s 18U world championship-winning team in Japan.

The 6’2 ½”, 195-pound Rutherford was recently called “the most advanced pure bat in the class, college or high school” by ESPN.com’s Keith Law – who ranks him as the draft’s No. 4 prospect. Rutherford began the spring as Baseball America’s No. 3 prospect, while MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has him coming in at No. 6. Rutherford took some time out to talk with MLBTR:

Chuck Wasserstrom: Your brother, Cole is a first baseman at Cornell University. What have you been learning about college from your brother?

Blake Rutherford: “He’s told me that college is a great experience. Obviously, it’s hard sometimes to juggle both school and baseball, and he’s at a real prestigious school in Cornell. But he’s having a great time … he loves it. He just said it’s a really good experience for him, and he’s happy that he went across the country to go play baseball so that he could get a whole other perspective on life.”

How much of that is going to play in your decision as to whether you’re going to go to UCLA?

“It probably won’t. I’m going to have to make my own decision as to what’s best for me. He made the decision what’s best for him. He got into a good school like Cornell to play baseball. UCLA is another amazing school where you can get a great education. But I’m going to have to wait and see what happens with the draft. I’ll talk to him about it. We’ll talk about everything. When it comes down to it, I’m going to sit down with my family and make a decision that’s best for me – like he did when he made the decision to go to Cornell.”

I want you to describe your game for me. I don’t want a scouting report that I can read online. I want to hear you tell me about your game. So, Blake, how would you describe Blake?

“I would describe my game as someone who can do all things on a baseball field. I truly believe I’m a five-tool player who has a very overall strong game. I feel like the main thing people have always talked about is my hitting, but I really feel like my fielding, my running and my throwing have all taken a huge step this year. I’m also someone who’s super competitive, and I’m not going to stop until I get what I want – which is winning. I’m just someone who’s passionate and loves to play the game, but stays calm and cool during all situations.”

For most readers not in California, you’re a name. What do you do on the field that makes you unique, or at least makes you stand out?

“The thing that makes me stand out is I can try to change the game with my bat, on the base paths or in the field. I can make a diving catch that can save runs or save a game. I can steal bases consecutively; I’ve stolen home a couple times. I have the ability to hit a home run, hit a ball in the gap or get the base hit to get a rally started.”

Your high school was selected to the play in the National High School Invitational last month in North Carolina – where you went 9-for-14 facing some of the elite high school pitchers in this country. What was that experience like?

“That experience was unbelievable. USA Baseball did an amazing job putting us up and getting us around and getting the fields ready. But the competition out there was crazy. Every team had a couple guys on the mound that could deal. A lot of teams had hitters 1-through-9 that could absolutely mash. We knew going into it that we were going to have to play our best games. We did for three games, but in the fourth game we kind of ran out of energy and a couple things went the other way. I was really happy with how we did as a team. My performance individually … I was pretty happy with it because it helped my team win a couple of those games.

Baseball-wise, you’ve played on some pretty big stages already and done some pretty neat things like playing overseas. What stands out for you?

“This last summer, going to Japan (with the 18U USA Baseball national team) – I think that really stands out. We faced some adversity. We lost a couple exhibition games. We lost an earlier game to Japan. So we were kind of down a little bit. Then we came together as a team and bonded. We really got super close and we were able to pull it off. We came from behind in three or four of those games. And then to be able to defeat Japan in their big stadium in front of all their fans for the Gold Medal – that’s something I’ll probably never forget.”

To get there, you needed a 9th-inning rally against South Korea in the tournament opener – and you hit a clutch go-ahead three-run homer.

“We started the inning with a Will Benson walk. And then Hagen Danner had a pinch-hit double to set it up. Second-and-third, no outs … I knew somehow I had to get one run in. Their pitcher had thrown me all fastballs. I fouled a couple off. It got to 3-and-2, and I just got the barrel to the ball and it took off. At first, I didn’t know if it was gone; it’s kind of hard to hit the ball out of the park there. I never saw it go over. I just heard the crowd go crazy. And I saw the runners stop running – so I knew it must have gone out. I remember that I felt happy because we were now winning, but I wasn’t out of control or too excited because I knew South Korea still had to come up to hit – and they had a couple good hitters. Luckily, we were able to get a couple more insurance runs.”

You won the Gold Medal there, and as a result – your team was honored prior to Game Four of the World Series last fall (at Citi Field in New York). How amazing was that?

“That was so exciting. Not only were we at the World Series, but it was the first time the USA players had gotten together (since Japan). So we were just hanging out and loving every second of it. But just going on the field and meeting a lot of the guys and seeing the atmosphere of the World Series. It made all of us want to make it that much more.”

Growing up in Southern California, what are your favorite things to do?

“Obviously, going to the beach … Hanging out with my friends … Anything competitive. We might go hit on the local baseball field or go laser tagging. Me and my brother always grew up super competitive. We have a lot of friends who are competitive. So we ended up playing baseball or football. There was always some activity going on outside.”

Read on for more after the break …

What about a favorite baseball team?

“The Yankees.”

I was expecting a California team. I’ll ask … Why?

“I was born in New Jersey. I didn’t live there that long, but I was born there, and my favorite player growing up was Derek Jeter. So growing up watching him play, I just loved the Yankees.”

Obviously, different positions, but do you try to pattern yourself after his game in any way?

“I played shortstop until I was in eighth grade, so we played the same position for a long time. From three years old until 14, I played shortstop. Then I made the transition to the outfield. But I do pattern my game after him. The way he carried himself. Obviously, we hit a little different and have different stances, but I don’t think you pattern a mental game any better than Derek Jeter … the way he carried himself in the biggest moments in baseball and really in sports.”

You seem really comfortable doing this interview. Is this really natural for you, or is it because it’s the draft year?

“I’m pretty comfortable with it. When I committed to UCLA as a freshman, I had to do some interviews. It seems like every year, there are more and more interviews. I don’t feel a whole lot of pressure during this situation. I love getting to talk to people and like talking about the whole process and everything that’s been going on. It’s not something that I’ve really been uncomfortable with. It’s something I’m becoming more comfortable with, and I’m grateful. If I do get lucky enough that I am drafted and I sign, the media is a big part of what baseball is.”

Have you allowed yourself to think about the draft, or is it something you’re trying to keep at the back of your brain?

“There’s times when I’ll start thinking about it, then I’m like ‘You can’t start thinking about it. There’s a long season to go.’ But now, my main focus is winning the Mission League championship. There’s times when all of a sudden I’ll start thinking about it. Really, it’s in the back of my head. I’m not going to think about it until June 9. I’ll catch myself at times. Other than that, I’m just going to keep working hard and hopefully make a team want me enough to draft me.”

I’m guessing you do hear what people say. If you do get picked as high as it sounds like you will, is college an option for you? Has that decision been made?

“We honestly haven’t made a decision. We really haven’t talked about it yet. My family and I aren’t going to talk about it until my season ends. And then we’ll decide what the best situation is. I’m just going to have to wait and see what happens. Obviously, I want to play professional baseball. That’s my dream. I think that’s every kid’s dream who really loves baseball. So I really want that. But I have to wait and see what happens.”

– – –

Kyle Lewis (Mercer University) Interview: Draft Prospect Q&A

By Chuck Wasserstrom | April 21, 2016 at 10:33am CDT

MLBTR continues its Draft Prospect Q&A series in order to give our readers a look at some of the top names on the board in this year’s draft. MLBTR will be chatting with some of the draft’s most well-regarded prospects as they prepare for the 2016 draft on June 9-11; we’ve already spoken with Oklahoma’s Alec Hansen and Louisville’s Corey Ray.

Centerfielder Kyle Lewis is doing everything he can to put himself and Mercer University on the baseball map. The 6’4”, 210-pound junior has scouts flocking to Macon, GA, to watch the Southern Conference star play – and was named to the Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List this week.

Undrafted out of high school, the Snellville, GA, product burst onto the scene during the summer of 2014 by earning Great Lakes League Player of the Year honors. Last year, he nearly won the Southern Conference Triple Crown (batting .367 with 17 homers and 56 RBI) before putting together a stellar summer in the Cape Cod League.

Lewis entered the 2016 season ranking as the No. 8 overall prospect for the draft according to both MLB.com and Baseball America. Last week, ESPN.com’s Keith Law listed him as the seventh-best prospect for the draft, calling him “an athletic centerfielder with real power in his wrists. That’s a rarity in the draft for a position player who projects to stay up the middle.”

Lewis began this week ranking in the national Top 5 in homers, total bases, RBI, slugging percentage, walks, on-base percentage, runs scored and batting average. He took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with MLBTR:

Chuck Wasserstrom: Let’s start out by talking about Mercer – which isn’t exactly a baseball hotbed. You have the chance to become the first 1st-round pick in school history. Is that important to you?

Kyle Lewis: “Yes it is. It would be something exciting to say that I came from a small school and accomplish that type of thing. I take a lot of pride in being able to represent my school and be one of the faces for the school. So that would be something definitely exciting for me.”

Can you tell me a little bit about your baseball background? You went undrafted out of high school. Is it safe to say you played other sports growing up?

“I played baseball, but I played a lot more basketball. That was kind of my big thing – playing basketball coming up. I played baseball as well during the season, but I never played any summer baseball or anything like that until going into my senior year of high school. That year, I played my first year of full travel baseball – and I was able to have some success in that. So going into my senior year, I started picking up training and things like that in order to start working on my skills and be able to pursue a college scholarship and potentially get drafted.”

What types of things were you doing during the summer instead of playing travel baseball?

“I played basketball in the summer time. So I had to make a choice which one I wanted to play in college. After talking to some people around the baseball world, they told me if I was to practice more year-round and hone in on my skills, that I’d be able to be a pretty good player. That’s when I decided to commit to it.”

You had decisions to make in high school between pursuing paths in either basketball or baseball. How serious were you about going the basketball route in college?

“We had received interest calls in basketball. The Naval Academy was one of the bigger ones who wanted me to play for them. I did some workouts for mid-major schools. But after the season I went ahead and told my basketball coach to cancel those. At that point, I wanted to concentrate on baseball.”

So now you’ve decided you were going to play baseball in college. What other schools were showing you interest?

“Furman … Georgia State … Kennesaw State … Savannah State … and the University of Miami came on kind of late.”

It sounds like mostly schools closer to home.

“It was just a lot of local schools. By the time I got on the scene, most schools were already working on their next class and were done with my class. So it was tough to get interest from the major schools unless I would pursue a walk-on spot. But I wanted the scholarship, so I settled for the mid-major.”

Nothing wrong with that. You had your opportunity and ran with it.

“I tried to go where I’d be able to play and be able to get on the field and be a priority guy. That’s the biggest thing as far as picking a college. Where are you going to be able to learn and be able to pick up on stuff? Where are you going to be able to play? And I felt like Mercer presented a good opportunity for that as well as being able to potentially make regionals and play on a national stage.”

Your freshman year, you went through the typical first-year growing pains. Then things kind of exploded for you last year – and you never looked back. What happened?

“Going into my freshman year, I had to learn to sit on the bench and watch. I never had to do that before. A lot of that stuff was a mental challenge for me. I had to figure out how to learn and how to observe games from the sideline. I had to figure out what to do when my number was called. I got a lot of pinch-hit opportunities and a lot of pinch-running opportunities. Towards the end of the year, I started to figure it out – and I was able to start the last ten games. Going into that summer, I had a lot of momentum – and I was able to carry that momentum into the summer. I played in the Great Lakes League after my freshman year, and I was able to do really well up there. And I got called up to the Cape Cod League to play in the playoffs. That just gave me the confidence that I needed going into my sophomore year – when you saw the explosion.”

I’d have to think that sitting and watching as a freshman helped you learn the game, although I’m guessing you hated it at the time.

“(Laughing) Yeah, yeah, yeah. I definitely hated it. But from talking to people and talking to my family, they just said I should just see what guys ahead of you are doing that you’re not doing. Or what are they doing as far as preparation and extra work and things like that. And I was fortunate to watch a lineup full of seniors, so I was able to look up to guys who were 23 years old and had been through it. And they had made it to regionals. I was able to pick up on their tendencies and see what they do, and I was able to apply it to my own game.”

Growing up in Georgia, were you a big Braves fan?

“Yes I was – back when they had Andruw Jones and Chipper Jones.”

Those were your guys?

“Those were definitely my guys.”

Anybody growing up that you tried to model yourself after?

“The biggest person in high school that I watched was Adam Jones. I started watching him my junior year … just sit there watching YouTube videos of him. Then I’d try to embody myself after that as much as I could. I like the way he plays. I like the way he carries himself.”

Is he someone you want to be compared to?

“I think it’s kind of comparable as far as an athletic centerfielder with a smooth swing. I wouldn’t say that I try to be exactly like him, because I want to be my own person. But I can say that would be a nice comparison to have.”

I’ve also seen you called a right-handed version of Jason Heyward.

“I can see that. I like to take pride in my defense as well, and I think it’s overlooked sometimes. But I definitely take pride in my defense.”

[Continue reading after the break for more.]

Photo courtesy of Mercer University.

I know it’s hard to project, but where do you see yourself a few years down the line both position-wise and in the batting order?

“I see myself in centerfield and batting 3-4-5 in the order – maybe 2, if needed. But definitely somewhere in the middle of the order. I see myself as a game changer.”

I want to go back to your sophomore year, when things started clicking. What changed for you, other than now having some experience?

“For me, it was all becoming a student of the game. I started to understand how to influence counts. Understand when to look for certain pitches. Before that, I was just up there swinging and trying to let my athleticism work. Being able to expect what pitches were coming on certain counts, and what pitchers were trying to do to you based on your last couple at-bats. And being able to make adjustments pitch-to-pitch.”

Then you went to Cape Cod, you were now using a wood bat, and the momentum continued. Baseballs must have been looking like grapefruits to you – and nothing changed. Does that sound about right?

“Yeah. Wood bats are bats. You swing them the same way. I was fortunate to get some good quality wood from some of my teammates, which helped. I don’t try to think that there’s a difference between a wood and a metal bat. You just have to swing it and find the barrel.”

I know the draft is a couple months away – and you’ve never been through the draft process before – but is it hard not to think about the draft?

“I think it’s something you definitely think about. It’s not a secret or anything. It’s something you discuss. Every game, I just try to get locked into the moment and locked into the task at hand – which is to try to do as good as I can each day. At the end of the day, nothing is solidified. Nothing is set in stone. So I’m going out there every day and perform to the best of my abilities and try to help my team win games. If we win games, we get to play longer. That’s how I try and look at it. But it’s definitely something I think about – but you can’t let it overwhelm you.”

You sound really grounded, and you’re definitely driven. Was there a point where you decided ‘I want to be a high-round draft pick?”

“Absolutely. Once I went up to the Great Lakes League and got the Player of the Year there, I started to feel like I could really be something special. At that point, I really started to believe in myself. I really started to hone in on figuring out what the best guys are doing from a work standpoint. I started to look up what major league players were doing in their (batting practice) routines. I needed to start to embody that and pick up on that type of stuff. At that point, that’s where I started to see my work ethic go up.”

Confidence is good, isn’t it!

“Yes it is. Confidence is a big thing.”

If you are indeed a first-round draft pick, how exciting is it going to be to receive that phone call?

“I honestly can’t even imagine the feeling. But if I’m fortunate enough for that to happen, my family will be right there with me. And everybody who has been there from the beginning will be there. We’ll all be there celebrating … You always want to be a first-round pick. That’s definitely the dream. You never know how things go, but that’s definitely what I’m shooting for.”

– – –

Photo courtesy of Mercer Athletics.

Alec Hansen (Oklahoma) Interview: Draft Prospect Q&A

By Chuck Wasserstrom | April 19, 2016 at 9:18am CDT

MLBTR continues its Draft Prospect Q&A series, which gives readers a look at some of the top names on the board in this year’s draft. MLBTR will be chatting with some of the draft’s most well-regarded prospects as they prepare for the 2016 draft on June 9-11.

University of Oklahoma right-handed pitcher Alec Hansen hasn’t played up to his potential in 2016, but remains an intriguing prospect. At the beginning of the spring, he was rated third on MLB.com’s Draft Prospect Watch and No. 9 on Baseball America’s Top 100 in March. But ESPN’s Keith Law recently wrote that “Hansen was a potential 1-1 guy (top draft pick) going into the school year, missed fall ball with a forearm injury, lost his rotation spot after a dismal start to the season and now could slip out of the first round.”

Hansen says he’s healthy – and that his junior year struggles could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. He’s still going through the growing pains of pitching – as he’s still getting bigger. Despite an uneven season, teams are interested in pitchers who stand 6-foot-8 and can throw 99 MPH. He took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with MLBTR earlier this week and was honest about his 2016 campaign – after a little family talk:

Chuck Wasserstrom: I’m going to start out by throwing some names at you. Nick Hansen swam at Iowa State and later coached at Wisconsin. Debbie Hansen swam at Wisconsin. Eric Hansen swam at Iowa State and later coached at the University of Arizona. Brooke Hansen is a freshman swimmer at Texas. Obviously, if Dad, Mom, Uncle and Sister have all done it, then it’s a family business. How did you miss out on that?

Alec Hansen: “I was a big-time swimmer growing up, and when I got to middle school I was playing other travel sports, too. I started liking the other sports better. I played baseball. I played basketball. I played football. Swimming was one of those sports where it’s the same thing every day. It was monotonous. So by the time I was in middle school I just was more interested in football, basketball and baseball.”

Back in 2013, you were selected by the Rockies in the 25th round of the draft, but you’re the son of a pair of one-time Division I athletes. Was there ever really a chance you would have turned pro, or did Mom and Dad sort of make it a slam dunk that you would be going to college?

“With them both being college athletes, they got to experience it. That’s what they wanted for me – to experience going to college and being part of a team. That’s why they wanted me to go to college. That’s an experience that lasts a lifetime, and you learn a lot from it. I’m really glad that I went to college after high school. Especially OU. I love OU.”

Did you really give much consideration about signing out of high school?

“I talked to my parents about it. We came up with an amount of money that – if I got that offer – that I should take it and play professionally. It would have been worth it if I got that much money. If I didn’t that offer, I would go to school. I didn’t get the amount of money that I was asking for, so I went to school. Now that I went to school, I see why they wanted me to go to college. Now that I look back at it, I should have asked for even more money, because you can’t put a dollar amount on the experience and the people you meet in college.”

Why did you pick Oklahoma?

“Of all the choices I had, the one that stood out to me was Oklahoma. It was a school that I always liked and wanted to go to growing up. Things just fell into place and worked out. Once I came out and visited OU, I made my decision pretty quickly.”

Turning to 2016 … obviously, this hasn’t been the easiest year for you.

“Not everything is always perfect. I’m not a person who gets too up or down about anything in life. Yes, it’s been frustrating. But it hasn’t changed who I am. I still work hard. I know this is all a process, and I’m still going to get a lot of opportunities to develop. My overall goal is not to be a first-round draft pick … it’s to make it to the big leagues.”

Can you talk about this year, and how much you’ll be able to grow off it?

“I think this is just something a lot of guys go through at any level. I know it happens at the professional level. You have expectations, but you’re not performing. It just becomes a battle – and you have to learn to overcome it. Maybe this could be a blessing in disguise. It could be a good thing for me. I haven’t pitched a lot now, so I’ll be able to go out and throw a lot this summer.”

I’d like to talk about your game a little bit. The scouting report is a plus fastball sitting 94-97 and touching 99, plus slider, above average curveball, makings of average changeup. How accurate would you call that report?

“I’d call that accurate. I’ve always thrown hard. My off-speed has always been pretty good. It’s just a matter of putting it all together. I think the more opportunities and experience I get to pitch in game settings, then it will all fall into place.”

[Continue reading after the break for more.]

Photo courtesy of OU Athletics Communications.

You’re 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, and you can reach 99 MPH. How uncomfortable do you want batters to be in the box when they face you?

“I think part of my problem sometimes is that I’m my own biggest competitor. Sometimes, I get so caught up in competing against myself … I don’t worry too much about the batter. I know if I could do what I’m capable of doing, then their chances aren’t very good.”

You have to step back and just play pitch-and-catch. Just throw the ball to the glove.

“Yeah.”

A person I’ve seen you compared to in some stories is Jon Gray of the Rockies. Do you agree with that?

“I’ve never really seen him pitch, but I’ve heard the comparisons. Everyone says we both throw hard and both have a hard slider, so I guess I’d be comparable. Another one I’ve heard is Lucas Giolito with the Nationals. I’ve watched him pitch. I feel like I look more like him.”

Have there been particular pitchers you’d like to model yourself after?

“I really like watching Matt Harvey pitch. It’s kind of hard not to like watching him pitch. I like his demeanor during the game. How he is on and off the field. I like his style.”

How would you describe his style?

“I feel like he’s a little Hollywood, but not too much – if that makes sense.”

How much does his success drive you?

“He was in the same position I’m in not too long ago. It just shows you that it’s possible if you put your mind to it.”

Have you been looking ahead at all to this year’s draft, or have you been trying not to worry about it right now?

“I think I did prior to the start of the season and a little bit during the season. But now, I’m kind of just trying to worry about the team. Just having fun with the team … trying to win as many games as we can … doing whatever I can to help the team out. I’m not worried about the draft right now. Whatever happens happens. I can’t really do anything about it other than do as good as I can.”

You said you’re back throwing. Everything feel good?

“Yes. I threw (Tuesday) and I felt great. And I threw great, too, so hopefully I’ll get more chances to get back on the mound.”

Arm’s good? Head’s good?

“Yes. All good.”

– – –

Corey Ray (Louisville) Interview: Draft Prospect Q&A

By Chuck Wasserstrom | April 13, 2016 at 12:19pm CDT

MLBTR is re-launching its Draft Prospect Q&A series in order to give our readers a look at some of the top names on the board in this year’s draft. MLBTR will be chatting with some of the draft’s most well-regarded prospects as they prepare for the 2016 draft on June 9-11.

University of Louisville center fielder Corey Ray is rated among the top position players available in this year’s draft. In a recent mock draft, Baseball America has Ray going sixth overall.

At 6’0″, 200 pounds, Ray made a name for himself in 2015 with a strong sophomore season for Louisville, recording a .325/.389/.543 batting line with 11 homers and 34 stolen bases. Over the summer, the left-handed batter led the U.S. collegiate national team in extra-base hits (nine), OPS (.971) and steals (11). After Louisville’s weekend series against ACC rival Florida State, the 21-year-old is hitting .331/.396/.624 with 20 extra-base hits (including nine homers), 38 RBI and 28 steals as the Cardinals’ leadoff batter.

According to MLBPipeline.com’s Jonathan Mayo, Ray is “the epitome of the college performer. He just hits. He’s got some power. He’s performed well. If he continues to do that, he should be a guy who easily can go in the Top 10.” Keith Law and Eric Longengagen of ESPN.com rated Ray third among draft prospects yesterday, praising his blend of power and speed.

Ray arrived on the Louisville campus after a stellar prep career at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago. Over his own objections, he went the college route after being selected in the 33rd round of the 2013 draft. Ray was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk with MLBTR this week.

Chuck Wasserstrom: I know the draft is a couple months away – and you’ve been through the draft process before – but is it hard not to think about the draft right now?

Corey Ray: “No, it’s not hard, because I’m in a college season. As a high Division 1 program, we have goals. And we want to accomplish those goals first and foremost. I put the team before myself.”

I like that answer. Let’s go back to 2013. You were selected by the Mariners in the 33rd round of the draft, but your dad (also named Corey Ray) put his foot down and said you were going to college. Can you talk about how those conversations went down?

“They were intense. As a baseball player and as an African-American from the south side of Chicago, you love playing sports. The idea that you get paid to do it is a dream come true. That dream was knocking on my door, and those were some pretty tough conversations with my father. He told me I wasn’t ready. All I was seeing was the dollar amount and not the big picture in the long term.”

How hard was it for you to say ‘No’ to the Mariners?

“Very hard … I think I may have teared up a little bit.”

You have said your dad was right. Can you tell me how the Louisville experience has changed you?

“I think it’s made me a baseball player. I came here and I had some talent, but I didn’t know how to play the game. I didn’t know what hard work was. Being here under Coach Mac (Dan McDonnell) has taught me what hard work was. The players I have played with here have taught me what hard work was – and they taught me the game as well. It has also made me a more mature person – being in college … being on my own … finding out what it takes to be successful at this level.”

Why did you choose Louisville?

“It was close to home, but not too close. My grandparents and my father can come and see me play when we have weekend series, but they can’t come up here every day. They can’t surprise me. I have enough distance between my parents and here that I feel like I’m on my own, but I see them enough not to get homesick.”

For people who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe Corey Ray as a baseball player?

“Versatile … can play all three outfield positions … can steal a base … can hit the ball in gap … if you make a mistake, can hit the ball over the fence. But I also can grind out at-bats and see pitches. Whatever that needs to be done, I can do it.”

You made the huge jump forward your sophomore year, and then had a big summer campaign. You’ve followed up on that with a strong junior season. What do you see as the turning point in your college career?

“I think the turning point for me was, at the end of my freshman season, just being able to play and being able to get reps. But I think one of the best things for me was going to the Cape Cod League after my freshman year. I wasn’t as successful as you’d like to be as a hitter, but the reps … I saw the best pitching that college baseball has to offer day in and day out. You learn what you can and cannot do on the baseball field. You learn the flaws and the advantages of your swing. I think I learned a lot about myself as a baseball player from just being unsuccessful in the Cape.”

But you also got to see a lot of quality players and use a wood bat, so you were learning how the pro game is played.

“You’re playing with some of the best players in college baseball and you’re playing against some of the best players in college baseball. So I tried to pick up some things that other players do that I didn’t do that could possibly help me with my game.”

The old speed or strength question … Do you see yourself as more a leadoff hitter or a middle of the lineup batter?

“Leadoff hitter… I love leadoff. I practically had to beg Coach Mac to lead me off this year. Just being that table setter … I think in the leadoff spot I can be more dangerous because when I’m on base and there aren’t any out, I can pick which pitches to steal and what situation I want to steal in.”

Being a leadoff hitter all the time now, have you taken a different approach to the plate? Your strikeout total (17 in more than 150 plate appearances this season) rivals your walk total (16).

“Definitely. Not just because I’m the leadoff hitter, but because I want to grow as a hitter. I think I’ve become more mature. I’m starting to learn what pitches I hit best and what pitches I can’t hit. And what pitches to swing at early in the count and which pitches not to. I also think that can be attributed to being more comfortable hitting with two strikes. Last year, I wasn’t as comfortable and I’d swing early in the count. I would get myself out sometimes, or with two strikes – I’d sometimes swing at anything thrown. Now, I’m able to work counts with two strikes and get a better pitch to hit.”

Defensively, if you’re given a choice, what position do you think you should play?

“Center field.”

Why center field?

“I think it’s the easiest of all three positions, but there’s more ground to cover. You’re the leader of the outfield. That’s the premier position to play. I think my speed and my jumps and my defensive ability profiles better in center field than the corners.”

But you’ll play anywhere they tell you.

“Yes sir. As long as I’m in the lineup.”

As a Chicago native, I have to ask you this question: Cubs fan or White Sox fan?

“I like them both. Growing up, I lived close to [U.S. Cellular Field] and went to a lot of White Sox games – and I like the White Sox. But before my senior year in high school, I was blessed with the opportunity to play in the (Under Armour) All-American Game at Wrigley Field. Just being in that clubhouse and playing on that field … the history from that ballpark, you can’t not like a team like the Chicago Cubs. It doesn’t hurt that they could win the World Series this year.”

What was it like being on a Major League field?

“I’ve been on a few different Major League fields before, but the two that stand out to me most are Fenway Park and Wrigley, just because of the history. They’re old, but they have that historic feel. You can just tell you’re in some place special.”

Speaking of Fenway, I know you’ve listed former Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury as someone you model your game after. Are there other players that you look up to?

“Yes, Jacoby Ellsbury … definitely. Oregon State … two national championships … first round pick … Boston Red Sox. He’s made a lot of money in his career, and he’s done it in many ways. By stealing bases. By defending. He also hit third for the Yankees one year. He can hit the long ball. He’s very versatile. And then there’s Curtis Granderson. He’s from Chicago. I’ve talked to him a lot. He’s a mentor of mine. He’s a great guy. If I can have the career Curtis Granderson has had, I’d be pretty happy. I’ve also been watching a lot of videos on Tony Gwynn. One of the best hitters to ever play … the way that he did it was amazing.”

Your Louisville bio includes the phrase “the greatest influence on his career is his grandfather because of his support.” Tell me about your grandfather (Earnest, his paternal grandfather).

“Growing up, I can probably count on two hands the number of games my granddad missed. And that includes playing out of the state and all over the country. He’s the reason I started watching baseball more. I’ve always liked playing it, but I’ve learned a lot about baseball by just watching it. I remember times when I was younger when we’d just sit down and watch whole White Sox games on back-to-back days. I could always count on him to be in the stands if I had a baseball game, cheering me on, telling me to hit the ball. He made it known from an early age that, if you want to do this, you have to work hard to do it. It’s possible if you work hard enough.”

I’ve read stories about your dad getting you started in baseball at a young age.

“His co-worker started a baseball team, and they needed one extra player. My dad signed me up and they stuck me in center field. The rest is history. My dad always told me that whatever it is you want to do, you’ve got to work harder. You’re not only going against the people in your area in Chicago or even the Midwest, you’re going against everybody else in the country. He always told me that there’s someone out there trying to take your spot. And that guy’s working hard, so you have to work harder to keep up. He would tell me to go and run the hill. The ironic thing is he would never watch me. He said ‘if you’re working hard and you’re really doing what you’re supposed to do, it will really show on the field. So I don’t have to watch the process. I want to watch the result.’ ”

If you don’t mind, tell me a little bit about this legendary hill (a 40-foot-high hill at Robichaux Park in Chicago).

“There’s a hill that was basically behind my house that I would run on. I would run sprints up it and run sprints down it. Do some push-ups. And then run a 50-yard sprint. At the end, run up the hill and sprint down backwards. Some agility, some speed, some conditioning.”

Did you do it by yourself or with friends?

“I did it by myself. Sometimes I would take my puppy to run with me (laughing).”

There hasn’t been a city of Chicago product picked in the draft’s Top 10 since 1989. Do you think about that at all? Is that a goal for you?

“I think a goal for me is to play the game of baseball as long as I can and to give back to Chicago baseball as much as I can, whether that be as a Top 10 pick or being just a draft pick at all. To be able to get into professional baseball and hopefully to get into Major League Baseball and leave my mark on Chicago baseball – to be an ambassador for Chicago baseball.”

So if you are a high draft pick, will your dad be OK if you turn pro?

(Laughing) “Definitely. I don’t think he’s the decision maker this time.”

Does he know that?

“Yes. He knows.”

– – –

Photo courtesy of University of Louisville Sports Information.

Q&A With MLB Draft Prospect Scott Kingery

By Zachary Links | June 7, 2015 at 12:45pm CDT

The 2015 MLB Draft begins on Monday, June 8th and runs until Wednesday, June 10th. In anticipation of the draft, MLBTR caught up with University of Arizona second baseman Scott Kingery, one of the most highly regarded players in this year’s class.

Tomorrow night, Arizona second baseman Scott Kingery will be waiting to hear his name called from Secaucus, New Jersey. Just three years ago, few could have imagined that Kingery would be in line to be a Day 1 draft pick or to even get drafted at all. Kingery was a very solid player coming out of Phoenix, Arizona’s Mountain Pointe High School, but he was overlooked by schools largely because he was only 5’7″ tall.

Kingery arrived at the University of Arizona as a walk-on, made the team, and started really making a name for himself in his sophomore year. An awful lot has changed over the last three years – not just Kingery’s stature. Today, he is rated as the No. 25 draft prospect in the country by ESPN.com’s Keith Law, No. 40 by Baseball America, and No. 42 by Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. Kingery took some time out of his busy schedule late last week to chat with MLB Trade Rumors about his career at Arizona, his draft stock, and his MLB future.

Zach Links: It’s pretty rare to see a college walk-on go on to become a top draft prospect. In 2012, did you think you’d be in this position today?

Scott Kingery: Definitely not. That’s not something that I had in mind going into my freshman year, especially as a walk-on player. I didn’t have a spot on the roster yet for sure, so at that point, I was just trying to find a spot on the team.

It was pretty late in the summer when an assistant coach came down to watch me play in a tournament. They offered me a recruited walk-on spot, which means that you have a place on the fall roster but nothing is guaranteed for the spring roster. So, I wasn’t thinking about the majors at all at that point.

ZL: Did you consider taking scholarship offers from other schools, whether it was D-I or D-II?

SK: I was committed to going to a junior college in Arizona, but other than that, I didn’t have any D-I, D-II, or D-III offers for baseball. So, it was pretty much go to junior college or just take my chances at Arizona.

ZL: You turned the corner in a big way from your freshman year to your sophomore year. What changed for you?

SK: I think each year you play in the Pac-12 you just get a little bit more confident. I gained experience and I learned a lot. I think in your first year as a freshman you come in and don’t know what to expect. The level of play from high school to college increases so much. But, I learned more and more each year and built off of that.

ZL: Your double play partner, Kevin Newman, is considered to be one of the very best draft prospects in this year’s class. Did you feel like you’ve pushed each other over the years to excel?

SK: Yeah, when I was in the outfield the first few years I didn’t spent that much time with him. Now I’m at second base and we push each other and that helps us play better. This year he become one of my roommates and that’s when I realized how truly competitive we are with each other. Literally everything is a competition between us.

ZL: How does that competitive spirit between the two of you manifest itself off the field?

SK: If it’s video games, we’re competing. One night we were mini golfing and it got intense. We started even having competitions in the weight room and seeing who could get to school the fastest.

ZL: You played second base while at Arizona but there has been talk of your skills translating to shortstop. Could you see yourself playing shortstop at the big league level? How comfortable are you at shortstop?

SK: Since I haven’t been there in a few years, I think it would take some getting used to again. But that was my home all through high school. College is the only time I haven’t played there really…I think I could definitely play shortstop. I think a lot of teams want to see me try that out, too. If it doesn’t work, they can always throw me back to second base.

ZL: Do you have a preference between playing shortstop or second base?

SK: I’ve always loved playing shortstop more but playing second base isn’t too bad either.

ZL: Why do you like playing shortstop more?

SK: I don’t know why, but that’s just always been where I’ve been the most comfortable. I grew up playing that position and I just want to get back over there. When you’re at shortstop you feel like you’re kind of in the head role, kind of captain on the field. I’d like to get back to that.

ZL: There always seems to be skepticism surrounding shorter players, even when they’ve proven their ability time and time again like you have. Do you feel like any concern about you being under 6-feet tall is overblown?

SK: At this point, I don’t think that’s gonna come into play, but that was definitely one of the big reasons why I didn’t get a scholarship offer out of high school. I was 5’7″, 150 pounds heading into college so I think everyone saw that small stature and they didn’t want to take a chance. Now, I think I’ve proven myself over multiple years so I don’t think that my small stature matters much. Also, I’m 5’10.5″ now and I’ve put on 25 or 30 pounds, so it’s a different story.

ZL: What are you hearing about where you might get drafted?

SK: It’s kind of all over the place, but I’ve been hearing and reading that it could be somewhere in the No. 20-50 range. Hopefully I’ll get drafted towards the top of that, but, we’ll see. Anything can happen.

ZL: What do you think sets you apart from other middle infielders in this class?

SK: I’ve proven that I can hit at multiple levels. I did it in college and I did it in the Cape Cod league. That, along with my speed, sets me apart. I’ve shown that I can create havoc on the basepaths with my speed and my bat really just improved each year at Arizona. I also got even more comfortable with my range this year and I made things happen on defense as well.

ZL: What’s the main thing you want to work on?

SK: I want to work on my footwork at second base because that can always get better. I also want to make sure that I stay aggressive at second base. It’s a short throw so sometimes you can find yourself getting complacent and sitting back on a ball rather than getting the right hop. I like to be aggressive and get right to the ball.

ZL: Last summer in the Cape Cod League, you showed that you can still rake with a wooden bat. Do you sense that has helped your draft stock somewhat?

SK: Definitely. The top players in college are in the Cape Cod league so going there, facing that pitching, and putting up some good numbers really shows the scouts that I have a good swing and that it doesn’t matter if I’m swinging wood or metal.

ZL: Everyone loves to compare draft prospects to current players. What major league player would you say that your skill set is similar to?

SK: I’d say I’m something like Ian Kinsler, with a little bit more speed.

ZL: What are your plans for draft night?

SK: I’m just going to have some friends and family over. We’ll be watching on TV with everyone else, waiting to see what happens.

Draft Prospect Q&A: Braxton Davidson

By Steve Adams | June 5, 2014 at 9:30am CDT

MLBTR is re-launching its Draft Prospect Q&A series this season in order to give our readers a look at some of the top names on the board in this year’s draft. MLBTR will be chatting with some of the draft’s most well-regarded prospects over the next couple of weeks as they prepare for the 2014 draft on June 5-7.

In a draft that’s light on impact college bats, many clubs will be looking toward the high school ranks in search of adding some thump to their lineup down the road, and first baseman/outfielder Braxton Davidson of T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, N.C., figures to be one of the top prep bats off the board in the 2014 draft.

The 6’3″, 215-pound Davidson boasts a strong left-handed swing and the ability to drive the ball to all fields, per scouting reports. Both Baseball America and MLB.com rank him 36th among draft prospects, while ESPN’s Keith Law is even more bullish, pegging him as the No. 16 prospect in the 2014 draft class.

Davidson’s pop drew quite a bit of attention at last June’s Tournament of the Stars, as noted by both BA and MLB.com in their scouting reports. He set a tournament record with three homers in four games, including one that traveled an estimated 500 feet. BA notes that improvements in his hit tool this season may have that tool ahead of his power in game action, and Law notes that he has “no wasted motion” in his swing when he’s at his best.

Davidson was kind enough to take some time out of a very busy schedule for a phone interview with me and discuss improvements to his game over the past year, his defensive preferences and his close relationship with a current big leaguer…

Steve Adams: I want to start by asking if you can describe your overall game for me in your own words.

Braxton Davidson: Yeah, my overall game, I feel like I’m an advanced hitter. People say I’m a power hitter, but I believe I’m more of a hitter with power than a power hitter that can’t hit. I can spray the ball all over the field. If I get my pitch, I can turn on it, hit it in the gaps for a home run or a double. I just really focus on spraying the ball and trying to make plays out in the field that help my team win whether at first or in the outfield.

SA: Is there a Major League player or multiple players that you’ve tried to model your game after as you’ve grown up watching the game?

BD: Yeah, my favorite player of all time that I saw growing up is Barry Bonds. Guy was just a freak athlete, could steal bases, could hit bombs, could throw it from the outfield. He was a playmaker. He was one of my favorites. Now, in today’s game, I watch a lot of Joey Votto, Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Carlos Gonzalez from the Rockies. Just a bunch of left-handed hitters — Robinson Cano will spread the ball over the field, hit with power. They’re just playmakers.

SA: What areas of your game do you feel like you’ve improved the most over the course of your senior season?

BD: Being consistent. Last year, my junior season, I struck out 25 times, I believe. My senior season I struck out only 10. So being more consistent at the plate. I lost a lot of weight — I was 230 pounds coming off the summer circuit, and I hit it hard in the weight room and got myself in shape so I could play the outfield. I really worked hard at being a better all-around player.

SA: What aspect of your skill-set do you feel is the most beneficial to helping your team win a game?

BD: My leadership. Just being positive. Trying to make plays to help the team win by getting on base, or moving the runner over — just doing your situationals right. You know, that’s what really helps teams win and win championships, and that’s what we all want is championships. That’s really what I focus on: doing the right thing on the field and doing whatever the situation calls for.

SA: Talking about leadership, do you consider yourself more of a “lead by example” and “lead on the field” type, or are you more of a vocal leader that will step up and be outspoken?

BD: I might be a lead by example. I believe in karma, and I feel like if I try to vocalize my opinion to teammates it might come back and bite me. I don’t really say much on the field. I just let my play do all the talking, and it’s been successful and I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing.

SA: You were talking about your improved contact rate before. Did you make any conscious changes to your approach this year, or do you think that’s just more experience coming through and getting better with more reps at the plate?

BD: This whole offseason, I worked on seeing the ball, hitting the ball and not worrying about pitches. A pitcher can have three or four pitches, and if you think about all four of those pitches at one time, you’re going to get kind of messed up at the plate. So I just really tried to focus on seeing the ball, hitting the ball, and really focusing on counts. Like in advantage counts, 0-2, he’s probably going to try to waste a pitch. Just be careful in advantage counts, try to get back into the count, get a fastball and don’t miss it. That’s really my approach at the plate, and this season and offseason, it’s what I worked on.

SA: Has hitting the ball to all fields always come naturally to you, or is that something you’ve developed more later in your career?

BD: It’s kind of developed a little bit recently, just because once I committed to North Carolina, my dad was like, ’You’ve got to work on spreading the ball all over the field so you can get more recognition from professional scouts.’ That’s just something that we’ve worked hard on for the past two or three years, just being able to hit to the other side of the field and hitting with some authority, not just little dinkers. Driving it to the gaps, hit bombs, you know. That’s what we really worked on the past couple years, maintaining on keeping your front shoulder on it and just hitting it up the middle and to the other side of the field.

SA: You’ve played the outfield and first base. Are you equally comfortable at each of those positions?

BD: Yes. The past two years I’ve played a lot of outfield for my travel team and school ball. I played first base growing up from little league until now. I feel like first base comes naturally, but outfield is fun. It’s kind of new. I’ve still got a lot learn, but I feel I’m pretty good for the amount of time I’ve been playing that. So yeah, they’re about equally the same.

SA: Do you see yourself playing one or the other long-term, or are you open to either one?

BD: Either one. If I end up not playing the outfield, I’ll be perfectly fine at first. If I don’t play first, I’ll be happy playing in the outfield. I feel like if I play in the big leagues for a long time, like Albert Pujols — 10-plus years — I will eventually move to first base because I won’t be able to move as well as I did when I was younger, of course. If a team wants to put me — wherever they want to put me, I’m going to play. As long as I’m in the lineup hitting, that’s fine with me.

SA: I did see a scouting report that said you’ve been clocked in the 90s off the mound before. Did you ever give any serious thought to pitching, or have you always had the mindset that you’re a hitter and you want to be out there every day?

BD: Yeah, my mindset is that I want to play every day. I really didn’t start throwing hard until my junior year. Growing up, I didn’t throw much. I kind of rested my arm … I never really thought of myself as a pitcher, I thought of myself as a thrower. I just throw the ball hard. I didn’t ever work on it, I just threw it.

SA: I know you’ve had a lot of pretty high draft picks come out of your school — Cameron Maybin in the first round in 2005 and Chris Narveson went in the second round in 2000. Can you talk a little bit about the program you came from and how it prepared you for professional baseball?

BD: Yeah. The program at T.C. Roberson is one of the best the state, if not the best in the state, and one of the best in the country, just for the tradition that we have. Our coach, Eric Filipek, puts together a really, really tough schedule just so that we’ll be ready for anything that comes our way. We don’t play cupcakes. That doesn’t help you become a better player. I feel like the tougher the competition, the more you’re going to step up your game. By the foundation that Cam, and Chris Narveson, Darren Holmes and Justin Jackson and all these guys have set, has made T.C. Roberson one of the best baseball programs around. Everybody wants to beat us, I feel like, and we want to beat everybody else so the best of the best come and play us, which steps up our competition level.

SA: Have you ever had a chance to talk with Maybin or Narveson or any of those guys that have come out of your high school about their journey from being drafted to making the Major Leagues?

BD: Yeah, I talk to Cam a lot. He’s kind of like an older brother to me. His dad and my dad are good friends. They’ve known each other for awhile. I grew up watching Cam play in high school, and he’s a great dude. He said once you get into pro ball, it’s a grind. You’re playing every day. You’ve got people that want to to take your spot. … He just gives me advice like, ’Keep working hard,’ and ’Never lose hope of your dreams.’ My dream is to play in the big leagues. Cam’s just a great guy. He’ll do anything in the world for anybody. I was talking to him earlier today, actually, and he just wanted to make sure how the process was going. He keeps in touch with me, and I really appreciate that, him being like an older brother and keeping me in check.

SA: Last question I’m going to ask is if you’ve figured where you’re going to be and who you’re going to be with on Draft Day.

BD: Yeah we — my family and I — we’re going to invite a bunch of friends and family over to this little steakhouse at home. Good food, bunch of TVs there. We’re going to set up, bring a lot of people and just have a good time watching the draft. Stuff like this only happens once or twice — once if you go out of high school, twice if you go to college. I’m just excited and blessed to be in the situation I am today.

Photo courtesy of Kathryn Sizemore/Golden Fleece Media.

Draft Prospect Q&A: Aaron Nola

By Zachary Links | June 4, 2014 at 11:19pm CDT

This season, LSU powered their way to the Regional Final round of the NCAA Tournament thanks in large part to the pitching performances of ace Aaron Nola. While the Tigers were eliminated on Monday night by Houston, the 6’2″, 195 pound right-hander is on the verge of realizing his lifelong dream in Thursday night’s draft. Nola has probably been baseball’s most dominant pitcher over the last two seasons and appears to be a lock for the top ten.

With a laser-guided 95 mph fastball, a plus curveball, and an ever-improving changeup, Nola pitched to a 1.57 ERA with 8.71 K/9 and 1.29 BB/9 in his sophomore season. For an encore, he followed that up with a 1.47 ERA, an even stronger 10.37 K/9, and a still stingy 2.09 BB/9 in 2014. In short, Nola has been absolutely stellar over the last two years for the Tigers and is viewed as one of the most surefire talents in this year’s class.

It’s safe to say that Nola is more familiar with the draft process than 99% of prospects out there. The righty was picked by the Blue Jays in 2011 and watched his brother Austin, a talented shortstop, get drafted twice before signing with the Marlins, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. Reportedly being advised by Joe Longo of Paragon Sports, Nola is ranked No. 6 by MLB.com, No. 7 by Baseball America, and No. 10 by ESPN.com’s Keith Law. On Tuesday, Nola took time out of his busy schedule to talk with MLBTradeRumors about his impressive body of work and what he’ll bring to the table at the major league level:
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Zach Links: You powered your team to a big win on Saturday despite some bad breaks in the second inning and getting in a bases loaded jam with the score tied 1-1. We’ve seen that from you at other points this season, where you might encounter some brief trouble but you always find a way out. How do manage to stay zeroed in when things get dicey?

Aaron Nola: For me, it’s all about slowing things down. When guys get on base, I put the game in front of me, slow everything down, focus a little more, and try not to let the game get out of control.

ZL: Even though LSU’s season ended on Monday night, how much did it mean to you to go out with a deep postseason run?

AN: We’ve been playing our best baseball these past couple of weeks and that’s the time we needed to get hot. We were good and everything was going our way but we were ahead in the third game [of the Regionals], we slipped, and Houston capitalized on it. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t have gone even further.

ZL: With so much talk surrounding you on an individual level, how have you managed to tune out all of the talk about your own individual performance and draft stock and focus on winning?

AN: Talking to my brother [Austin] about going into the draft and handling the draft helped a lot. He went through all of that when he was in college and he gave me some input and some advice on how to handle it. He basically told me not to worry about this stuff, that the draft is going to take care of itself. I’m going to be happy wherever I go. All season long I was playing for my team and trying to help them go as far as possible.

When Austin was going through the draft process, each time, he handled it really well. We were in the Super Regional in 2012 and we were all at practice when he got the call that he was drafted. We were all so excited for him, but his focus was still on helping the team win.

ZL: Did you ever feel extra pressure on the mound knowing that scouts were in attendance?

AN: No, I mean, I didn’t see any of them in the stands really. I saw a couple of them but usually we’re playing in a place with a lot of fans. I’m pretty good about concentrating on getting guys out and not looking up in the stands. I always played my game and I didn’t try to light up the radar gun to impress people like a lot of guys do.

ZL: What do you attribute your low walk rate to?

AN: I’ve always been accurate since we all know the strike zone gets smaller and smaller. Our coach stresses that we throw the ball in the zone, go after the hitters, and don’t pitch passively. That’s what we do and we don’t walk too many guys. We stay in the strike zone and pitch aggressively.

ZL: Have you always had exceptional command or has that come along in the last few years?

AN: Since I’ve been pitching I’ve had pretty good command but it has gotten better over the years. Part of that comes from working with [LSU pitching coach Alan Dunn] who taught me a lot about the game and what you need to do. Back in my freshman year, I threw too many strikes and my sophomore year I learned how to get the ball where it had to be. This year it was kind of the same thing.

ZL: The Twins drafted your old rotation mate, Ryan Eades, in the second round last year, and they’ve been heavily connected to you heading into the draft. What would it be mean to pitch with him again?

AN: That would mean everything. I’m blessed to be drafted anywhere but I would be excited to go there and to play with Ryan, that would be awesome. I pitched with him for a bit at LSU and I’ve known him for three or four years and he’s a great kid. He’s going move up in that organization and he’s just a positive guy to be around.

ZL: You’ve said that you’ll be happy wherever you land, but without naming teams, are there clubs in the top ten that stand out to you above others?

AN: No, like I said, wherever I go, I’m going to be thankful that that team drafted me and we don’t know anything about the draft really where you’re going to go. Whoever gets picked before me, they deserve it, they’re obviously great players and they’ll do great for their organization. Wherever I get picked, I’m going to enjoy myself and do my best for my team.

ZL: Your 2-seam fastball and curveball get a ton of attention but you also boast a strong changeup. When did you first start to really get that pitch down?

AN: I had my changeup my freshman year a little bit at the beginning, but it kind of died off, honestly. Last year I was more of fastball/curveball guy and I worked on my changeup a lot in the fall this year. For me, it was more about throwing it a lot and getting a better feel for it. I think it has improved quite a bit over the last few years.

ZL: Some scouting reports have expressed concern about your 3/4 arm slot. Is that warranted at all?

AN: I don’t think it is. I’ve been throwing with this arm slot my whole life and I’ve never used a different style. It’s been that way my whole life and I’m comfortable doing what I’m doing. I haven’t had any serious arm problems at any point and hope that I never will.

ZL: Do you feel like you have a better handle on pitch sequencing than your average college pitcher?

AN: Our pitching coach calls all our pitches but he teaches us why we throw certain pitches in certain counts and also encourages us to go with what we feel instinctively. I feel like I can call my own game because of all of the things that he’s taught me.

ZL: Did you give real thought to going pro when the Blue Jays drafted you in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft?

AN: I think I would have had to go pretty high, but after seeing Austin turn down offers twice to make a career at LSU, that’s what I wanted to do. I also wasn’t ready to make that next step from high school to pro ball and Austin has zero regrets about going to college. So, I’m glad I made the decision to go to LSU. I feel like I’ve become a better person and a better player. I’m stronger, both physically and mentally.

ZL: You turn 21 [today] – first of all, Happy Birthday – will being a top draft pick on Thursday be the best birthday present you’ve ever gotten or is there a moonwalk birthday party from ten years ago that tops that?

AN: [laughs] This will be a pretty good birthday present for me, to be honest with you, this is a pretty big one. My life changes on Thursday and for me and my family this is a big moment for us, this is special. This is definitely going to rank as one of the best birthdays ever.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Draft Prospect Q&A: Jacob Gatewood

By Steve Adams | June 4, 2014 at 9:49am CDT

There are few prospects with more power potential in the 2014 draft than California prep shortstop Jacob Gatewood. The Clovis High School product turned heads last summer when he won the All-Star Game Junior Home Run Derby at Citi Field, and for good measure, he turned around and won the Under Armour All-American Game’s Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field as well a few months later.

A shortstop by trade, Gatewood stands at 6’5″ and weighs in at 180 pounds, so it’s reasonable to think that more power might be in the offing as he fills out. ESPN’s Keith Law, who ranks Gatewood as the draft’s No. 15 prospect, agrees with that line of thinking, as he gave Gatewood a 55 for his current power (on the 20-80 scouting scale) and graded his future power potential at 65. MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis, who ranked Gatewood 22nd overall, graded his power at 65. Baseball America ranked him 21st overall and said his raw power is “at least 70-grade.”

There have been some concerns about Gatewood’s hit tool, but he’s quelled some of that concern by “quieting a hand hitch and and [making] mechanical adjustments” this spring, according to BA. Gatewood took some time last week to talk with MLBTradeRumors about his future at shortstop, last season’s Home Run Derby triumphs and the advice he received from some of the game’s top players at last year’s All-Star festivities.

Steve Adams: Describe your overall game and day-to-day approach to me.

Jacob Gatewood: I always try to play the game as hard as I can, no matter what — if I’m tired or whatever the circumstances are that day, I try to play as hard as I can and most importantly win the game that we’re playing.

SA: Is there a particular Major League player that you’ve modeled your game after that you watched growing up?

JG: Definitely Troy Tulowitzki. Me and him are both tall shortstops and we both hit with power. I’ve always modeled my game after him.

SA: What areas of your game do you feel you’ve improved the most over the course of your senior season in high school?

JG: I think I definitely worked on becoming more of a complete hitter. I know there was a lot of questions about my hitting after the summer, but I feel like I answered a lot of those. That was probably my biggest thing. I also worked a lot on my defense as well at shortstop.

SA: Do you see yourself as a shortstop in the long-term?

JG: Yes, I do. I’ve grown up playing shortstop and I’m confident in my ability to stay there. But if the team that drafts me feels like it’s best for their club for me to move to third base or wherever, I’m going to do that and I’m going to give it my all.

SA: Last year you drew some national attention by winning the Junior Home Run Derby at Citi Field and then the home run derby in the Under Armour All America Game. Can you talk a little bit about that experience and what it was like for you?

JG: I mean, to this day, it still feels like a dream. From being around all the best players in the game and having them tell me how nervous they were for me, to 50,000 people screaming your name — it can’t get too much better than that. Like I said, it still gives me the chills just thinking about it.

[Laughing] Hopefully I can get back to one pretty soon! That’d be pretty cool. But yeah, it was definitely one of the best experiences of my life and something that I’ll never forget.

SA: In the video footage from that day, you can see a lot of guys — Mike Trout, Torii Hunter — a lot of big name players reacting to your home runs. Did you get a chance to talk to any of those guys while you were out there?

JG: Yeah, actually I talked to a lot of them, and they were messing around with me a little bit — well, Big Papi was messing around with me a lot. But just to be around those guys — you think about it and you think they’re robots or something seeing them on TV all the time, but to actually be up close to them and for them to be genuinely happy for me — that part was definitely cool. They gave me all kinds of pointers that I’ll definitely never forget.

SA: What’s the best piece of advice that you received out there?

JG: Defintely Torii Hunter told me — he kind of pointed to the stands and he told me, ’All that’s cool and stuff,’ but then he pointed back to the field and said, ’You see those white lines right there? Everything between those is what you need to work on, what you need to take care of. Make sure you get your work done on the field and play as hard as you can.’

SA: You’re used to being the best player on a team or one of the best players on a team. A certain amount of leadership comes along with that. Do you consider yourself to be a vocal leader or are you more of a “lead by example” and let your play do the talking type of guy?

JG: You know, I think I’m a mixture of both. If I need to say something, I’ll definitely say it, but I try to lead by example as well. I’m lucky to be on a team that has a couple of seniors be there since we were all sophomores. They’ve helped a lot, but I like to try to do a mixture of both.

SA: You’re a central California guy. You didn’t really have any shortage of options for teams to cheer for when you were growing up. Was there one that you followed more closely than the others?

JG: Yeah. Definitely the Dodgers. I’ve been a Dodgers fan since I was little. My dad (1982 Dodgers first-round pick Henry Gatewood) helped me out a little bit with that since he played for them, but I followed the Dodgers for awhile.

SA: Have you had a chance to follow the career of Ryan Cook at all? He came out of your high school in Clovis as well.

JG: Yeah, actually when I first transferred, they heard I was committed to USC and they talked about Ryan Cook. I had no clue he was from Clovis, so when he was doing his thing up there, it was pretty cool to watch him play. He’d come back in the offseason and play catch right on our field, so it was really cool having a big leaguer out there.

Other entries in this year’s series include prep shortstops Michael Chavis and Nick Gordon, Louisville closer Nick Burdi and University of San Francisco center fielder Bradley Zimmer.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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