by Kevin Zeni
Growing up in New
Jersey, were you a Yankees fan growing up?
Yeah, growing up I was a big Yankees fan, but now I’m an
Angels fan.
How often would you
go to see the Yankees in your youth?
I went to the games a lot growing up. It seemed like I would
go every other day.
Did you have a
favorite player growing up or someone that you try to model yourself after?
When I was young I played the outfield, so Ken Griffey Jr.
was my favorite player. I really liked how he would just go out and have fun
and play the game with style. As far as a pitcher I model myself after, that
would have to be CC Sabathia. He’s just a beast and a big-time competitor any
time he takes the mound.
After a strong year
with Double-A Arkansas last year, you find yourself back in the Advanced-A
California League to begin this season. Have the Angels filled you in on their
decision-making regarding your assignment?
No, not really. I really can’t control anything like that
anyway. I just have to take care of business and help the ball club win, first
and foremost.
So you’re back in the
California League, where you made three early season starts in 2009 with Rancho
Cucamonga. Do you have any memories or have you imparted any strategy based on
those starts?
No, I just go out and have fun. That’s the biggest key. When
you’re in the game it can be real easy to get caught up in other things, so
just focusing on having fun out there and executing your game is the most
important thing you can do.
Having pitched at
every level of the minor leagues in your career, how much do you talk to some
of your younger teammates about what to expect as they advance themselves?
I talk to a lot of the guys about my experience at the
higher levels. I’ll tell them things that I picked up that work or don’t work,
but really when it comes down it, you just have to trust your stuff.
You have been
reunited with Pitching Coach Brandon Emanuel, who was with you in Arkansas
last year. What is it that you’ve been working on with him for this season?
Mainly just focusing more on just playing ball and having
fun, not think too much about mechanical issues. Some of the work we’ve done in
the bullpen and on drill days is to just fine-tune everything and try to refine
the front side of my delivery.
In your first two
appearances this season you’ve been a bit wild on the mound, giving up walks
and hitting batters. Is that due to the mechanics of your delivery and is it
something Emanuel has been helping you with?
Yeah, it’s definitely something I’m aware of when I’m out
there (on the mound). It’s a matter of me getting out of control and having the
game speed up on me. (Emanuel) and I have worked on it the last couple days so
that I can be ready for my next start.
In your first
appearance this season, the team brought you out of the bullpen. It was the
first time you’ve come out of the ‘pen since your rookie year in 2009. Do you
prepare any differently when you do come on in relief?
Like you said, I never really pitch out of the bullpen, but
it is a scenario where you have to get loose quicker and just go at your
opponent with all your stuff, all your weapons. As a starter, you may use one
or two of your pitches the first time through the order before you start
working in your other pitches. You also have more time to prepare as a starter,
where when coming out of the bullpen you’ve just got to attack straight out of
the gate.
Despite being a Texas
League All-Star last season and being ranked as high as the Angels’ fourth-best
prospect in 2009, you were left exposed in the Rule 5 draft this winter. Was
there any part of you that was wishing another team would pick you up and maybe
give you more of an opportunity to reach the big leagues faster?
You know, I can’t really worry about it. My job is to just
play baseball and so long as I do that, everything else takes care of itself.
Where do you see
yourself in the Angels’ big-picture plans?
I’m really not worried about it. I just want to have fun and
help the ball club win. I can’t control any of that stuff.
As you know, the
Angels are loaded with quality pitching at every level of the minor leagues. Do
you feel that having so much talent together on teams is helpful or harmful to
a pitcher’s development?
I definitely think it helps guys get better to see what
they’re going up against. It’s a challenge. It allows guys to get better at
performing on a consistent basis, which is something you need to be able to do
at the higher levels if you want to succeed. So yeah, its always helpful to have
guys that you can compete with and try to get better everyday.
Lastly, is there
anything you want to tell your fans?
I appreciate all the fan support that has been given to me
and I’m looking forward to getting to Angels Stadium.
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