Interview done by Trevor Winsor.
1. So you played your college ball at UBC. What was the transition like from college ball to minor league ball? Challenges? Things you enjoyed?
The biggest difference going from college to pro ball was and still is the grind of a 140 game season. In college we played every weekend and had a week to prepare for games. That week could be used to regroup mentally or physically to get into the right mindset for the weekend. In pro ball there’s a game every night, and you have to be locked in mentally in order to perform the way you know how. That’s the biggest challenge for me but at the same time it’s something I enjoy because one bad game can be flushed knowing you’re back at it the next night.
2. You’ve been in minor league for a couple years now. What has your experience been like?
I’ve had a great time playing pro ball. I’ve really had to prove myself as a late draft pick senior sign, and it’s taken a few years for me to establish myself in the organization as someone they can trust. It’s not always easy as you could imagine the “bonus babies” get a lot more opportunities and those are the guys I’m competing against but it’s a challenge like anything else, and all I can do is play my game. I’ve gotten to play with and against big leaguers and future big leaguers and to be on the same field as them knowing I’m that close is something I’m proud of and keeps the fire in me to improve.
3. So you travel with the team of course. What is your favorite ball park you’ve been to thus far?
I’ve been fortunate enough to play at all the minor league levels and been to many ballparks across America but my favorite one to play at still might be the first field I ever step foot on, being Ripkin Stadium playing for the Aberdeen Ironbirds. Its new, the clubhouse is spacious and clean, there’s always a good crowd and I guess it’s a little extra special as it was where I played my first career game. Other than that I enjoyed playing at Staten Island and Brooklyn’s field on Coney Island. Both are really nice fields and good fan base.
4. Looking back at your career to this point, what tips or advice would you give to those who want to play pro ball?
I would just let them know that hard work really does pay off. It was a dream of mine to play pro ball and I worked extremely hard in college to get noticed. If it’s something you are passionate about and really commit to, then it is absolutely possible and with that mentality they would be closer to pro ball than they think.
5. Alright last question. What is your favorite thing about the game of baseball?
My favorite thing about baseball would be the relationships you make with your teammates. I’ve found that baseball provides a platform like no other in which you create bonds with the players around you. To this day my best friends are ball players, and maybe it’s the similarities we all have from playing and learning life lessons through the game or if it’s the numerous hours spent together, it’s the one thing about baseball that will stay with me forever.