Brewerfan.net Feature Articles

Brewerfan.net Feature Articles http://www.brewerfan.net Brewerfan.net Feature Articles 1 daily Brewerfan interviews 22nd-round pick Kevin Berard http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewArticle.do?articleId=304 Kevin Berard was drafted in the 22nd round by the Brewers on Tuesday out of Barbe High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was kind enough to chat with us for a few minutes. BF: First of all, congratulations on being drafted. KB: Thank you. BF: Did you expect to get drafted? Did you know the Brewers were interested in you? KB: Yeah, I did. I knew they were interested in me. Actually, they gave me a workout the Tuesday before the draft, down here at Sulphur High School field. BF: What other teams were interested in drafting you? KB: They had a couple other teams that were interested but never actually gave me a call or gave me a workout. BF: So the Brewers were the most interested in you of any of the teams? KB: Yeah, the Brewers were the most interested. BF: Did they tell you approximately when they were going to draft you, or was it a surprise? KB: No, they didn't tell me when, but I thought I was gonna get drafted later than I did, like 50th or 40th [round] or something like that. I was surprised that I got drafted in the 22nd. BF: Were you listening to the draft when it happened? KB: Actually, I was on my way to a baseball game. I was parking to get out and play a baseball game. BF: And then you got a call from them? KB: Yes, but my aunt actually told me. She knew before they called me. BF: That must have been really exciting. KB: Oh yeah, it was pretty exciting. It made me feel comfortable going into my baseball game that I had to play, you know, knowing that I got drafted, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. BF: How'd you do? KB: Oh, I did real good. I did excellent, actually. I went 1-3, made all my plays at shortstop--it was my first game back at shortstop. I hadn't played shortstop in about four years. BF: I didn't realize you also played shortstop. The Brewers drafted you as a catcher, right? KB: Yeah, they drafted me as a catcher, but I was a high school third baseman. I think I'm gonna wind up working my way to the outfield or shortstop, but I love catching and I guess that's what I'm gonna be for now. BF: So you plan on signing? KB: I signed today. I'm flying out to Arizona Sunday. BF: Oh, well that's great. Can you describe yourself as a ballplayer a little bit? KB: I'm real versatile. I can play any position you put me at. I'm one of a kind. You can expect a lot of me. I get to the ballpark every day on time, ready to play ball every day, and you can expect the best out of me. BF: How are you as a hitter? KB: I hit for a lot of average. I don't hit for a lot of power--I can hit for power, but I hit for average most of the time. I hit .430 in my high school season, and during district I hid .538, which was the highest on my team, so I'm expecting to hit pretty good. BF: And you had a pretty good prospect on your team with you, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=10018074&content_id=8760479">Garin Cecchini</a>. KB: Well, he didn't play. He tore his ACL. <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=10018074&content_id=8699249">Hommy Rosado</a> was another top prospect, he got drafted before me, he went to the Colorado Rockies. I actually hit higher than he did, but he had 26 home runs. BF: And would you describe yourself as a patient hitter? KB: Yeah, I'll wait in the count, get my pitch. BF: So you also played football and ran track, right? You were a quarterback? KB: Well, I started off at receiver. I was a receiver for three years, and I started off my senior year as a receiver, but then they moved me to quarterback because our quarterback got hurt. I led the state in receiving and passing yards, and I only played receiver for four games. BF: Wow. That's pretty good. Do you prefer baseball to football? KB: I'm not gonna say I prefer baseball. I have a love for both, you know, I can't choose one over the other. BF: What did you run in track? KB: I ran the 4x1 and 4x2. BF: So basically, if you do stick at catcher, you'll be a pretty fast catcher. KB: Yeah, I'll be a really fast catcher. I throw down [to second base] pretty fast, too. I got a 1.7, 1.8 [second pop time]. BF: Is there anything else you want Brewers fans to know about you? KB: I'm little--well, I'm not necessarily little, I'm 5'10", well let's see, I'm 5'11" and I weigh probably from 160 to 170--but they can expect a lot from me. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT Brewerfan interviews 20th-round pick Shea Vucinich http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewArticle.do?articleId=306 With their 20th-round pick in this year's draft, the Brewers chose Washington State shortstop Shea Vucinich. He took some time to chat with me on Thursday. BF: Have you been celebrating? SV: Yeah, with the fam. They're pretty excited. BF: I can imagine. So, did you know the Brewers were interested? SV: Yeah, I had talked to quite a few teams, but three that showed more interest than the others were Milwaukee, Texas, and Colorado. BF: Did the Brewers tell you about when they wanted to draft you? Approximately what round? SV: Yeah, you know, they were very straightforward with me for the entire process. They predicted between [round] 15 and 25, so they got it right on the money. BF: Were you listening to the draft when your name was called? SV: Actually, I heard watching the show on ESPN could be quite nerve-racking, so I was out golfing with some teammates, and I actually got a text from a summer teammate from the Cape [Cod League] and he congratulated me. That was my first knowledge of getting chosen. BF: Do you plan on signing? SV: I actually did that night. I'm officially in the Brew Crew. BF: Well, welcome aboard! SV: Thanks, I appreciate it. BF: When do you leave for Arizona? SV: I actually head out to Helena on Sunday. BF: Oh, very nice, you get to skip the summer heat in Arizona. SV: Yeah, I had enough of that in Arkansas last weekend. BF: So, can you describe yourself as a ballplayer a bit? SV: Um... [pause] Tough question. I hate talking about myself. [pause] My work ethic is definitely what has gotten me to where I am. I'm very competitive and hate to lose. I've learned to respect the game, because no matter how good you're doing the game can humble you in a heartbeat. Sorry, that was a toughie for me. BF: Is there an MLB player you'd compare yourself to? SV: If I had to choose one person, I'd have to say David Eckstein. I still don't think it's right to compare myself to a big leaguer until I'm at that level. BF: It looks like you hit for a pretty decent average as a freshman but tailed off a bit the next two years. Were you trading average for power a bit? SV: Going into my sophomore year, I developed a bit of a leg kick hoping for some power. That possibly took toll on my average. I think being a freshmen is sort of an advantage, just because no teams have your scouting report yet. I also hit in the nine-hole most of the season. That could have been a factor. BF: Do you think of yourself as more of a power hitter or contact hitter? SV: Contact, for sure. BF: You did hit <a href="http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090630/SPORTS/306309881/-1/sports09">two homers in a game</a> in the Cape Cod League over the summer, though. SV: Yeah, at times you just feel good in the box and the ball looks extra large. It was one of those days. BF: How's your comfort level with wood bats? SV: I actually enjoy wood bats more than metal, just because I'm more of a contact hitter. BF: You prefer the "crack" to the "ping". SV: Without a doubt. BF: Did that contribute to your decision to go pro? SV: No, it was a factor of getting some exposure at a younger age, getting away from school a little bit, and pursuing a dream. BF: Was it tough at all to leave Wazzu though, in the midst of a <a href="http://www.krem.com/sports/Washington-State-baseball-selected-to-play-in-NCAA-Championship-95262754.html">baseball renaissance</a>? SV: For sure it was. I give all the credit to this year's seniors for that turn around. They started turning the program around four years ago, and I really enjoyed being a part of it. BF: From what I read, [WSU teammate] Seth Harvey's also signed and also headed to Helena. It must be nice to have a teammate heading out there with you. SV: It definitely is. Seth's a great ballplayer and even a better person. He's one of those guys that everyone wants to be around and can lighten the mood of any situation. And that's needed a lot in baseball. BF: Can you give us a mini scouting report on him? SV: Seth has a good fastball, and he's developed a changeup that he's grown to go to more and more. BF: Okay, getting back to you for a second, how would you describe your approach at the plate? Are you swinging, or are you patient? SV: Stepping into the box, you can't think at all, you just have to react. I just focus on being on time for what I'm looking for and staying inside the ball. BF: And how about on defense? I've read that you're <a href="http://baseballdraftreport.com/2010/03/26/2010-mlb-draft-pac-10-shortstops/">pretty good with the glove</a>. SV: Defense is definitely my strength. If I'm not producing offensively, I have that as a backup. I did gymnastics for ten years, so that's played a huge factor in the athleticism on the field. BF: You're the first player I know of with a gymnastics background. Can you talk a little more about how that's helped you? SV: It's helped in my overall strength. Balance is really important when making a play on the run, and I'm pretty aware of where and what my body is doing from all the flipping. BF: I would imagine that it also helps your body control when hitting too, with things like keeping your hands back on off-speed stuff. SV: It for sure does. BF: Apart from baseball, what do you like to do? SV: I absolutely love playing Wiffle ball. Growing up in Idaho, the outdoors are very important--fishing, camping, et cetera. And I can't get enough of my family. BF: Being from Idaho, Montana will probably be pretty comfortable for you, and I hear the fly fishing is outstanding. SV: Oh yeah, I've been in the area and have some friends in Helena. They know all the spots. BF: Okay, now for the topic on everyone's tongue: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NCAA_conference_realignment">Pac-10 expansion</a>. What's your opinion? SV: Oh man. After playing all the Pac-10 teams this year, I'd have to say it couldn't get much harder. It would make it extremely hard for some really good teams to make the tourney in June. I'm not a big fan of it. [laughs] BF: I can imagine you wouldn't be too thrilled about adding <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_longhorns_baseball">Texas baseball</a> to the equation. SV: Although I love the competition, no. BF: Okay, well that's about all I've got for you. SV: I think you did a great job with your questions. You summed it all up. BF: Hey, thanks! I don't often get feedback from the interviewees. SV: Well, I'm not trying to big-league anyone. [laughs] Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT Andrew Bailey So Close to Being A Brewer ? and Other Tales from the 2005 Draft http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewArticle.do?articleId=303 <a class="NormalLink" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-ones-that-got-away-national-league-central/">This Fangraphs article</a>, along with having seen Oakland closer and 2009 American League Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey's filthy stuff a few times on TV recently, had me racing back to my email bin. Based here in Massachusetts, I kept in touch with then-Northeast Area Scout Tony Blengino during his stint with Milwaukee. Blengino, who himself was fast-tracked in the Brewer organization, left with Jack Zduriencik for Seattle to be Jack's right-hand man there. Blengino was coming off a monster personal draft in 2004 with 1st round pick RHP Mark Rogers, 5th round pick C Angel Salome, 18th round OF Darren Ford (now on the Giants' 40-man roster), even Univ. of Vermont LHP Derek Miller, who for a 47th round pick, made a nice run to AA. Tony's keen eye was on exhibit again in 2005 -- 10th round pick LHP Steve Garrison, now a San Diego Padre 40-man roster farmhand (the Scott Linebrink deal), and still very promising; Bailey in the 16th round, and a certain LHP in the 18th round, William Zachary Braddock. Two HS southpaws and one college righty in the Top 18 rounds for Tony... I've given myself a five-year statute of limitations before mentioning any of this publicly, so I'd say I can now cite some of our notes, with all due respect to Tony (especially in that Tony's no longer with the Brewers - heh). And to be honest, nothing I'm choosing to pass along here is more than normal "scout talk" shared with a fan, so I seriously hope he's OK as I pass along the info, given the passage of time. I just wanted to share with you some of the goings-on that can literally make or break a draft pick signing, and in this case, indicate just how close the Brewers came to having a talent like Andrew Bailey in their possession, as well as how close they came to not getting Zach Braddock and Steve Garrison. Now remember, this is happening back in the day of the now-defunct draft-and-follow process, which potentially applied to Garrison and Braddock, but not Bailey, a college junior. In draft and follow, clubs could draft a high school or junior college player, monitor their progress for an additional year, and still own their rights until shortly before the next year?s draft. Manny Parra was a high profile Brewer draft-and-follow signee. *** From Draft Day, 2005 (newspaper account): Wagner College's Andrew Bailey Drafted by Milwaukee Brewers in 16th Round (June 8, 2005) Staten Island, NY - Wagner pitcher Andrew Bailey was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round in Day One of the 2005 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. In the 2005 season as a junior, Bailey posted a 3-2 record and struck out 47 batters in 41.2 innings of work before going down with injury. The 6-2, 220-pounder from Haddon Heights, NJ (Paul VI HS) yielded just 16 earned runs and walked just 12 batters while allowing opposing hitters to hit only .245. Bailey had Tommy John surgery in May and will be out until Spring 2006. "We liked his arm before the surgery," said Brewers scouting director Jack Zduriencik said. "With some of these things, you roll the dice. Maybe we'll uncover something here that could be good for us." *** Day after draft, Blengino: "We'll sign Bailey to a 2006 contract after July 1.....if he returns to Wagner in the fall we lose his rights, as he was a true JR this yr....I don't anticipate problems.....we went to the same high school, I coached his younger cousin in soccer, and I've grown quite close to Andrew and his mom and dad." "Braddock touched 91 at a tryout camp of mine when he was 15. He's 6'4", 230, and as flexible as a gymnast. In the upper 80's less than a year post-op. And he's a lefty. Curve, change and overall command are still coming around, but I expect major progress throughout the summer. He's signed, sealed and delivered to Chipola. The 18th appears to be my (and Chipola's) round." Chipola Jr. College in Florida was also the draft-and-follow home of Darren Ford, drafted a year prior in the same round. Thus the coincidence there. Saying Braddock is "signed and sealed" simply meant that Zach was locked into Chipola from where the Brewers would follow him, as opposed to a four-year college commitment, which would eliminate the Brewers' rights to Braddock. *** Fast-forward to July 25th, and I was able to join Tony at the New England College Baseball League (NECBL) All-Star Game in Newport, RI. The NECBL is a proud cousin of the more infamous Cape Cod League. It was one of the more enjoyable baseball-related evenings of my life. Even as of that date, the word was expect Bailey to sign with the Brewers prior to returning to school that fall. That was also the night when Blengino shared the wild story of how he was able to assist in getting Steve Garrison to commit to the Brewers on draft day ? I don?t do this story justice, but here goes: Garrison had been in Miller Park for his 4th pre-draft workout in four days ? imagine, as a pitcher yet! (That would be four different organizations having him come in for workouts.) The cross-checker, Bobby Heck (now Houston's scouting director), hadn't seen Garrison, so it was up to Tony to set reasonable expectations for him that day, and Garrison really impressed. On draft day, with Blengino among the few scouts in the war room, Tony relayed the process of working the phone with Garrison's dad Gary (yes, Gary Garrison) throughout the day. With Steve's name on the paper in hand three picks away in the 10th round, the dad calls Tony's cell to say the Indians are offering $250,000 vs. the Brewers $160,000. (In other words, Garrison's dad was telling the Brewers not to pick Steve so the Indians could. As a top 10 pick, Garrison's signing bonus was public knowledge, so I'm not passing along the unknown in that regard. Jack Z. tells Tony he has 30 seconds to convince the dad that the Brewers money is real and ready, and the Indians will end up likely drafting-and-following him (that their money's not real). The dad says OK, we have a deal, and the Brewers make their selection. *** How much do you want to bet those types of situations litter the draft floors of war rooms all across the country, year after year, pick after pick? *** August 29th: Bailey's first class is 10:20 this morning.....we've been talking on an ongoing basis, but remain substantially apart. It's not dead yet, but it doesn't look good. Well, in retrospect, that was a major bummer. But... Braddock is at Chipola, but not until after a spirited late run by the Univ. of Kentucky......it looked very bleak for a while there. (For historical accuracy, Braddock ended up leaving Chipola later that fall and enrolling at Burlington (NJ) CC near his home from where he was "followed".) So how about that, Zach was that close to not being a Brewer. Looking back, Blengino's 2005 draft trifecta could have been anything from 0-for-3 to 3-for-3. As it turns out, he hit. 667. *** While I've followed closely the drafts of the various Northeast Area scouts since (there have been three, including former big league Brewer catcher Jesse Levis), I certainly haven't reached out to any quite as I had Tony. So you won't be reading something like this in five years about current Northeast scout Brian Sankey (who signed Jonathan Lucroy while previously scouting Louisiana / Texas), but I do root for those northeast kids and the guys in the bushes locating them. For a blast from the even more distant past (2001 / 2002) that still provides some decent insight today on the life of a scout (or so I?m told), <a class="NormalLink" href="http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewArticle.do?articleId=56">visit my chat with then-Brewer Northeast scout Tommy Tanous</a>. Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT Scouting the Timber Rattlers with Kevin Goldstein http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewArticle.do?articleId=302 Kevin Goldstein, minor league guru for <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com">Baseball Prospectus</a>, took in the Timber Rattlers game on Wednesday, and Brewerfan bent his ear about his impressions of the team. He wrote up a <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=10987">detailed scouting report on starter Eric Arnett</a> at BP, and we picked things up from there. BF: We're already starting to hear people saying that the Brewers should have drafted someone with a longer, more proven track record than Arnett. Are these mechanical problems something he's always had, and he just happened to have everything go right last year, or have the Brewers changed his mechanics, and that's what's causing the problem? KG: I can understand that. It's been mentioned to me by people in the industry that taking a guy who does it for only one year can be a risky endeavor. I don't know what's going on mechanically with him, other than to say he's different than last spring. I don't know if he's been tinkered with, or if he's tinkering, or some combination of both, but he's clearly battling with himself right now. BF: At the time, did it seem like a reasonable pick to you? As opposed to, say, Evan Frederickson, the workout-wonder type. KG: Sure. I think Arnett went right around, and got paid right around, where the industry expected him to. We can criticize in hindsight, but at the time, it made sense. BF: Okay, so a subject a little more cheerful: What's your impression of Scooter Gennett? KG: He sure looks like a "Scooter". BF: Did you know he's <a href="http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20100523/APC021102/5230564/-1/baseball/Rattlers-profile--Gennett">named after a Muppet Baby</a>? KG: No! Really? That's great. I just would note that you never find a 6'4", 220 [pound] guy named Scooter. BF: Unless it's a 1920's-style ironic nickname, like "Tiny". KG: It's really very hard to get past the body, obviously. He's just plain tiny, as are a lot of guys on that team, but I have to give him credit, he really makes consistent hard contact. At the very least he's a sleeper, and maybe more than that. He really can hit, but there's just not much in there what it comes to other tools. BF: Garth Iorg seems to be holding out hope that he can play short, but he's mostly played second. Do you see him as a second baseman? KG: Only a second baseman. Doesn't have the wheels or the arm for the left side. BF: Can he be a good defender at second? Or is his bat going to carry him? KG: I think he can be solid enough there. BF: Better than Lawrie, anyway. KG: That's not saying much. BF: So, you mentioned there were a lot of tiny guys on the team. You're thinking of Gennett, Michael Marseco, Cutter Dykstra? KG: Right. Fatse played too last night. BF: It's something the Brewers apparently don't have a problem with?Caleb Gindl, Max Walla, Erik Komatsu, Kentrail Davis are all short guys?but you prefer bigger guys? KG: I think there's a difference between a guy like Kentrail and a guy like Scooter. But sure, everyone wants big, athletic guys. You can't ignore the little ones, though. BF: Speaking of big, athletic guys, how did D'Vontrey Richardson strike you? KG: Well, obviously, when you see him, you get it. You understand why you'd want to give him some time and see if he can figure out baseball. He's doing some good things, but there are a lot of holes in that swing that need closing. BF: He's drawing some walks. Is that a function of actual plate discipline, or just a lack of a defined plate approach and bad A-ball pitchers? KG: I think it's a little bit of both. BF: It certainly seems that he sometimes isn't sure what to do at the plate. A lot of called third strikes this year. He did seem to have decent instincts in the outfield when I saw him, and he's obviously fast, so would you expect him to be able to stick in center? KG: Yeah. If it happens with him, it's going to take a while. He certainly has the tools to stick in center. High-ceiling athletes are a risk, but it's one you have to take. BF: Right. So, is Chris Dennis still a sleeper for you as a first baseman? Or is the offensive bar there too high for him to register? KG: I still think he can hit. He just missed a home run last night. I'd like to see him tried in left to give him more of a chance. BF: How did Khris Davis strike you as a left fielder? KG: Defensively? I have no idea. How do you judge a left fielder on one game? His reputation is that of a solid but unspectacular type. BF: What's his upside? Fourth outfielder? KG: I think that's fair. Maybe a bit more. The numbers are good, but it's a 22-year-old guy coming out of a big college program. He should put up big numbers in the Midwest League, so he's merely holding serve, really. BF: Okay, last guy?holding out any hope for Cutter Dykstra? KG: Zero. Easily the most disappointing guy on the team. Just horrible at third base with both mental and physical errors, bad footwork, not much of a hitter, and he's not a runner anymore, that's the real concern. Scout had him at 4.25 [seconds] to first base last night, and he was booking it trying to beat out a ground ball. So max effort and he's average. I just don't see anything there, and I can't find a scout who does either. BF: Did anyone else on the team strike your fancy in any way? KG: Both relievers were surprisingly good last night, Pokorny and Lamontagne. 91 to 93 [fastball] with a nice breaking ball for Pokorny, and Lamontage was up to 95. Even the Wisconsin kids tracking the pitches seemed surprised by that. BF: They were showing off for you. KG: Bah. They have no idea who I am. BF: Some of them do. I've talked to a lot of them. Some pay attention to the internet coverage. KG: Well, okay, they have no idea what I look like. BF: True, though as you said, <a href="http://twitter.com/Kevin_Goldstein/status/14810380104">fat guy with the hat</a>, right? KG: Fedora to be exact. It's easy to find me. BF: Why a fedora? KG: Justin Timberlake is bringing sexy back. <a href="http://daily-chronicle.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=28846802&event=977663&CategoryID=55764">I'm bringing hats back</a>. Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT Brewerfan interviews 30th-round pick Eric Marzec http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewArticle.do?articleId=305 Eric Marzec, a two-way star for Youngstown State University, was the Brewers' 30th-round draft pick this year as a right-handed pitcher. I spoke with him on Thursday night. BF: Congratulations on being drafted. EM: Thank you, I appreciate it. BF: Were you expecting it? EM: Yeah, I was expecting to get drafted as a junior and had a hand injury that kinda left me out, so this year I was kinda waiting for a phone call. BF: Did you know the Brewers in particular were interested in you? EM: Yeah, I heard from most of the teams, and I had talked with the Brewers, so I didn't have any idea that they were the ones that were gonna take me, but I had heard from them, yeah. BF: Did they call you beforehand, before they made the pick? EM: The scout called me to congratulate me as it happened. I wasn't watching the draft, didn't wanna really pay attention to it, you know, being nerve-racking and that kind of stuff, so I just waited by my phone. BF: So you said that you were hoping to get drafted after last year, but you broke your hand. You got hit by a pitch, right? EM: Yeah, that's correct. BF: You also had a couple other injuries. You got a pretty significant concussion this season and you also had a stress fracture in your hip when you were in high school. Sounds like you've had a pretty rough go of it, medically. EM: Yeah, haven't been too fortunate on that side, but I'm still fortunate to be playing. BF: Do you think that that's set you back developmentally? EM: No, I think it's actually helped me develop because with each injury you learn stuff, going all the way back to my hip injury, being able to work. I think it's really built up my work ethic and helped me develop into the player I am today. But I'd say the injuries have probably hindered me a little as far as being seen, and that's why I went to a smaller school, and from there on the injuries kinda developed into questionable stuff with teams and scouts and that kind of stuff. BF: So like you said, it's about <a href="http://brewersfandemonium.yuku.com/reply/629113/t/Draft-Pick-Discussion-Rounds-21-50.html#reply-629113">getting your foot in the door</a>, and now that you have your foot in the door, you're primed to let your talent shine through? EM: Yeah, I have no question that I'm just as good if not better than all these guys I'm coming up against, and I look forward to being on the team with all these guys, my new teammates, and making my way through the system. BF: So you've signed already? EM: Yes. My agent and the scout here have worked up a contract, but he's coming up to Canton on Saturday so we can officially sign, but they already have a contract worked up. I fly out Monday and head to Arizona. BF: Do you know whether you'll be staying in Arizona once the rookie leagues start up or whether you'll be going to Montana? EM: I'll be in Montana eventually. They said I'll be in Arizona for at least a couple days, and from there they'll see, but he did say I'll be in Montana at some point. BF: Have they talked to you about whether they're going to use you as a starter or a reliever? EM: I haven't sat down with scout yet to talk about what their plans are for me. Being a dual player, all I know now is that I'll just be a right-handed pitcher. I look forward to just focusing on doing one thing, and that's another reason why I feel like I've got a lot of room to grow. BF: You were an outfielder too, right? Decent hitter? EM: Yeah, I was all right. I had some looks from teams as a position player, as well. BF: Do you prefer one over the other? EM: I mean, I love hitting, but I love the pitching side of it too. I see myself more as a pitcher, I guess--or I see myself succeeding more as a pitcher, anyway. I'm satisfied with the fact that they took me as a pitcher. BF: Can you describe what you throw? EM: I can throw up to five different pitches now in my role at Youngstown, being the closer. My fastball is low-90s, topping out in the mid-90s. I usually throw that and go to my slider, which is in the low-to-mid-80s, and it's usually a one-two punch like that. I throw a two-seamer, a changeup, a curveball, and cutter. I throw those but I don't get to them just because I'm the closer, but I don't know if that'll change when we find out what's going on up here. BF: Unlike a lot of draftees probably, you have at least a little experience with <a href="http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/wiml-m-basebl-body-main.html">Milwaukee</a>, since you guys played in the same conference. You guys were actually in Milwaukee less than a month ago. EM: Yep, we were up there for our last series, about two, two and a half weeks ago. BF: Any impression of the city? EM: It's a nice city. We've been able to go up there for the past four years I've been here at Youngstown, and we stay right downtown, next to whatever mall is right there, I'm not sure. We've been out to different bars. I've been to that <a href="http://www.safe-house.com/">spy bar</a>, that's pretty cool, and we went to Ryan Braun's restaurant. I've been to a few different restaurants, where you sit out on the river and stuff. It's a really nice city. Actually, when I was a sophomore, we were fortunate enough to play at Miller Park when we played the Panthers, and that's obviously a great stadium. I look forward to being there as soon as I can. BF: Well, we wish you the best of luck in getting back here as soon as you can. EM: I appreciate it. I'm excited for the opportunity, and I expect to really perform and show what I can do. Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT