DeAndre Smelter Interview- 6/4/2010

MLBScoutBuzz: Hi DeAndre. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions with MLB Scout Buzz. What are your plans for draft day?

 DeAndre Smelter: I plan on just having some close friends and family over, and we are going to enjoy a day that we will remember forever.
 

M.S.B.: Do you have any superstitions on gameday? How about in the days leading up to a start?

 D.S.: I’m not really superstitious.  I try to do the same thing between every start thought.  I just try to get a good meal, get hydrated, and get mentally focused.
 
 

M.S.B.: When did you first realize that you had a chance to get drafted and play professional baseball?

 D.S.: I really never thought about the draft until last summer and that is when I realized it.
 

M.S.B.: Which current major league pitcher would you compare yourself to?

 D.S.: I don’t think I compare to a pitcher in the league right now.  
 
 

M.S.B.: Who is the best hitter you have ever pitched against?

 D.S.: Austin Wilson
 

M.S.B.: Ok, we’re going to put you on the spot here. Who is the most talented teammate you have ever had?

 D.S.: I have had a lot! The smoothest with the leather is probably between Tyler Thompson and Casey Hartley.
 
 

M.S.B.:  What is the one thing you think you’re going to have to improve most on your way to the big leagues?

 D.S.: I will have to work on developing all of my pitches.
 

M.S.B.: Obviously, there are a number of teams that would love to make you part of their organizations, but have any teams expressed particular interest in you?

 D.S.: I don’t know as of right now.  Hopefully one of them likes me. 
 
 

M.S.B.: Are there any teams that you would be especially interested in playing for?

 D.S.: Not really.  Playing for any team would be great in my eyes.

 

 M.S.B.: What’s your biggest hobby off the field?

 D.S.: My biggest hobby is going out with friends, listening to music, and playing video games.

M.S.B.: Well DeAndre, thank you very much for answering a few questions for us.  Best of luck to you in the future!

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Chad Bettis Interview- 5/30/2010

MLBScoutBuzz- Hi Chad. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions with MLB Scout Buzz. What are your plans for draft day?                  

Chad Bettis-  I plan on it being one of the most exciting days of my life. I will probably get up early, have my favorite breakfast, go to the golf range, and then just hang around my family and dogs all day. I plan on being very relaxed and soaking everything in.
 

M.S.B.- Do you have any superstitions on gameday? How about in the days leading up to a start?
 

C.B.- Actually I have a superstition on telling my superstitions. Sorry guys.
 

M.S.B.- When did you first realize that you had a chance to get drafted and play professional baseball?  

C.B.- I first realized it out of high school when I went to the Houston Astros try out. But I do not believe it hit me until after this summer that I had a real chance.
 

M.S.B.- Which current major league pitcher would you compare yourself to?

C.B.- Intensity wise- Jonathan Papelbon. Closing mentality- Mariano Rivera. Starting mentality- C.C. Sabathia.
 

M.S.B.- Who is the best hitter you have ever pitched against?

C.B.- Hits for Average- Christian Colon. Hits for Power- Michael Choice.
 

M.S.B.- Ok, we’re going to put you on the spot here. Who is the most talented teammate you have ever had?

C.B.- I don’t think I can point out one certain teammate. But playing this summer for Team USA, I feel was the most talented team I have ever been on!!
 

M.S.B.- What is the one thing you think you’re going to have to improve most on your way to the big leagues?

C.B.- The location of my off speed needs to improve.
 

M.S.B.- Obviously, there are a number of teams that would love to make you part of their organizations, but have any teams expressed particular interest in you?

C.B.- Boston, Seattle, Angels, Giants to name a few.
 

M.S.B.- Are there any teams that you would be especially interested in playing for?

C.B.- Not really. I would love to be a part of any organization!

M.S.B.- What’s your biggest hobby off the field?

C.B.- Golf and fishing. 

M.S.B.- Well Chad, thank you very much. We wish you all the best in the future!

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Kyle Blair Interview- 5/28/2010

MLBScoutBuzz- Hi Kyle. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions with MLB Scout Buzz. What are your plans for draft day? 

Kyle Blair - I will be with my family at my house in Coronado. This is very important to me because they have been there for me all my life and I couldn’t ask to be in a better place during draft day.

 

M.S.B.-  Do you have any superstitions on gameday? How about in the days leading up to a start?

 K.B. -I am a very superstitious pitcher. I always have to do the same thing before every pitch. (head tilt back and forth and a swipe of the rubber.) The night before a start, I drink ¾ of a gallon of water and a huge plate of pasta (preferably chicken pesto.) I stretch for nearly an hour before I go to sleep and an hour after I wake up in the morning. 

 

M.S.B.- When did you first realize that you had a chance to get drafted and play professional baseball? 

K.B. - I first noticed that I had a chance to play pro ball in High school when I was lucky enough to have the chance to be drafted.

 

M.S.B.- Which current major league pitcher would you compare yourself to?

 K.B. -Chris Carpenter.

 

M.S.B.- Who is the best hitter you have ever pitched against?

 K.B.- Jason Heyward. Hands down.

 

M.S.B.- Ok, we’re going to put you on the spot here. Who is the most talented teammate you have ever had?

K.B.- Sammy Solis. He is a big lefty and has absolutely dominating stuff.   

M.S.B.- What is the one thing you think you’re going to have to improve most on your way to the big leagues? 

K.B.- The biggest thing I am going to have to improve is fastball command. It has been my Achilles heel and although I have it at times it needs to be more consistent.

 

M.S.B.- Obviously, there are a number of teams that would love to make you part of their organizations, but have any teams expressed particular interest in you?

 K.B.- Going through the draft once out of High School I have come to understand that the draft is a hard thing to read. So, as of now, it don’t really have an idea.

 

M.S.B.- Are there any teams that you would be especially interested in playing for?  

 K.B.- Any club but if I had to choose probably the San Francisco Giants because they are my hometown team and grew up going to games at ATT park.

 

M.S.B.- What’s your biggest hobby off the field? 

K.B.- I love the beach and playing over the line waffle ball or beach volleyball with my friends.

M.S.B.- Kyle, thank you very much. We wish you the best in the future!

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Asher Wojciechowski Interview- 5/25/2010

MLBScoutBuzz-   Hi Asher. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions with MLB Scout Buzz. What are your plans for draft day?

Asher Wojciechowski- I am not sure yet. I am focused in on the games we have coming up to be honest, I haven’t thought a lot about it yet. With the possibility of being in a regional and what not, my mind isn’t focused on that right now. But whatever my plans end up being, it will involved my family.

 

A.W.- No, not really. I have the same routine I do all the time, but no real superstitions.

A.W.- I am not sure of any current major league pitcher, but I really identify with John Smoltz. I really liked watching him pitch in his prime and liked his style.

A.W.- It was hard to keep with all the guys, but it had to be last summer pitching for the U.S. National Team. There were so many guys we were facing off against, it’s hard to single out just one.

A.W.- Probably would have to be my roommate from last summer with the U.S. team, Rick Hague, infielder from Rice. 

 

A.W.- Almost all of them at some point really.

A.W.- Playing the guitar for sure.

M.S.B.- Thanks again for taking the time to answer a few questions for us. Best of luck to you!

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