The Baseball Observer Nov-Dec 2015 vol 5 | Page 35

wanted me to do if I came there. The way
he handled everything from the time I met
him to the time I got on campus was just
what I was looking for in a coach and a
school. IT WAS THE RIGHT FIT. I wouldn’t
change the way things happened for
anything else.
Q: What did you noticed first about the
players you play with and against once
you started playing college baseball?
A: Once I started playing college ball, the
first thing I noticed from the players were
they were bigger, faster, and stronger than
in high school. It took some time to get
adjusted, but you have to be a quick learner
because you battle every day to stay in the
lineup.
Q: What does your typical “non-game
day” look like for you?
A: A non-game day: wake up at 6am. 7am.
Is work outs. Then, from 8:30-2:50 classes.
3:00-5:30pm practice. From 7pm to
whenever I do homework and study. I eat
when I can in between that and socialize if I
have time. Being a student athlete takes
hard work and dedication.
Q: You’re there to play baseball, but first
is the education. How does the baseball
program support your education?
A: Tampa is real good about helping the
athletes out when and if needed. They
provide tutors and study hall time if needed
and keep track of your grades so they can
get help if needed before it’s too late
Q: With all the games baseball play
during a season, you miss classes. How
do you stay "on top" of that?
A: If you are going to miss class because of
baseball, I usually talk or email professors
and let them know ahead of time then a
couple days before remind them about it.
They usually understand and you are able
to turn in work on a date that they give to
you that’s not the date you’re not going to
be there.

Q: What was the 2015 Championship
season like for you?
A: Oh, It was a roller coaster ride for sure!
We started off hot. We beat the
Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training
exhibition game. Then hit a rough spot with
some injuries and losing games. Then right
before playoffs started we got hot and went
on a roll! It took everyone coming together
to get the job done, even the bench players.
Q: How did your experience playing
collegiate summer ball going to make
you a better player for 2016?
A: In college summer ball I was able to work
on some areas of the game that I needed to
improve on because there is always room for
improvement. It will help me be a better
player for 2016 because I won’t be as weak
in those areas and will be a better player
from it, thus helping my team because of
that.
Q: Were there areas the Tampa coaching
staff wanted you to improve upon this
summer?
A: Yes, I needed
to improve on
my base
running; stealing
bases to be
more specific. I
needed to work
on my reaction
time stealing.
That is the
biggest thing I
worked on this
past summer.
Q: What overall advice would you pass on
to an incoming freshman baseball player?
A: My advice would be ready to work hard.
Don’t be afraid to mess up. Don’t come with a
big head, prove yourself because nothing is
given. Earn respect first and stay hungry.
Also, don’t get too involved in the partying. It’s
good to have fun, but be smart about it.