Getting to First Base

While fans and writers around the country sort through their teams’ newest additions to try and figure out whether they were good picks, how they’ll fit into the team’s future, or whether their GM is insane, I decided to get a player’s perspective on the whole process.

The Royals chose high schooler Tyler Sample, a right-handed pitcher, in the 3rd round of the 2008 Draft. After the draft, he headed to the Arizona Rookie League for his first taste of professional pitching experience. [stats]

Minda Haas: If you got to give a speech to a room full of high schoolers in this year’s Draft, what are some things you would tell them? What was the most surprising thing about your own draft day experience?

Tyler Sample: If I was giving a speech to high schoolers I would tell them don’t go into the draft with any expectations! Everyone may be telling where you might go in the draft but they really never know until the players actually start going off the board. Where ever you go in the draft be happy with it because its an honor to be taken anywhere! Choose wisely based on your own circumstances whether to go to college or to start your pro career!

MH:  Now that you’ve gone through a year in the rookie leagues, what kinds of things have you learned about life in pro ball?

TS:  Going through a year in rookie ball I have learned that in order to be successful here you have to be able to throw strikes with your fastball and that it is no longer possible to just throw it by guys any more.

MH: What are your goals and hopes for this season?

TS: This up coming season I am just looking to keep making progress with my fastball control, becoming more consistent with my mechanics and improving on the amount of walks I give up!

MH: Did you ever consider turning the Royals down and going to college?

TS: I never did consider turning down the Royals to go to play with the Razorbacks! My goal was always to play professional baseball ever since I can remember and as soon as that dream was realized I had to jump all over it!

MH: What MLB team did you root for growing up? (I’m guessing the Rockies, but I figured I’d ask…) [Ed note: Sample is from Colorado]

TS: I actually never grew up really rooting for the Rockies! My dad was a Yankees fan growing up, so naturally I grew up watching the Yankees!

MH: What year are the Royals going to win another World Series?

TS: I really cant touch on that subject! haha We are working on a long drought of even making it to the playoffs but I do see things turning around as of late with the amount of talent we have on the major league team and even all the way down to the players in the lower levels of our minor league system! I see a lot of talented guys that would sooner or later be able to help out the Royals in the future!

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