BCB Interview: 8th-round CF Chad Stang

BCB: What’s the status of your negotiations with the Brewers?

CS: Well, we’re trying to get a deal done by Thursday.

BCB: Oh, that's great. Have you agreed on a dollar value? What remains to be done?

CS: That still remains, but it will be done by tomorrow.

BCB: Well that's good news. Will you head to Arizona or Helena then?

CS: Helena.

BCB: Was the 8th round where you expected to be drafted?

CS: Well, it’s not what they told me. They said about the 5th, but I still got a good offer for the 8th round.

BCB: 5th-round money?

CS: Not quite.

BCB: The Brewers told you they were interested in taking you in the 5th round? Or another team did?

CS: [The Brewers] did. That’s what I was told. Then they called me in the 7th and I didn’t get picked till the 8th.

BCB: Were you disappointed?

CS: A tiny bit, but at the end of the day it comes down to how bad you want to play Major League baseball.

BCB: How seriously did you entertain the idea of going to LSU?

CS: Quite a bit. They’re one of the best college programs around. This decision has been the hardest one of my life, but I feel I’m in a win-win situation though.

BCB: It's got to be hard turning away from them given that they're in the College World Series at the moment.

CS: You got that right. But you just never know what’s going to happen, if I did go there. It could up my value or put it down.

BCB: It's good to sign while you still have a chance to get a couple months of pro ball under your belt, I think, too, rather than waiting until mid-August.

CS: Yeah, we were going to wait it out and see what happens. But my advisor and my family thought we need to stop screwing around, get a deal done, and start playing.

BCB: Well that's good to hear. Can you describe your game a bit?

CS: My best thing I got is my speed. I run a 6.4 60[-yard dash]. I can hit with a bit of power, hit great to both sides of the park. I got an above average arm. I’m the kind of player that goes all-out, hustles everywhere. I just love the game and love to play it right.

BCB: I've seen you compared to Hunter Pence. What do you make of that?

CS: I can see that. I haven’t seen him play very much, to be honest, but he has the same body type as me. And the times I have seen him play, I can see what you’re saying.

BCB: Do you compare yourself to anyone in your mind? Is there anyone you model your game after?

CS: There are two: Eric Byrnes and Torii Hunter.

BCB: So you see yourself sticking in center field?

CS: That’s where I feel I need to be playing. I love to run, and I have great speed. That’s where I feel I would best fit.

BCB: Have you always played center?

CS: No, I played a lot of left. This year was my first full year in center, ‘cause a year ago my arm was just not were it needed to be.

BCB: Did you have an injury?

CS: With my arm, no, never have. The only injury I’ve had was four years ago. Tore my meniscus doing long jump in track.

BCB: So when you say your arm wasn't where it needs to be, you just mean strength-wise?

CS: Yeah. I worked and worked on it over the summer. Changed a few things mechanically, and now I’m throwing better then ever.

BCB: Hitting-wise, I've heard your mechanics are a little unorthodox.

CS: Yeah, a little. I still have room to grow. And no one’s perfect.

BCB: Well, unorthodox isn't necessarily a bad thing. One of the Brewers' best prospects, Angel Salome, no one can figure out how he even hits the ball, but he keeps doing it.

CS: That’s very true. I’m just going to go in there, work my butt off, and get the job done.

BCB: So, getting back to the draft, what other teams were interested in you?

CS: Just mainly the Mets.

BCB: Did they indicate where they were thinking about taking you?

CS: They just said I was on their draft board. Didn’t say much else.

BCB: The Brewers have lots of Canadians in their system. Are you excited to play with many of your countrymen?

CS: It’s going to be good. I know a few of them. Just when I’ll play with them is the question.

BCB: Which ones do you know?

CS: Brett Lawrie and Nick Bucci.

BCB: Bucci pitched really well for Helena last night. He also got called up to AA and suspended for hitting a guy. It's been an eventful year for him.

CS: [laughs] Sounds like it.

BCB: Well, that's about all I've got for you. Any parting shots? Got any hidden talents or good trivia?

CS: Well, I’m a pretty good artist and can cook.

BCB: Oh yeah? What kind of artist?

CS: Drawing.

BCB: Maybe you can make some extra bucks designing a new logo for the Brewers incorporating the old ball-and-glove one.

CS: I could give it a shot, see what I can come up with.

BCB: All right, well that's about it.

CS: Thanks.

BCB: No, thank you!