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If the Braves really do want Mat Gamel AND Alcides Escobar (or Ryan Braun straight up) for Javier Vazquez, then it's no surprise he hasn't been traded.

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In anticipation of this weekend's Brewers/Braves series, Martin Gandy of Talking Chop and I traded five questions regarding our respective teams. You can find my answers to his questions here. Here are his answers regarding the Braves.

BCB: What will it take for you to leave Javier Vazquez in Milwaukee with the Brewers?

TC: Mat Gamel AND Alcides Escobar ... both of them. But really I would say one of them would be a good starting point. I don't know your system that well, but if it were to be prospects we would probably prefer Escobar, as we could then possibly swing our current shortstopped Escobar (Yunel) for other needs.

Another option, for which I may be out of my mind here to suggest, but I had the thought a while back about a Vazquez for Ryan Braun swap. That probably made most Brewers fans sit back and say something to the effect of "heck no," but Vazquez is an elite pitcher and Braun is an elite hitter -- it seems mostly equitable to me.

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Evan Anundsen prepares to strike another batter out with his nifty new slider. (Mark LoMoglio)

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BCB: You guys got rained out tonight. Big surprise, eh?

EA: Yeah I know, this weather has been terrible. But maybe it’s what we need as a team to kind of jumpstart this second half.

BCB: Is it hard getting rained out so much? They say starting pitchers thrive on routine.

EA: [laughs] That’s actually a great question. This year, I’ve been tested with it plenty because I don’t think I’ve pitched on a normal rotation for over a month now. I think it depends, though. Sometimes its great to have an extra day off, and sometimes you wanna stay in a groove and keep it that way. Generally, I think if you’re struggling, a day off is the best thing possible, and if you’re hot you wanna keep everything the same.

BCB: You've been hot a lot more than you've been struggling this year.

EA: Well, I guess things have just been going my way this year more than in the past, and even though I’ve strung together a few good starts, any pitcher could tell you when you just have that feeling where you’re either unstoppable or cold. Sometimes it gets masked in this game, because you can go out there with your best stuff and get shelled or your worst and no one can touch you.

BCB: So has anything significant changed for you this year that's allowed your numbers to take the big step forward they have?

EA: I‘d probably have to say just experience from last year, mostly. Like, I haven’t noticed a huge difference in competition, just that knowing that your focus can’t change whether you’re dominating a team or when you’re losing. Just that every pitch you throw can either hurt the game or end the inning.

BCB: The Florida State League in general and Space Coast Stadium specifically are notoriously pitcher-friendly. How much do you think the environment has helped you?

EA: I mean, obviously it helps all pitchers, I think, and there have definitely been times where the large field and sea level have assisted in getting me out of jams and stuff, but I’m a ground ball guy, so if I’m giving up line drives and fly balls then I’m in trouble regardless. Just because I’m not giving up home runs doesn’t mean they aren’t hitting in the gaps and whatnot. So I’d say that I like pitching here, but I don’t think it affects me as much as it affects other guys.

BCB: Yeah, I was going to say, you've always been a ground-ball pitcher, so the heavy, humid air and whatnot probably don't help you as much as they would a fly-ball pitcher.

EA: Yeah, but there’ve been times where guys have hit the ball well and it just dies, so I can’t say it hasn’t helped me out. I’d say that the games where I’ve given up most of my runs are the days where it helps out most versus most other days, because that’s when I’m leaving the ball up.

BCB: That makes sense, and it’s a great point. I was wondering how much of your grounder-oriented approach has to do with going to high school high up in Colorado.

EA: [laughs] Honestly, it really has nothing to do with it, as strange as it sounds. My arm took a beating in high school, and ever since I signed I’ve yet to get that velocity back. So when I was in Helena in ’07, I decided I needed to change something until my velocity came back, so I decided to pick up a sinker. I used to have plenty of tail on my fastball but I had never had much depth to it, so I started fiddling around with grips and next thing led to another and my sinker became a reality.

BCB: You had tail on your four-seamer, you mean?

EA: Yeah, back in high school I had tail on my four-seamer. Never had a need to throw a two-seamer back then.

BCB: How hard were you throwing back in high school and then as a pro?

EA: Let’s see, my senior year I sat 90 to 93, and now I’m throwing 85 to 88. I’m in the process of finding a better offseason routine specifically to increase my velocity.

BCB: That 90 to 93 vs. 85 to 88 is four-seamer vs. two-seamer, though, right?

EA: No, not entirely. I mean, when I pull out my four-seamer now, I get it up to 88, 89 usually. And back then, I’m not sure whether my arm was in better condition or just the easy schedule of starting once a week and the season only lasting two months. That, and I also just threw in high school. I mean, I had a general idea of where I was throwing it, but not nearly the kind of control I’ve obtained over the past few years.

BCB: The fact that you said your arm took a beating in high school, you feel like there's some sort of physical cause behind your velocity loss too?

EA: Well, I’ve pretty much looked back at everything to try and figure out why my velocity dropped. All I can really think of is either throwing 85 innings in about 12 starts, with no care on how many pitches I threw per game, or just I realized that I needed to learn how to pitch and I have just lost some of those quick-twitch muscles that I need to build up again.

BCB: Do you have any bitterness when you look back at those 85 innings in 12 starts?

EA: Well, I’m not a hundred percent sure if that is in fact the direct reason as to why it’s dropped, but back then I didn’t care. My arm never really felt bad, and I was throwing harder than I had ever thrown in my life. So I now know it was reckless and stupid, but I can’t say I regret it at all. It was the best time in my baseball career at the time, and it was also the most fun time.

BCB: Do you ever just rear back and throw like you were then to see how high you can dial it up?

EA: I did a bit last year, and I got it back up around 90 to 91. But I truly think I need to start focusing on it at the beginning of winter workouts. I mean, you can’t just throw one way for six months and then all of a sudden add seven miles an hour to your fastball just by hurling it. I mean, I’m confident that I’ll figure it out. I just seem to have tried all the wrong programs to fix it so far, so it’s now just finding the right one.

BCB: Reid Nichols was quoted in the Milwaukee paper the other day saying about you: "He wasn't a very good athlete when we drafted him. He learned how to work out, got stronger and in better shape."

EA: Yeah, in that regard I've gotten better. I’ve gained weight and pretty much advanced in every other category except my velocity. It’s just one of those things that I don’t know exactly what I need to do, whether it be a new offseason throwing program or different long toss schedule. I’m not quite sure as to what I have to do, but this offseason I’ll be trying everything possible to bring it back up.

BCB: Does the team design the workouts for you or tell you which programs they want you to do?

EA: Yeah, they give us workout schedules and whatnot, but I like to mix it up with my own personal trainer back home to possibly give me an edge, and I don’t think that it’s my lifting that has hurt my velocity. I think it’s more the actual throwing side of it.

BCB: Well, we've talked a lot about your fastball. Can you describe the rest of your stuff?

EA: As in what I’m throwing now, or what I’m working on?

BCB: How about both?

EA: Let’s see, well, I’m throwing both a curve and a slider, and a changeup. I just picked up the slider this year. I’ve been juggling with my changeup grip for the past few years, but I think I have finally found a quality grip, so I’m happy about that.

BCB: Which grip are you using now?

EA: Well, it’s always been a circle change, but just finger placement and how much pressure I put on the ball from each finger has changed.

BCB: And what are you tinkering with?

EA: Well, it’s really just my slider and my changeup. Like, I know how to throw them both, but there are so many different ways to throw them, like where you can get bigger break but less depth or a harder and tighter spin with later movement and less break. It’s been interesting to try them all out.

BCB: You’ve picked up a lot of strikeouts this year while keeping your walk rate static, which is a pretty rare thing--is that because of the slider?

EA: I would definitely have to give it a lot of credit, for sure. It’s become my first out pitch I’ve ever had, and it’s turning into my best pitch. The exciting part about it is that I just picked it up, and I can’t wait to see it in a year or two. On top of that though, I think all of my pitches have advanced since last year, and that’s allowed me to set up hitters in different ways because I can rely on not just my fastball control.

BCB: Do you feel like you can get a strikeout or a ground ball, depending on what you need? Are you actively trying to strike guys out more?

EA: Well, I mean, all pitchers love strikeouts, so I’ve always tried to strike people out. But now it seems that if I’m in a situation where I need a K, I feel confident that I can get one. And this year I’m focusing on my pitch count more than anything, so I’m trying to get through innings as quickly and easily as possible. But yeah, I feel I can get a groundball when I need it.

BCB: Your slider must be pretty damn good then if you're actively trying to keep your pitch count down and you're still getting so many more strikeouts.

EA: It’s definitely added some power to my stuff, but overall it’s been the combination of everything that’s helped me this year.

BCB: How do you use your stuff differently depending on the handedness of the batter?

EA: Generally I stick with fastballs and sliders to righties, as of late, and changes and curves to lefties. I use my change to both sides when needed, but I haven’t used it as much because it’s my hardest pitch to control right now, but it’s getting better.

BCB: We haven't touched on your no-hitter yet. Can you tell me about it?

EA: Well, the game was a 10:30 commuter, so we got the wonderful 6 A.M. bus time for that morning. Honestly, it was really like every other game, except I seemed to be able to throw whatever I wanted wherever I wanted and they all hit it right at people. It was really just funny how you really do need everyone’s help, mostly the other team’s hitters’, to get you into that kind of position. Anyways, during the game I tried to keep everything the same. Like, I’m a pretty outgoing guy, and I didn’t want that scene where everyone is sitting on the other side of the dugout from me. So I really just hung out in between innings, and I think the best help was the fact that the game was so early that I was too tired to think about how big the situation really was.

BCB: Yeah, the milb.com article said you were pretty depressed about the early start.

EA: [laughs] Well, with our schedule it’s pretty routine to be going to bed around three every night, so when you go from a night game to an early morning game, it’s really difficult to adjust for one day.

BCB: What was going through your head when Brent Brewer dropped the pop-up with two outs in the 9th?

EA: Really, it didn’t bother me so much that I might give up a hit to the next guy. What bothered me was that now the tying run was on second, and I was not going to blow this game with two outs. I just wanted to win. That’s really all I ever want to do--whatever it takes, you know?

BCB: You said you were going to take a nap and then cook out after the game. Best burgers you ever tasted?

EA: [laughs] Well, actually we went fishing, and yeah, it was a great afternoon, apart from being on the phone for about six hours solid after the game [laughs].

BCB: [laughs] Well, that's about it. Any interesting non-baseball trivia, hobbies, or skills?

EA: [laughs] No, not really anymore. Baseball has taken away a lot of my old hobbies. It really is a full-time job. Weird to think, since they give us a whole offseason, but you really have to work at it every day.

BCB: Well, whatever you're doing, keep it up. We hope to see you in Milwaukee soon. We have fewer rainouts here.

EA: [laughs] Thanks a lot.

Practice makes perfect for Trevor Kirk (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

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BCB: Where are your negotiations with the Brewers at?

TK: Well, I haven’t signed yet. They sent me a contract a few days ago, but I’m not sure where we’re going from here. We just keep in touch every week or so trying to make a deal out.

BCB: Do you want more money than they're currently offering?

TK: That’s the thing--I haven’t got offered anything. They’re trying to find out how much [money] they’ll have, because I was [a] very late [pick], so they’re trying to get the people in front of me before they throw anything out there, I’m guessing.

BCB: Oh, okay. So they sent you a contract, but it's blank? Or what?

TK: Yeah, they sent a contract explaining everything and how much I get a month and all that. But the bonus has yet to be decided.

BCB: Right, okay. Is there a dollar amount you have in your head that you'd need to be offered to sign?

TK: Honestly, I really don’t know. I would have to figure it out with my family, but I’m sure it’s not going to be outrageous to where I’m just gonna drop everything and go. I mean, I’m only gonna be a sophomore in college. I still have a long time to go, you know?

BCB: Do you have a preference, though? It sounds like you're pretty interested in staying in school.

TK: I’d love to go and play, but I have a few friends playing now that have been struggling pretty bad. So I like the idea of staying in school and getting the rest of my education, but if the time comes, whenever that is, that they throw a bunch of money out there, I will definitely be on my way. [laughs]

BCB: Which friends?

TK: Chad Robinson, you might know him, he plays for the Brewers, right-handed pitcher. He’s been hurt, though.

BCB: Yeah, I do, he had shoulder surgery. He got a bunch of money as a draft-and-follow.

TK: Yeah, see, if I was like that I would be gone playing. What I’m really looking to do is to get bigger, try to get up to about 195, 200 [pounds], have a big year, and hopefully the Brewers pick me up again next year pretty high, ‘cause I’m not sure about D-I. Going back to the metal [bats] I don’t think would be good, so next year I’m sorta looking to go, hopefully.

BCB: Are you playing in a summer league or anything?

TK: No, I’m not playing summer ball anywhere. I was supposed to go to South Carolina, but we decided I needed to stay home, get in good shape, and get up to that weight.

BCB: Do you think that will hurt your chances of getting offered good money this year, the Brewers not being able to scout you over the summer?

TK: No, not really. Their plan was to come watch me at the end of the summer/start of fall, when I’ll be getting back into [playing], but I don’t think it’ll make a big difference. I think I might be doing some workouts with them in the fall, but I think they’ll come during the regular season again, and plus my high school coach is good friends with the Brewers guy, so he can get them to come out for me. He did this year, and look what happened. [laughs]

BCB: Chad Robinson went to your high school, right? Silverado?

TK: Yeah, our coach is some Brewers guy. I’m not sure how he’s linked, though.

BCB: And you said something about metal bats--does CSN not use metal?

TK: Nah, we use wood. We use metal about two weekends a year: going to Florida for a tournament and then we have a bunch of California teams come down.

BCB: Oh, i didn't realize that. Is that common for jucos?

TK: No, not at all. There are only a few schools that do it. But I like the idea, I think it’s more fun with wood. You can’t get those little bloop shots to get a hit; you have to hit it well.

BCB: And it makes your performance more impressive. That's why you're hesitant to go back to metal?

TK: Yeah. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the games are exciting ‘cause there is lot more hitting going on, but a lot of those extra hits aren’t true, so I’d rather just stick with wood. I’ve always liked to play with wood, though, even when I was younger.

BCB: Be honest: How much of wanting to stay at CSN is so you can play with Bryce Harper?

TK: I don’t think it’s the whole idea of playing with him, ‘cause I’ve played with and against him since we were younger ,but I really want to stay for what we’re supposed to be. We had a few holes and we’re bringing in a bunch of good players and a bunch of good pitching. I’m excited to see how good we can be, but yeah, a little bit of it is getting the chance to play with the "chosen one". [laughs]

BCB: So you know him a little bit?

TK: Yeah, I mean, I don’t hang out with the kid on a regular basis, but I see him around the ball field a bunch.

BCB: Is he as good as they say?

TK: I don’t know if he’s as good, but he’s by far the best player from around here that I’ve seen. I went to a game for the playoffs when he played Silverado, and he hit like two or three homeruns. It was unreal, and they were absolute bombs. And he has a cannon from his knees behind the plate. But I don’t think he'll get up to the big leagues and be like LeBron in the NBA. But I think he'll make it.

BCB: Well, how about you? What's your game like?

TK: What do you mean?

BCB: Like, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

TK: Well, it was my first time ever being in the outfield this year, so I would have to say that my breaks weren’t very good, but I made it up with my speed. I’m pretty quick. And I like to think I have a pretty good arm. I think I hit about 86 to 88 from the outfield, 90 once. But I think what I really need to work on is hitting for power. I didn’t hit many home run. I hit for a lot of singles and doubles. I felt like leadoff hitter hitting in the three hole. [laughs] But I can improve every aspect. I need the power and to gain some more speed and get a little bit better arm.

BCB: Did you play in center this year?

TK: Nah, I played right. I think I might play center next year; that’s what my coach’s plan is. We had a kid in center that had a cannon, throwing 94 from the outfield and can fly, he just couldn’t really hit. I mean, he got his jobs done and could be a good hitter but was just up and down this year.

BCB: You said this was your first year in the outfield--where did you play before?

TK: I played up the middle, switching off from short to second. But I wasn’t cutting it in there so they sent me to the outfield ‘cause of my speed.

BCB: So even though you have good speed and a good arm, you think you need to improve them?

TK: Yeah, you can always get better, I think. That’s why I’m lifting at 5:30 every day, trying to push my body to its max to get all I can get.

BCB: So you think hitting for more power is a matter of just getting stronger? I know some players retool their swing to get more loft.

TK: Yeah, I’m not a very big kid. In high school I had lots of power, but that was with a metal, but with wood it’s a big difference. I mean, I had warning track power this year, hit the fence a lot, so I don’t think it’s anything with my swing, just strength.

BCB: That makes sense. Did you get any draft consideration from other teams?

TK: Last year I talked to the White Sox a little, but this year just the Brewers and maybe Mets, and then an Angels scout sent my name in, but not really anything big.

BCB: So would it be safe to summarize your position as willing to sign if you're pleasantly surprised by the offer, but mostly expecting to go back to CSN next year and work on your game and hopefully get drafted higher next year?

TK: Yeah, that’s exactly right. I mean, I don’t want to say I’m not gonna sign, but I don’t think the chances of signing are very high.

BCB: Right, because the team has so many other guys above you priority-wise.

TK: Yeah, you got it exactly right.

BCB: Well, it sounds like the team knows you pretty well at least, so hopefully if you don't sign this year we'll be talking again next year after you're drafted much higher--by the Brewers, I mean. [laughs]

TK: [laughs] Yeah, I hope I get taken by the Brewers again. But then again, I have no say in who’ll pick me up if I were to get picked up again.

BCB: Well, best of luck to you in the future, regardless of what team you end up with. Put in a good word with Bryce Harper for us in case Boras figures out how to make him a free agent.

TK: You got it, man.

Chad Stang looks fast.

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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!

Jordan Wong represents his province.

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BCB: So, it's been a day since you were drafted--how are you feeling?

JW: I don't know. I'm taking it all in stride and keeping everything in perspective. It still hasn't really hit me yet.

BCB: Did you celebrate?

JW: Not yet. My parents are throwing a party this weekend for a kind of draft/birthday party.

BCB: Right, I saw that your birthday is in a couple days. Hell of a birthday present, huh?

JW: Yeah, it’s right up there in my list of best birthday presents. [laughs]

BCB: So what are your thoughts on signing?

JW: I don't really know yet. The Brewers are going to follow me through the summer, and I guess we'll see what happens from there.

BCB: Is there a scenario in which they'd like to sign you but you wouldn't sign?

JW: I'm not really sure. I want to play professional baseball eventually, but I guess we'll see what happens when an offer comes.

BCB: Do you have a specific dollar amount in mind?

JW: My parents and I still haven't decided on a specific dollar amount, but we all agree that it will have to include my schooling for when my career is over.

BCB: Do you have a strong opinion about whether college or pros would be better to develop your game for the next couple of years?

JW: The whole college experience intrigues me, and I think it would be good for my development, but I also hear that the best coaches are in professional baseball, so it's a tough call to make.

BCB: You’re what, 6'5", 185?

JW: Yeah.

BCB: It seems like a lot of tall, skinny pitchers especially go to college to bulk up a little bit and improve their pro prospects.

JW: That’s one of the things that I think would be better about the college route. I still have a lot of filling out to do and a lot of strength to gain, so I don't think that would be a terribly bad decision to go to school for a bit first.

BCB: How hard do you throw now?

JW: I’ve heard different things, but it doesn't really matter to me as long as I do my job and get outs.

BCB: What other pitches do you throw besides a fastball?

JW: Curveball and changeup. I'm trying to work on a two-seam fastball right now, too.

BCB: Which would you say is your best pitch?

JW: I think my curveball, because it’s usually my go-to strikeout pitch and I’m confident enough in it to throw it in any count. My changeup has developed a lot from last year, though, and has been really effective this year. My fastball has really increased a lot in velocity over the past year, too.

BCB: Have the Brewers been scouting you for awhile?

JW: I met Marty Lehn, the Brewers scout that drafted me, last year at a camp in Calgary, but they only really started scouting me this much lately I think.

BCB: They’re known for drafting an inordinate amount of Canadians. Are there other teams that have a strong presence up there? Probably the Blue Jays, right?

JW: Yeah, I think the Blue Jays drafted quite a few Canadians this year. The Phillies did, too. Baseball is starting to get a lot of recognition up here, with help from programs like Vauxhall and strong leagues like the Premier Leagues in BC and Ontario.

BCB: It seems like most players I see are either from BC or Ontario. Your high school is a hotbed in Alberta, though?

JW: We had four of our current players drafted this year, and two of our alumni also went. Our coach, Les McTavish, tries to recruit players from the smaller provinces that don't usually get as much exposure, like Saskatchewan and Manitoba or the Maritime provinces, so we get a lot of great talent from all over the place.

BCB: So, if you don't sign with the Brewers, where will you be off to?

JW: Right now I'm committed to Hill College in Texas, which is a two-year school. I'm in talks with a few four-year schools too right now, so we'll see what happens.

BCB: Would that decision hinge on whether you want to go back into the draft next year? The decision whether to go to a juco or a four-year school?

JW: Yeah, we'll see what kind of offers come in and decide from there. I wouldn't be against going to either a four-year or a two-year school.

BCB: It sounds like the actual education is pretty important to you too, unlike with some players.

JW: Yeah, my parents have always emphasized education and to have something to fall back on if baseball doesn't work out. They’ll support me in any decision I make, though, so they're not pressuring me to go either way.

BCB: What are you interested in studying?

JW: I was thinking either kinesiology or physiotherapy, so then I can stay around baseball or other sports after I'm done playing.

BCB: You’d like to be a trainer?

JW: Yeah, I think that's ideally what I’d like to do. My trainer here in Calgary, Doug Crashley, has a really good setup, and I think I would like to start something like he's got.

BCB: Well, it sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders. Obviously I'm a little biased as a Brewers fan, so I hope you’ll sign, but good luck in whatever you decide.

JW: Thank you very much. My parents raised me the right way.

Josh Prince tags out a runner while playing for the Green Bay Bullfrogs of the Northwoods League last summer. (Green Bay Press-Gazette)

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BCB: It’s been a couple weeks since the draft, and you're about to make your pro debut tonight. What's been happening in the interim?

JP: The Sunday after the draft, the Brewers flew me to Helena, and ever since then we've been practicing and intersquad-ing.

BCB: Did you have to go to Arizona at all?

JP: Nope.

BCB: Ah, you lucked out.

JP: [laughs] Yeah, the weather here is a little different. Some of the guys were in Arizona and they said it was miserable.

BCB: Yeah, that's one of the two universal things I hear from Brewers minor leaguers: Arizona is miserable, and the fishing in Helena is great.

JP: That’s what I hear.

BCB: Do you know any of your new teammates from the past?

JP: No, I’ve played against a couple of them, but I didn’t know them personally.

BCB: Is that hard to adjust to? Going from a team you know well to being thrown together with a bunch of people who don't know each other at all?

JP: No, not for me. I’m a very outgoing person, and I get to know everyone really quick, and I try to make the adjustment easy for everyone. Early, we’re around each other for so long, with nothing else to do besides talk to each other, and so we learn about each other and become friends.

BCB: So it's almost like a boot camp-type scenario.

JP: [laughs] Kinda. It’s very helpful, and I think it’s necessary.

BCB: Who's your double-play partner?

JP: Cutter Dykstra.

BCB: Is it hard to find the rhythm with a new partner?

JP: Every second baseman you play with has a different rhythm, but it doesn’t take that long to find the person’s rhythm when you take ground ball after ground ball.

BCB: It's probably helpful for him to have such an experienced shortstop next to him as he's trying to convert back to second base, too.

JP: I would say thanks, but he knows what he’s doing, so I don’t have to help him very much.

BCB: So, you were one of the first picks to sign. You were pretty eager to get out there and play, huh?

JP: Yes I was. I love the game of baseball, and I didn’t want to try to bargain for a couple thousand more dollars. I wanted to get out here and take my first steps of becoming a big leaguer as soon as I could.

BCB: Eric Arnett had the same attitude, and it endeared him to a lot of Brewers fans. Do players begrudge other players that are seen as the greedy, holdout type?

JP: I really don’t know how other players see it, but for me, I like playing with players who love to play, and if they love to play then I’ll love to play with them.

BCB: That's a good answer. So was the third round about where you expected to go?

JP: Um, you never know how those things work. I was told pre-draft as early as the second but no later than the fourth, so I just prepared myself for the fourth, and if it happened before then than I would just be surprised.

BCB: Can you tell me a bit about why you transferred to Tulane from Texas after your freshman year?

JP: One, it just wasn’t a fit for me. Two, I’ve always known I’m going to play in the big leagues, and my family and I are really close, and I wanted them to be able to watch as many games as they could because in a couple years they won’t be able to come see me play as often. But since I’m from Louisiana and Tulane is in Louisiana, it was a closer drive, and they were able to come and watch me every weekend.

BCB: It must have been frustrating to struggle so much in your first season at Tulane, then.

JP: Yeah, it was, but I wouldn’t trade that season for anything. I really knew I could do it after I jumped back from that season and had a great summer and a great year this year. It taught me to never give in and that I’m good enough.

BCB: Do you attribute it to the astigmatism, or was there something else?

JP: No, it was the astigmatism. As a player who has had success his whole life, you don’t know what a slump feels like, and I thought I was in a slump because I wasn’t able to pick up spin, but as soon as I got glasses I could see spin again.

BCB: Kind of like Major League?

JP: Yeah.

BCB: Do you think that made you a little underrated coming into the draft?

JP: Yeah, I do, because if the scout doesn’t know enough about you before the eyes, then they just constantly see the bad sophomore year and don’t want to take a chance on you. It just doesn’t look good to have a bad year with an aluminum bat, but it also does look better to have a bad year, get glasses, and then have two good seasons.

BCB: Especially when you're a good defensive shortstop. Guys that can stick at short and hit are pretty rare.

JP: Exactly. I feel like I’m the rare breed.

BCB: Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus said you had "blinding" speed. What do you think of that?

JP: [laughs] I like that quote.

BCB: Throw a couple more adjectives out like that and describe your game a bit.

JP: Play hard, competitor, future Gold Glover, future All-Star, season stolen base leader.

BCB: Ah, so you're going to keep running?

JP: Yeah.

BCB: Excellent. So, you got a little experience in Wisconsin last summer, playing for Green Bay. What did you think of it?

JP: I loved it. To me, the most amazing thing I have ever heard in my life is the support and dedication the Brewer fans have. No matter where I was in Wisconsin, everyone boos the Cubs and screams for the Brewers. No one in Louisiana pulls for the same team. [laughs] Everyone [in Wisconsin] loves the Brewers.

BCB: Which team did you grow up as a fan of? Braves? Cards?

JP: I grew up a fan of Ozzie Smith, Derek Jeter—players, not teams.

BCB: Well, hopefully you end up playing ball in Wisconsin this summer too, in Appleton.

JP: I hope so.

BCB: Is there anything else you want to say, anything you want people to know about you?

JP: I’m a very easygoing guy that loves to hunt and play Halo, and pretty soon it will be a Prince-to-Prince putout in the bigs.

BCB: [laughs] Sounds good. Well, best of luck to you tonight.

JP: Thanks.

Lex Rutledge looks for the sign.

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The Brewers are now a team of Princes, but Mississippi southpaw Lex Rutledge is from the home of The King. You never know--maybe someday Tupelo will proudly bill itself as "the home of Lex Rutledge, 26th-round pick made good". At the very least, he'll have some great entrance music.

BCB: How’s it going?

LR: I'm doing good, how about yourself?

BCB: Not bad. So you prefer Lex to Felix?

LR: Yeah, I go by Lex.

BCB: Good deal. Can you describe what you throw?

LR: Well, lately my fastball has been 92 to 94. I throw a changeup around 78 to 80 and a curveball around 74 to 76.

BCB: In your draft video, it looked like you were throwing about 87 or 88. Did you gain velocity as the year went on?

LR: Yeah, that was about mid-season. It was also about the fourth inning. This past Saturday the Brewers area scout told me I was 92 to 94.

BCB: What kind of movement do you get on your curve?

LR: It's a 1-to-7.

BCB: Does it sound like they like your curve, or are they going to want you to go to a harder breaking ball?

LR: Well, it has its ups and downs at times. When I throw it right it has a hard break and usually get guys swinging at it down in the zone.

BCB: "Ups and downs." [laughs]

LR: [laughs] No pun intended.

BCB: The Brewers probably liked that you already threw a changeup.

LR: Yeah, I got that before my curveball.

BCB: Oh, really? That's pretty unusual. Do you have a good feel for it?

LR: I like throwing my changeup. I can usually throw it on 3-2. I didn’t start pitching really until this year, for school anyway, but that’s a story in itself.

BCB: Oh yeah?

LR: Well, just about our coach’s tactics.

BCB: So you were a hitter before?

LR: Yeah, I would like to hit if I could. [laughs]. But pitching I think is how I'll make it.

BCB: So what gave your coach the idea that you'd be a good pitcher?

LR: No one gave him the idea. He never pitched me, and all I wanted to do was pitch. I only threw 19 innings last year. But my high school team was number one in the nation last year by Baseball America. The guys in front of me were seniors, and he likes to give them a chance to play.

BCB: So you felt a little underexposed?

LR: Yeah, or I would have been about to go to the SEC, but no one was able to see me play.

BCB: That must have been really frustrating for you.

LR: Yeah. He didn't play any juniors last year but Chris Stratton. [Stratton] signed with Mississippi State.

BCB: And you feel like if you had played more, you might have gotten an SEC scholarship too?

LR: Yeah, I think that. SEC schools wanted to see me pitch this year, but I went ahead and signed. If I had played last year they would have seen me already. Some SEC schools offered me a walk-on spot because of my arm strength and being left-handed, but I wanted a scholarship and didn’t want to wait.

BCB: Went ahead and signed? With Samford?

LR: Yeah, Samford. I love Samford, though, and I wouldn't want to go anywhere else now.

BCB: Are you planning on going to Samford still, or would you like to sign with the Brewers?

LR: I’m not sure. I think the money just needs to be life-changing to not go to school right now.

BCB: Yeah, that makes sense.

LR: I think right now I would probably get fourth-round money, and I would like more, so they drafted me later for a summer-follow kind of thing and to see if I’m worth more. The Cardinals and Brewers both asked if I would go in the fourth and I said no.

BCB: Go in the fourth for slot money, you mean?

LR: Correct. What’s crazy weird is that Manny Parra was taken in the 26th round.

BCB: Yeah, but they had a longer follow period then. They could follow him all year. They'll only get to follow you for the summer. The Brewers really used the year-long draft-and-follow well. It's too bad they moved the signing deadline up.

LR: Yeah, it really is. But I'll just see what happens with it. I think I would like to go for the right money.

BCB: So really, it's up to the Brewers to decide if they think you're worth the money--you'll sign if they pony up the cash?

LR: Yeah, probably so. If I just put up numbers and show my fastball velocity consistently and throw strikes consistently I think they will.

BCB: Where will you be pitching this summer?

LR: For a local legion team, coached by Kirk Presley, if you know of him.

BCB: I don't; is he related to Elvis? Elvis is from your town, right?

LR: [laughs] Yeah, he’s his third cousin, but Kirk was picked 8th overall in ’93, with A-Rod’s draft class.

BCB: Ah, I see. Let me look him up.

LR: Okay. Wiki has a lot on him.

BCB: He never got out of A-ball; did he get injured?

LR: Yeah, they changed his arm slot up a bit and hurt his shoulder. He had two shoulder surgeries but never got it back.

BCB: That’s a bitch.

LR: Yeah, it was. He would have made it, I think.

BCB: So will the Brewers be following you constantly with your legion team?

LR: Um, I think they will, most of the time I pitch. There’s been talk of me maybe coming up there and pitching and all of them getting a look at me.

BCB: Do you think that's going to happen?

LR: I’m not really sure, but I would like to do that. The scout is going to get back to me.

BCB: Did you know the Brewers were interested in you before the draft?

LR: I did, but I honestly thought I would go in the third round, I was told, and when they asked if I would go in the fourth, I said no. I really thought the Cardinals were going to get me instead of the Brewers, but [there was] signability, and they don’t take much risk on high school pitchers.

BCB: So you were expecting the Brewers specifically to take you in the third round?

LR: Yeah, and I told them I didn't want to go past the third round. I probably should have said yes and made it negotiable. [laughs]

BCB: [laughs] Did you give them a specific dollar value?

LR: No, I never gave them a dollar amount, just round-slot money, I guess.

BCB: What is third-round slot value?

LR: I think around four to six [hundred thousand].

BCB: So if they offered you 400k, would you take it?

LR: I don’t think so. I’d like more, because after taxes that is around 325-ish. Actually more like 305.

BCB: So what dollar amount do you have in your head?

LR: I guess half [a million] or more. More of my parents’ number for me to skip college. [laughs] I just want to play ball.

BCB: If they don't give it to you, you should threaten to go play quarterback for the Vikings.

LR: [laughs] Yeah right--you wouldn't want me to throw a football, it looks like a dead duck.

BCB: Coming from Mississippi, are you Brett Favre fan?

LR: Yeah, my uncle is really good friends with him and has played golf with him. But I’m not a Southern Miss fan.

BCB: My relatives all live in Jackson, and there's a huge Favre cult down there. It's funny, he made lots of Mississippians Packers fans, but now Packers fans hate him.

LR: [laughs] Yeah, that's pretty wild, but I understand why. He should have retired when he needed to.

BCB: Indeed. So, speaking of football and late-round baseball picks, did you hear about this Florida State defensive tackle recruit the Brewers drafted? Jacobbi McDaniel. He's a 285-pound third baseman.

LR: [laughs] No, I didn’t. Dang. Does he even play baseball anymore?

BCB: He said he wants 1.5 million to sign, and now the Noles fans are freaking out because there's a report the Brewers offered him 800k.

LR: Wow. I wish they would offer me that. He must can hit.

BCB: Yeah, no kidding. Gain some weight and become a five-star DT recruit and you can make the big bucks.

LR: [laughs] I just don’t see that happening. Oh well, maybe I can throw 103 and get the big bucks like Strasburg.

BCB: Seriously. So did you grow up a Braves fan down there?

LR: No, actually a Cards fan. My whole family is.

BCB: Oh, really? You must have been disappointed they didn't take you.

LR: I was a little bit, but if I wanted to get what I wanted then the Cards taking me wouldn’t be the right thing for me. They were actually going to take me but just later, until the Brewers got me.

BCB: So as a Cardinals fan, you must hate the Cubs.

LR: [laughs] Already do.

BCB: Excellent, you'll fit right in. Well, thanks for being so candid, I really appreciate it. It's cool to get some insight into how the draft really works.

LR: You're welcome, and yeah, I’m still trying to figure it out how it works.

BCB: And pitch really well so they have no choice but to sign you.

LR: [laughs] I’ll try my best.

Eric Arnett celebrates with his parents after being drafted by the Brewers (Newark Advocate)

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BCB: How's it going?

EA: Pretty good, finally getting a chance to relax now and soak it all in.

BCB: Yeah, it's been a crazy couple days, I imagine. How did you celebrate?

EA: My advisor knew the owner of a local bar in my town, so he had him set everything up and we had about 100 people in there watching the draft, and it was really fun being able to celebrate with all my friends and family and people who have followed me through my career.

BCB: I think I saw a picture from that. Your parents sounded really happy in the article.

EA: Yeah, they’ve been great through this whole process and these last couple weeks.

BCB: So, when did you know the Brewers were going to take you? They were rumored to be on Mike Trout, and he didn't go until the pick before you.

EA: Well, I knew they were interested, and I had a good feeling about going there if I was available. My advisor actually wrote down who he thought I was going to go to earlier that day, and it was the Brewers.

BCB: I heard the Indians were very interested at 15; did you hear from them?

EA: Yeah, it was kinda funny with everyone watching, when it came to their pick everyone let out a big "Awww..." I knew that they were interested, but at that time they had other guys ahead of me on their board.

BCB: You're from Ohio--did you grow up an Indians fan?

EA: Yeah, at a younger age I was, and then they ended up trading everyone so I moved back to a Reds fan.

BCB: We like the Reds all right, but you're going to have to hate the Cubs.

EA: I’m fine with that. [laughs] Yeah, I’m definitely happy with becoming a Brewer.

BCB: I heard you were very impressive at the workout at Miller Park before the draft.

EA: Yeah, I mean it was definitely more of a pitcher’s day with all the hitters still getting used to the wood bats, but I did pretty well, and it was good to get out there and pitch to a couple batters in their stadium.

BCB: Who else was there?

EA: There was a number of guys there, I think 30 pitchers and probably at least another 30 to 40 position players. My teammates Matt Bashore and Evan Crawford were there.

BCB: Bashore went the pick before the Brewers' in the supplemental round.

EA: Yeah, we had a number of players drafted this year. Three before the second round and four inside the top 10 [rounds].

BCB: Yeah, you guys had a pretty good team this year. What do you attribute that success to? Indiana isn't exactly known as a baseball factory.

EA: We came up a little short this year, and we definitely didn’t start off as well as we would’ve liked, but we came together as a team once conference play started, and we started playing like we knew how. A lot of the credit has to go to our preparation this year and how hard we worked before the season.

BCB: What brought you to Indiana to begin with? I would imagine you had some hopes of playing for Ohio State growing up where you did.

EA: Well, I really didn’t know until the end of my senior year in high school that I was going to play just baseball. In high school, I was more of a football recruit, and when people talked me into focusing on baseball, Indiana was the first team to contact me again, and I ended up committing the day of my visit.

BCB: What caused the switch from football to baseball?

EA: Well, I think it was people talking to me and telling me I had a much better shot in baseball, and I think I knew that too, but once the pro scouts started coming to some high school games I knew baseball is what I should do.

BCB: I hear you're not a bad basketball player either.

EA: Well, that’s definitely the worst of the three sports I played, but this year I was able to play for IU and help Coach and the team out a little. Becuase of the scholarship situation, I wasn’t able to play in a game, but I was still able to dress and travel with the team.

BCB: Yeah, I hear Tom Crean put in a good word for you with Doug Melvin.

EA: Yeah, he’s been great, and I appreciate everything he’s done for me. He knows a lot of important people, and he’s been great with letting teams know about me, and I’m thankful for it.

BCB: Coming out of high school, did you get any consideration from any teams in the draft?

EA: Yeah, I talked to a few teams, the Mariners, White Sox, Twins, and a few others, but I knew that I wasn’t going to be a high pick coming out of high school.

BCB: What was your stuff like back then?

EA: I was just a power fastball pitcher. I threw in the low 90s, and my slider wasn’t as good, but after three years in college I was able to learn a lot. My mechanics got much better, and my slider and other pitches got a whole lot better.

BCB: A lot has been made of the fact that you "came out of nowhere" this year after pitching sporadically your first two years. What do you make of that?

EA: Well, this year I definitely became more consistent. My first two years, I had some success, but never became a complete pitcher. This year I was able to build confidence and my stuff improved, and I think my preparation and work ethic really became a huge factor coming into this year.

BCB: So basically you just took it a bit more seriously this year?

EA: I guess you could say that. This year I definitely wanted to show what I was capable of, and this possibly being my last year, I knew this may be my last shot.

BCB: It sounds like you're pretty eager to sign and get your career going. What's the status of that?

EA: Hopefully we can work out a deal here in the next couple days. I’m meeting with the local area scout tomorrow, and we may have things worked out by then. I’m looking forward to getting out there and starting my career as soon as possible.

BCB: I heard 1.2 million, is that right?

EA: Well, I came into the draft looking just for a fair contract. I’m just looking for slot money, and I hear that’s about what slot is this year, after they went down about 10% from last year.

BCB: That dastardly Bud Selig.

EA: [laughs]

BCB: Something I've been curious about: What do you think is the difference between a guy like you or Drew Storen, who signed immediately as the 10th pick, and the Boras guys?

EA: Well, I think that is one of the things that helped me and Drew out this year. We came in being very signable, whereas some of the other guys may have slipped a little just for that reason.

BCB: Did Boras approach you at all?

EA: Nope.

BCB: So the strategy of saying you wanted X amount of money and then maybe falling out of the first couple rounds didn't interest you?

EA: No, not really. I mean, the signing bonus is great, but the real money is in the Major Leagues, and the sooner you’re able to get signed and play, the faster you can work your way up.

BCB: I think I speak for most baseball fans when I say that attitude is much appreciated. So once you sign, what's in store for you?

EA: If everything works out as planned, I’ll be signed before the weekend and be able to go up to Milwaukee this weekend, meet the coaches and the Brewers organization, and then go out to Montana for a little bit in Rookie ball and then hopefully be in Single-A before the summer is over.

BCB: It sounds like the team wanted to limit your workload a little bit.

EA: Yeah, I heard that, but I think if I’m still feeling good and able to pitch I sure want to be out there. But I think they may have me on a low pitch count, at least for the rest of the summer.

BCB: Have they said anything about your mechanics? It seemed like scouting reports were split on them. Some people said you landed really hard on your front leg.

EA: Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, I’m sure there are a few things they’ll want to work on, and hopefully I can pick everything up pretty quick and be better for it. The one thing I know I’ll definitely be working on is perfecting my changeup and splitter.

BCB: I didn't even know you threw a splitter. Did you throw that in college?

EA: Yeah, I haven’t had to throw much other than my fastball and slider this year, but last year I started throwing a split, and at times it’s pretty good. Just needs to be more consistent.

BCB: What kind of a changeup grip do you use?

EA: It’s just a three-finger grip with a finger on each seam.

BCB: Is that pretty good sometimes too?

EA: Yeah, I had a lot of success with it last year, but this year I really haven’t thrown it too much.

BCB: It seems kind of counterintuitive that moving to a more dedicated starter's role, you only needed half as many pitches.

EA: Yeah, and I know that to pitch well at the next level I’m not going to be able to get by with just two pitches as a starter.

BCB: Did your fastball and slider take that big of a step up, or were you just more tinkering with your stuff last year?

EA: Well I definitely added a couple more miles per hour on the fastball, and I really improved my slider this fall.

BCB: Sometimes teams will tell pitchers they can't throw their best pitch in the low minors to make them work on improving other pitches; do you see the Brewers doing anything like that with you? Making you work off the fastball and changeup instead of throwing the slider?

EA: Well, I don’t know what plans they have for me right now. I’ll probably know more when I get down there and start playing again.

BCB: [laughs] Fair enough, I'll stop asking you to read their minds. So outside of baseball, what do you like to do?

EA: Pretty outgoing person. I like hanging out with friends, basketball, football, fishing, and video games.

BCB: Guitar Hero?

EA: No, I’m terrible at that. [laughs] More of a Call of Duty and sports games kinda guy.

BCB: That's good, we don't want you to go all Joel Zumaya on us.

EA: [laughs] Yeah.

BCB: Okay, so I have to ask you about something. Naturally, once you were drafted, we googled you and whatnot, and I think I found the best scouting report ever. It's like...translated from a foreign language to English, or something. [reading]

EA: [laughs]

BCB: You really can't sum up the Brewers taking you any better than "It was a great selection of awesome", can you?

EA: [laughs] I really don’t think I can.

BCB: And it's hard to argue with statements like "Today is." Today indeed is.

EA: [laughs] Yeah.

BCB: And if you want baseball in a microcosm, it's "96 MPH fast ball, the BIGS."

EA: [laughs] Well hopefully I can add to that. And I hope they’re right.

BCB: Well, I hope you're "arm enough to stay healthy" and that you have a great career. Is there anything else you want Brewers fans to know about you?

EA: Well, I don’t know how much they know about me or how much any of them have seen me, but hopefully I get a chance to go out to their Single-A team in Wisconsin and show them what they got. I was honored by all the Milwaukee fans that already added me on Facebook, and hopefully I can get out there soon and don’t disappoint them.

BCB: Thanks so much for talking the time to talk; we really appreciate it. We hope to see you in Milwaukee soon.

EA: Sounds good, and thanks for talking with me.