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| Image Courtesy: Fullerton Titans |
Minnesota selected Austin Diemer in the 28th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft out of Cal State Fullerton. The California native may have to brush up on his farming techniques and sit down to watch Field Of Dreams, as he could potentially be headed to Iowa. I had the opportunity to interview him prior to the season.
Here's what he had to say:
Off The Baggy: After
being drafted out of one of the premier college programs at Cal-State
Fullerton, how do you feel that prepared you to play in the Appalachian League
with Elizabethton last season?
Austin Diemer: I was very blessed to play at Cal
State Fullerton. It brings together the best of the best, year after year.
There was competition everyday which forced me to always push myself and play
against the top competitors. After finishing my collegiate season in regionals
I felt like I was ready to compete right away in the Appalachian League. The
biggest thing was adjusting to playing every day instead of a three game
weekend series.
OTB: Having
now experienced a full season of professional baseball, what would you say is
the biggest difference between the competition level opposed to what you were
used to in college?
AD: At Fullerton I was lucky to always
play a tough schedule and to battle against the top pitchers in the country in
inter squads which helped me transition to pro ball. However in pro ball you
are seeing every teams Friday night guy every at bat. I love being able to
compete with the best players in the world.
OTB: Playing
with the E-Twins, first round draft pick Nick Gordon was on your team at short.
Looking at his game and considering his youth, what would you say is the most
impressive traits he brings to the table?
AD: I was very impressed with Nick's
maturity with baseball. The majority of us in E Town had 3 to 4 years of
college experience and yet Nick was fresh out of high school. He also wanted
more and made sure to get it.
OTB: Now having completed your first professional spring training, what are your impressions of Fort
Myers and how everything took place?
AD: I had a blast out here. I
got to Fort Myers a little early and that allowed me to get settled in and
ready for Spring Training to start. I'm excited to keep working and for the
rest of the 2015 season.
OTB: Who in the upper echelon of the
organization have you tried to take things from while working on your own abilities? Is there a veteran that has helped you out at all?
AD: When I first arrived in Fort Myers
before Spring Training two of the first guys I had met were Chad Christensen
and Jason Kanzler. I watched to see how they went about their work and
added on anything else from them I needed to my daily baseball routine.
OTB: Looking
forward to 2015, what area of your game are you working on the most, and what
do you think you have to do to accomplish those goals?
AD: I felt I got a lot of work done in
the off season with speed and power at Elite Athletics in my hometown of
Rocklin, Ca. For the 2015 season I need to
trust the work I put in and just enjoy the game. I'm lucky to be out here and
soaking in every second of it.
Here's to hoping we see the call up take shape soon, and wish Austin nothing but the best as he continues to climb through the Twins system.
