Q&A with Kyle Drabek

Kyle Drabek, former top draft pick of the Phillies in 2006, is currently pitching with the team's double A affiliate in Reading. The Reading Phillies' ace is currently 4-0 with a 2.43 ERA in 5 starts at the double A level this season. Combined with his single A level stats from Clearwater, Kyle is 8-1 with a 2.46 ERA overall in 2009. Kyle's father is former Pirates pitcher Doug Drabek. Kyle took some time last night to answer some questions for PhoulBallz.com. Here is a look at how that went down...

Kyle, can I get you to talk about being invited to play in the MLB Futures Game and how excited you are for that?

Really excited. It's an honor to be selected for something like that. The past players that have been there, I mean, to be going to the game is just amazing.

Were there some advantages growing up with a Major League pitcher for your father?

I'd have to say there's a few. Being able to learn from him every day, whenever I wanted. Just growing up with him, he taught me a lot about pitching, hitting, pretty much just everything about baseball. And it was just great. I love him.

With the NBA draft the other day, NHL draft this weekend, MLB draft a few weeks ago...I wanted to ask you about your draft day. Feelings, who were you with...?

Just real excited for the draft. I had my whole family, some of my teammates- most of my teammates from high school-, bunch of my friends, so it was kind of a bunch of people. My dad was watching the internet, and he told me when I got picked, and it was amazing. I couldn't believe it.

Is there any part of your pitching repertoire or your game that you are still working on improving?

Change up, really. Just in the bullpen- still working on every pitch, and location. But I'd have to say more on change up.

The ML Phils have some injuries to the pitching staff. If you were to get called into the office, and (manager) Steve Roadcap told you that the big club needs you in Atlanta on Wednesday, how would you feel?

I don't know. I know that I'd be real excited.

Do you think you're ready for a step up, or two...?

If they want me, I'll be ready for it!

If you were to hear your name attached to trade rumors, how might you feel or what might you think?

I really don't know. Just....I'd kinda be just like, "What?!"

Lastly, a non-baseball question. What's your favorite Michael Jackson song?

I really didn't listen to him that much. "Thriller" kind of sticks out.

Comments

Amanda said…

Once again, another great Q&A.

Hope to see Drabek a Phillie in the next couple years, but I love that he feels like he is ready.

June 28, 2009 at 6:25 PM

Jason Knapp Q&A

PhoulBallz .com was fortunate enough to meet with Phillies prospect Jason Knapp just one day after he caught the attention of the baseball world with his 7 shut out innings, 14 strike out performance against the Indians' Lake County team. - I asked Jason, the Lakewood BlueClaw , for some thoughts about his big game... I had pretty good command of three pitches (fastball, curve, change up). I was on the same page with my catcher, D'Arnaud , and I ended up, ya know, I felt pretty good. - In a great performance like that, how much credit goes to Travis D'Arnaud , the catcher? More than you might expect, definitely. I didn't shake him off once. He told me what to throw and I do what I'm told. And if it works out, a lot of the credit goes to the catcher. - Does the lack of run support (Lakewood has scored 3 total runs in his 3 starts), in your few starts, increase your stress level, or enhance your focus? No, I just try to go out and do my job every outing. Ya know, we...

PhoulBallz Q&A with Mike Stutes

Mike Stutes completes "The Reading Phils Mike Tri-fecta" over three days, here on PhoulBallz.com. Stutes, a 22 year old, was an 11th round selection by the Phillies in the 2008 amateur draft. Stutes, a right handed starting pitcher, helped lead Oregon State to the College World Series championship in both 2006 and 2007. Stutes and teammate Vance Worley are the first players to begin a season at Reading the year after being drafted since Pat Burrell did it in 1999. Stutes was the Phils' minor league pitcher of the month in August '08, when he went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 6 starts. Check out my Q&A with the third Mike below. Can I get you to talk about the coaching staff and how they help you deal with ups and downs? They've been real positive with me. I started out good and then I hit a rough patch. They've stuck with me through it all. I haven't heard any negative words from them. Every day they try to come out, work with me, try to get me turned around...

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog