Skip to main content

PhoulBallz Q&A with Prospect Anthony Hewitt

Anthony Hewitt is an outfielder for the Phillies low-A level affiliate, the Lakewood BlueClaws. Hewitt, a first round draft pick by the Phillies in 2008 began his first full season as a pro in extended spring training last year. Hewitt later joined Williamsport, of the NY-Penn League, where he batted .223 with 7 HR in 61 games. Now, making strides to improve himself, the 21-year-old Hewitt is hitting .250 in 23 games played, for Lakewood, with 3 homers and 18 RBI.

I spoke with Anthony yesterday. Here is that interview...


Can you speak a bit about your progression, from being drafted to where you are now in Lakewood?

The draft experience was great. After I got drafted, I went to rookie ball, in the Gulf Coast League. And that was an experience to adjust to the speed of the game and the following year I went to Williamsport...still adjusting, still learning. And at the end of the year in Williamsport, it started clicking a little bit. And I came to Lakewood this year. The first week, first week and a half, everything was great. I gotta get used to going up and down and find my niche and staying within myself pretty much.


It seems as though after a slow start to your professional career, you've really picked up your output. What do you attribute to the advancement and strides forward in your game lately?

I just keep working and stay confident, cocky and believe in myself. And (I) don't get mad, 'cause you've got plenty more games and at bats.


What are your impressions of the facility and fans here in Lakewood?

It's nice. Nice facility, nice fan support. It's an experience that I am taking in and I'll never forget. (This venue) sort of puts you in the mindset that the Phillies is an organization trying to groom their future players in the minor leagues and this step gets you in the mindset that they want to win and they care about their minor league players. This is a place close to Philly and we get some rehabbers and we learn from those guys. I think it's a great place to play and a great stepping stone to the next level.


Who was your favorite player growing up?

Many! Soriano, Jeter, A-Rod, Griffey, Bonds, and the list goes on. I don't just have one favorite player, I have players that I take a little bit of their games and I look at myself and think, "Okay, I can do that. I can do this." I like baseball, so I try to look at everyone's game and their craft.


You were drafted out of Salisbury High School in Brooklyn, NY and you mentioned Jeter and some other Yankees players. Were you a Yankees fan all through your youth?

Yeah, definitely. I went to plenty of Yankees games, when I was little. I used to take the 4 train all the way there and get some "nose bleed" tickets and have a blast.


How is the coaching staff here in Lakewood and what have you been able to pick up from them that you haven't seen or learned prior to joining the BlueClaws?

I think the coaching staff is great. Having (hitting coach) Greg Legg, someone that's been around for a while, especially with the Phillies organization. He's a good hitting coach that knows a lot about the game. And we got Mark Parent, a former big leaguer, somebody to pick their brain. He's played with Hall of Famers, so I try to pick his brain. You know, "What kind of work ethic did those guys have?" "What did you do?" Stuff like that. It's good to learn. I pick their brain every day. Let's say I'm DH'ing or something, not playing the field, I'll stand next to those guys and talk about the game, my at bats, just watching and learning and seeing how they react to situations.


Do you think there are any of your Lakewood teammates that are underrated to this point of the season?

Underrated? No. If you're here, you're good. Period.


I coach teen-aged players. What advice would you have for those types of kids who might be hoping to continue playing baseball beyond high school?

Work harder than the next guy. Never give up. And always have as much confidence in yourself as possible. If you believe it, if you dream about it, it's possible.


What is your favorite baseball movie?

Field of Dreams. Because those guys, when you step on a beautiful field- let's say when me and (Jiwan) James, when we came here, we said, "It's the Field of Dreams", because you grow up always wanting to play on a beautiful field with the love of the game, pretty much. And that's what you've got to have every day, to have the desire to keep playing everyday.


What type of music would be found on heavy rotation in your collection?

A lot of motivational stuff, a little bit of reggaeton, reggae because I have a Trinidadian background, hip hop, rock, a little bit of everything.

---------------------------------------


You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball from

McGwire Stays Phony, Despite Admitting Drug Use

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he's taken at

Bubby Rossman's long awaited MLB debut

Eight years after he initially signed a professional contract with the Dodgers and a five-year stretch playing away from affiliated ball, Bubby Rossman became a major leaguer on Wednesday. Added as a substitute for pitcher Kyle Gibson, who is restricted from travel to Canada for the Phillies' series in Toronto, due to his medical inability to be vaccinated from COVID-19, Rossman took the mound for the first time in the majors. Rossman, who was a 22nd round draft selection in 2014 had pitched in 200 professional games before his one-inning outing in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. In 27 appearances with Double-A Reading this year, the 30-year-old right-hander has performed well, tallying a 2-2 record with a save, a 3.32 ERA and a .200 batting average against.   The embedded video below features a media session with Rossman from prior to opening day this year, in which the California native discusses his journey through independent baseball and back to affiliated ball wi