Skip to main content

Spring Wrap Up Interview: RHP Tyler Knigge

By
As minor leaguers break camp and three quarters of the teams head north to their full season destinations, I had the opportunity to speak with righty hurler Tyler Knigge.

The Phils' 12th round draft selection in 2010, took big strides last year, as he posted a 4-1 record, nine saves and a 0.60 ERA in 34 outings for Class A Advanced Clearwater, en route to becoming a Florida State League All-Star.  The six-foot-three 225-pounder then earned a promotion to Double-A, where he tallied a 2.92 ERA with no decisions and two saves in 21 appearances for Reading.  Additionally, Knigge, who sports a fastball that is regularly clocked in the mid-90's, averaged 9.09 K/9 at the two levels.  He went on to pitcher with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League last year as well.

This weekend, Tyler offered some quick thoughts on his preseason, his assignment to begin the regular season with Reading and more.  Read ahead to check out the interview.


- How has your spring gone?  Thoughts on how you've progressed physically? Any spring training goals met?

 My spring has gone well. Had my ups and downs but that's what spring training is for. Fixing the kinks. Physically, I know I've gotten stronger. That's my goal and I will continue working towards it.


- Early on in spring, a less than ideal outing might not be evaluated the same as one later in spring. Is there any added pressure, as spring winds down, to put forth an exemplary or shutdown effort out of the bullpen?

In spring training, you're always fighting for a spot. Each outing is just as important as the next. I treat each outing as the most important outing I've ever had. Even if it might not mean as such.


- Last year you got the call to spend time with the big league team during some spring games. You didn't get the same opportunity this year. Is that something that you've given thought to and can that type of thing cause a guy to worry about his spot?

 I did spend time on big league side. This year I haven't, due to a hamstring injury. I'm 100% now, but they weren't going to send an injured player over to get hurt again. My job was to get healthy before camp ended.


- I know you mentioned in an off-season interview that you felt like reaching the big leagues in 2013 was not out of the question. Is there anything different for you this spring than others, as far as preparation or what you've worked on, which might help reach that ultimate goal?

 That is my goal. You gotta dream big. And I've kept the same work ethic as last year and have prepared myself the best I can to achieve that goal.


- What are some of your favorite things to do during your free time during spring training?

I love hoppin' on the sticks, playing video games, especially Call of Duty. It's a good time to wind down and enjoy the afternoons without any distractions.


- So, now you're off to Reading.  What's the outlook as you return to Baseballtown?

Yes, that's where I'll be this year and I'm definitely going to make the most of it.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stats to Ponder: Jimmy Rollins Edition

By
J-Roll has batted under .200 for a calendar month twice in his career. In April 2004, Rollins went 13-for-71, for a .183 average. The following month, Rollins went 30-for-107, which is a .280 average. And in August 2005, Rollins went 22-for-117, for a .188 average. The month that followed saw Rollins go 49-for-122 for a .402 average. Rollins is batting .171 so far in May 2009. Improvement is not far away for Jimmy. The Phillies are 10-2 in games this year which Rollins scores at least 1 run. The Phillies are 4-12 in games which Rollins does not score. Jimmy Rollins in 6 games against the Braves this year is batting .071 (2-for-28). In 2008 Rollins batted .284 against the Braves in 18 games. In 2007 Rollins batted .347 against the Braves in 18 games. In 2006 Rollins batted .367 against the Braves in 18 games. Jimmy Milestone Watch: 6 more RBI and Rollins will tie Scott Rolen for 25th all time in Phillies RBI leaders. 7 more triples and Rollins will tie Richie Ashburn for 4th all time i...
2 comments
Read more

Former Player Proposes Marriage on the Field in Lakewood

By
Three's a crowd, Buster...Image- Jay Floyd For one New Jersey couple a unique meeting at the ballpark led to a new meaning for the term baseball diamond. Brian Parker spotted the woman of his dreams from the bullpen bench at Lakewood, NJ's FirstEnergy Park on July 9th, 2010. The right-handed reliever for the Orioles affiliate Delmarva Shorebirds wasn't summoned to pitch that night, but it didn't stop him from getting up and going through his usual warm up and stretching routines to inch closer to a young blonde Brick Township native that he felt drawn toward. "I was acting like I was staying hot, but really I was just trying to talk to her," Parker, a 19th round draft choice by Baltimore in 2007, stated. "I ended up putting my (phone) number on a baseball and we decided to hang out and throughout that whole next year it was back and forth trips between the both of us." The lady that caught Parker's eye was Kristin VanDeventer, who was ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

By
TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...
Post a Comment
Read more