Make no mistake about it. The Houston Astros may have lost
111 games in 2013 but they are definitely a franchise on the rise. Led by an overhauled
front office and an impressive
farm system that has been getting better by the year, the team will be back
in contention in short order.
One of the young players who appears to have a bright future
with the club is right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers. Having just completed his second professional
season, he is still a ways away from the big leagues, but with his talent and
pedigree he should make it there in short order.
If the 20-year-old’s name sounds familiar, that’s because it
should. His father, also named Lance McCullers, was a major league pitcher for seven
years for the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Texas
Rangers. From 1985-1992, he compiled a 28-31 record with a 3.25 ERA and 39
saves in 306 games (all but nine in relief).
Clearly baseball is in the McCullers’ genes. The younger
Lance starred for Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. According to the Tampa
Bay Times’ Laura Keeley, he was a perfect 13-0 with a 0.18 ERA as a senior,
winning the Gatorade Player of the Year and developing a major reputation as a
national prospect. He struck out 140 of the 310 batters he faced that year, and
had fielded scholarship offers from major schools for years leading up to that
point.
McCullers wound up being drafted by the Astros with the 41st
overall pick (supplemental round) in 2012. Ironically, it was the exact same
spot his father had been drafted in 1982 by the Philadelphia Phillies.
During his first two seasons, the younger McCullers has done
nothing to tarnish his reputation as a top prospect. Pitching across three
levels, he has combined to go 6-9 with a 3.24 ERA in 33 games (27 starts).
Flashing a powerful arsenal, his 146 strikeouts in 130.2 innings are a good
sign of his future ability to be an excellent major league starter.
During this offseason, McCullers answered some questions
about his career. Make sure to read on to find out more about this important
piece of the Astros future. Also, give him a follow on Twitter to keep up with him as he prepares
for another season and another opportunity to get closer to the big leagues.
Lance McCullers Jr.
Interview:
Who was your favorite
player when you were growing up, and why?: My favorite player was Mariano
[Rivera]. I had such a deep respect, like many others do, for the way he
handled himself. He was a superstar through and through but was so humble and
professional about his game. He is someone I idolize as a player and a
person.
How did having a dad
who played major league baseball impact you?: Tremendously. He helped me in
ways I don't even know yet. I think baseball is in my veins. I love the game
and have a deep appreciation for it. It's unlike any other sport, and my
father, from a young age, taught me how to always respect the game.
How did you first
find out that the Astros were interested in you?: I had a pre-draft meeting
with the club and knew they were at a couple of my games, but the Astros came
out of nowhere on draft day and scooped me up.
What pitches do you
throw and which do you think you need to work on the most?: I throw both a
four-seam and two-seam fastball. I also throw a power curveball and a
four-seam and two-seam changeup.
As a ball player, especially a pitcher, you are always
working hard and trying to find ways to reinvent/improve your game. I think I
just need to work on trusting all of my pitches and being as consistent as
possible with them in all counts and situations.
What do you consider
to be the primary strengths of the Houston organization?: Depth. Everywhere
I look I see big league talent.
What is the best
piece of advice you have ever been given?: To battle every inning and throw
every pitch as if it were your last because once the game passes you by, you
are going to want it all back.
What are your
personal goals for 2014?: Stay healthy and carry a heavier work/innings
load. I will work on attacking the zone, forcing early contact and going deep
into starts.
If you could go toe
to toe with any major league hitter, past or present, who would it be and why?
How would you pitch to him?: Pete Rose. He is the Hit King, plain and
simple. I would come in hard, maybe brush him back a little. Then, come back
with a good curveball for a strike. Then I would challenge him with a fastball
or two on the outer half and hopefully he was out by then.
You can check me out on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @historianandrew
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