Last week I had a chance to talk with Scott Carroll and he was kind enough to answer some questions for me.
RML: Who was your favorite player growing up?
SC: Growing up my favorite sports were basketball and football. I watched baseball and played it, but the other sports were my first love. But with that being said, I was a big fan of David Cone. He had a stint with the KC Royals and I admired his work ethic and enjoyed watching him pitch. I remember, as a little kid, trying to use the same pitching mechanics as David.
RML: What pitches do you throw and how do you feel about all of them?
SC: The pitches that I throw are a 4 seam fastball, 2 seam fastball, curveball, slider, and a split change. I feel that my best pitch is my 2 seam fastball. I know i need to continue to improve on my slider, but i feel good about it. I feel that all of my pitches are quality, but i just need to continue to work on consistency
RML: It looks like your season came to an end in July. What happened? How is it doing today?
SC: My season came to an early end due to me having a right hip bone spur. I had surgery on my right hip in August. My recovery has gone really well, and I’m looking forward to getting back on the mound and competing.
RML: Your minor league track record shows that you get an extraordinary amount of groundballs. Is that something that you try to do, or is it just a byproduct of your pitches?
SC: Ground balls are definitely something i try to get, and they are also a byproduct of my pitches. I try to focus on pitching low in the zone. Along with that, i try to keep hitters honest by pitching inside at a good amount. Luckily, the movement that i have on my pitches, results in alot of ground balls.
RML: What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as a pitcher?
SC: I feel that my strengths as a pitcher are my competitiveness; i hate to lose, my athleticism, game savvy, the ability to be coachable, work ethic, keeping emotions under control during a game or adverse situations, arm strength and movement of pitches. My weaknesses are consistency of offspeed pitches, holding runners consistently and hitting (hahahahaha I’m a terrible hitter. Im working on it though).
RML: What would you like to improve upon the most going forward?
SC: What I would like to improve most on going forward would be, consistency of offspeed pitches and holding runners better.
RML: Who was the toughest hitter you have had to face in your career so far?
SC: I would have to say the toughest hitter i have had to face in my young career would be Logan Morrison, who is in the Marlins organization. He did and does have a great approach at the plate, and he doesnt get fooled very easily.
RML: What are your goals for the 2010 season?
SC: My goals for the 2010 season are fairly vague, but i definitely want to improve throughtout the year and show my progression as a pitcher, i want to advance through the organization, and the final “goal” if you will, is to have a happy and healthy season.
I just wanted to thank Scott for taking the time to sit down and answer some questions for me.