So there was a little confusion about the interview time, but I got the call from Ethan Martin today.
Those of you who don't know, Martin was the Dodgers first-round draft pick in last year's draft. He was the 15th overall pick out of Stephens County High School in Georgia. He's currently pitching for the Great Lakes Loons in Single-A, and he is currently 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA with 45 K's in 35 IP.
Every outings been either very good or pretty solid. Yesterday he got touched up a little bit against Western Michigan, giving up four runs in five innings.
Here is what he had to say.
FDB: What do you know about the Dodger organization and what do you like about it?
Ethan: I didn't know much coming in, but after I got here I saw that everyone is here to help, and they are giving me a lot of support. They are working with me on what I know and nobody is trying to change me, which I really like. They are helping me a lot as I go along.
FDB: Do they have your path to the Big Leagues mapped out? Do you pretty much know when they will be promoting you or will it be a total surprise?
Ethan: I don't have a clue about anything right now. I just have to keep going out there and keep working hard. I have no clue where I am going or when I am going. I just have to go out and perform to make them make the decision to promote me.
FDB: What kind of pressures come with being a top pick and a guy that is expected to be on the fast track?
Ethan: I'm just going out there like another guy on the team, I don't look at myself as anything different. I go out and work hard just like the rest of the guys. I get a little more attention from the media and stuff, but on the field I'm just another guy trying to work his way up.
FDB: When do you expect to debut and what things are you working on to get to that point?
Ethan: I don't have a clue right now. I'd like to be up there in a couple of years. I'm trying to work as hard as I can to improve and make them make that decision to promote me as soon possible.
FDB: What are your strengths right now?
Ethan: I'd have to go with my fastball. Other than my last outing I've had pretty good control with it and I've been able to maintain a steady velocity throughout the game.
FDB: What do you think about the idea of pitching at Dodger Stadium?
Ethan: The fans out there are great and there are a lot of them. I just can't wait to play in front of them and I want to do the best I can to make them happy and win baseball games.
FDB: What is life like in the Minor Leagues?
Ethan: I heard a lot of bad and good things coming into it, but it's not that bad, you just go out every day and play. You have long bus trips, but that's just normal. You have a lot of freedom and a lot of the time it's the first time you get to live on your own.
FDB: Which team did you grow up rooting for?
Ethan: The Atlanta Braves.
(He's from Georgia, so that was probably a silly question.)
FDB: Who is your favorite player of all time?
Ethan: I'd have to say Hank Aaron is my favorite player of all-time. As for when I was growing up I'd have to say John Smoltz or David Justice because I grew up watching them when I was really young.
FDB: Have you modeled yourself after another pitcher?
Ethan: I haven't modeled myself after anybody, but I'd I like to be like Smoltz. I'd like to go out there, be a competitor and have a long career.
He has been pitching great, wonder if there is going to be a promotion for him in the near future...I dont want to rush him but last time I checked he had an ERA below 2.00
No show no call? that must have been frustrating...hope you get the interview
Do you know anything about Kyle Russell other than he has 10 HRs in 137ABs so far this season? Guy looks like a stud...a big 6'5 stud!
Looking forward to seeing him soon in LA, probably wont be for 2-3 years but if he keeps this up he could be in AA soon. Is Great Lakes high A or low A?
Great Lakes is just regular A Ball. There High-A is Inland Empire. Ogden is the equivalent of a Low-A, short-season type team.
And I think Casey Blake is being moved to the temporary free pass list on the next update. The guy is a gamer. I love it. He's cut down his strikeouts, which was my biggest problem with him the first few weeks.
Kyle Russell is shooting up the chart as far as Dodger prospects go. Here is what I know about him:
He's a tall kid, who's still filling out and he leads the Midwest League in home runs and RBI despite hitting near the bottom of the order most of the year. He's got great opposite field power, hitting half of his homers the other way, he's an excellent defender, good arm with decent speed. Probably more of a corner outfielder when he gets to the Bigs. From what I hear he's likeable, popular with his team and sometimes he gets a little too down on himself when he's going bad.