Interview with Ryan Tucker

Posted November 2, 200717 yr

Just a heads up, it's on the front page. Go check it out.

Ryan Tucker was drafted with the 34th overall pick in the first round of the 2005 amateur draft. Tucker spent his high school career in Temple City, California where he posted a school record 0.41 ERA and compiled 112 strikeouts in just 68 innings pitched during his senior year. At a mere 20 years old, Ryan Tucker is coming off an impressive Single-A campaign and is poised to start the 2008 season in Double-A Carolina. Ryan was nice enough to take the time to answer some questions via an online chat.

W.L.: There has been a lot of talk among scouts that you could be the Marlins closer of the future rather than a starting pitcher. What are your thoughts on potentially coming in to close out games in high pressure situations as opposed to starting ballgames?

Tucker: I would love to become a closer in the future, and I feel like I have the ability to make myself one of the best in the game.

W.L.: You have been touted by many prospect outlets as featuring the best fastball in the system, to go along with ?developing secondary stuff? (including a slider, cutter and a change up). How much did your successful 2007 campaign contribute to the development of these pitches?

Tucker: Of all the years I?ve played baseball, I felt like I progressed more this year then any other (year). I?ve started to establish all three of my pitches and I feel really good about going into the 2008 year.

W.L.: In an organization stacked with more young arms at both the minor league and major league level than there are spots available in the rotation, does it put any added pressure on you to move up in the system faster?

Tucker: I feel no added pressure at all, it makes me feel more certain about one day hopefully getting a shot to pitch in the big leagues because the Marlins give their players that shot.

W.L.: You handled the promotion from Greensboro to Jupiter remarkably well after having a little bit of difficulty in Low-A. What was different about Ryan Tucker in 2007 as opposed to Ryan Tucker in 2006?

Tucker: I feel like I became more focused to the everyday activities and just decided on my goals, and didn?t let anything get in the way of achieving those goals.

W.L.: One thing you improved during the 2007 season was your control. Your BB/9 (walks per nine innings) was down from the 4.59 it was at in Greensboro. Did anything in particular contribute to this improvement?

Tucker: That (control) was one of my main focuses and I set one of my goals to throw strikes and to make hitters hit the ball to avoid big innings.

W.L.: What does your off-season throwing and training regimine consist of?

Tucker: A lot of running and a steady lifting program. I?ll start my throwing around the beginning of December.

W.L.: You?ve had the opportunity to play along side fellow pitching prospect and 2005 1st round pick, Chris Volstad. As someone who knows Chris, and has seen him pitch numerous times, could you give fans a brief ?scouting report? of what to expect from Volstad in the future?

Tucker: Chris is one of my good friends and he is a player that is very dedicated to his profession. He is going to be a force to be reckoned with when it?s his turn, I?d be really excited about this guy as a Marlins fan.

W.L.: You?ve got your 21st birthday coming up, and it happens to fall during the off season. Do you have any big plans?

Tucker: Yeah it?s coming up and I?m pretty excited. Volstad and Aaron Thompson are coming to California to spend a week together around my birthday. It should be real fun.

W.L.: Do you have any thoughts on your upcoming 2008 season?

Tucker: In my ?08 season I hope to be successful again, and just stay focused on achieving my goals that I will set for myself before spring training. It will just be fun to be around all my friends.

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