Interview with Bats All-Star Yonder Alonso

This past week, beat writer Jason Stella sat down with Louisville Bats All-Star Yonder Alonso, asking him questions about his continued success, move to left field, and the path to his major league aspirations. Here's the full interview:

JS: Since beginning your professional career, you have maintained a batting average near .300 at each level you have played. What do you think has been the key in you maintaining your success as you have moved up and faced better pitching?
YA: Just staying within myself and knowing what I'm able to do as a hitter and not try and go over the top. Just try and stay focused within my game and just work very hard. I think consistency is a very big part of the game, and that's something I always strive for.

JS: Up until this season, you had played almost exclusively first base since coming into the Reds system. This year, you have played quite a bit in left field. Was this an adjustment that started in the spring, and what sort of defensive work have you been putting in on a daily basis?
YA: This has been going on for a couple years now. At first it was pretty tough, but once you get the hang of it and you practice and work at it in batting practice, you get more comfortable out there and it becomes easier on you.

JS: Your production at the plate this season has you on pace to eclipse your career highs in most statistical categories. What do you think has been the reason for your offensive success thus far in 2011?
YA: I just feel like I'm more focused. This is my second year in triple-A, and I know how the whole minor league thing works. I've been healthy, also. Last year I was kind of injured with my wrist that I broke the year before, and I wasn't 100 percent. Now, I feel like I'm 100 percent and I'm here to do well.

JS: Last September, you made your major league debut and appeared in 22 games with Cincinnati. Describe this experience and your mindset as you got to take part in the race for the division title.
YA: It was great. You get the chance to be a big leaguer for a month-and-a-half. You get the chance to play in a big league stadium and wear a big league uniform, and words can't really describe what that feels like.

JS: Instead of signing with the Twins out of high school, you elected to play college ball at the University of Miami, playing three years with the Hurricanes before being a first round pick of the Reds. Describe your experience playing at Miami and how it helped prepare you for being a professional.
YA: It was great. I think Miami is the best school in Florida, and it has one of the best programs in the United States. Miami is always in the hunt for the College World Series. It's taught me everything, how to grow up, how to be a man, and how to take care of my own things. I give a lot of thanks to them.

JS: You throw right-handed and bat left-handed. At what point did you develop this characteristic, and is there any particular reason that you don't bat and throw with the same hand?
YA: Ever since I was younger, my dad was the one who told me to hit lefty and throw righty. I liked it, and so far it has worked out well and is paying off.

JS: As you continue to enjoy success at the triple-A level, is there any one particular area that you are working to improve the most as you try to get a more prolonged opportunity in the big leagues?
YA: I feel like every day I can work on something, whether it be base running, hitting, fielding, throwing. Every day I'm out there and I'm trying to learn, and I feel like that's part of the game. You don't know the whole game, and every day you see something different, so you try and learn something every day.



(minorleaguebaseball.com)