Q & A With Top Prospect: Cory Hahn

Cory Hahn and I were able to chat a bit the other day and he was nice enough to answer some questions for the site. Coming out of Mater Dei High, a power house in California, Hahn was ranked as a top 100 by Perfect Game and elected to fulfill his commitment to Arizona State, passing on signing with the Padres.

1. First off, congrats on all the success you've had thus far in your baseball career. Last year you were drafted by the Padres in the 26th round. Can you walk me through that experience and how you ended up at Arizona State.

1. Thank you, as for the draft process last year it was quite interesting and exhausting. all the teams knew that i wanted to go to college but i was signable. Over the summer there was at times alot of communication and at other times there was hardly any communication. Arizona state was always a place i wanted to go to and when i came down to the wire things just did not work out between me and the padres and so i had no problem with packing my bags and heading to ASU.

2. Coming into a loaded, but young Sun Devils team, what are some expectations you guys are having this year as a team?

2. Well being a Sundevil always means we have that expectation to be the best team in the country and thats no different this year. we had a great fall and with the talent we have on this team there is no reason why we cant be the best team this year. Our expectations are to capture another Pac 10 championship and hopefully also the big prize of a national championship

3. When did you realize that you were a gifted baseball player and could do something special with your talents?

3. I have always loved the game of baseball and so i never really paid attention to how good i was specially at a young age; im just a huge competitor and always strive to be successful so it did not hit me until i started getting college attention along with professional attention that i have the tools to someday be a big leaguer.

4. Throughout this upcoming spring, are you going to be a two way player or just focus on one position?

4. As for being a two way player, that is up to my coaching staff, my primary position is the OF and as for pitching that is a decision my coaches will make as the season goes on. They do know that regardless of whether i am in the outfield or the mound i will give it everything i got.

5. What is your favorite personal baseball memory?

5. I have quite a few baseball memories, but the two that stand out the most are first making the 18u national team as that was an experience ill never forget and second and most importantly was winning the CIF championship this past june with my high school team. Ending my high school career with that win was all i could ask for.

6. Who is your favorite player and team?

6. My favorite player would have to be Josh Hamilton and my favorite team is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

7. Do you keep in contact with other top players from your class that you've met throughout your travels?

7. I have gotten the opportunity to meet a lot of players throughout the years and have made some very good friends and yes i keep in contact with quite a few of them on a daily or weekly basis.

8. How do you feel about signing autographs? Do you get a lot of requests or not quite yet? 

8. I personally enjoy signing autographs, especially for kids who look up to me it is an honor to be able to give back to the fans and as for requests i get a good amount through the mail and when i am back in my hometown i get some people to ask for an autograph while i am out in public.

Q & A With Top Prospect: Hunter Swilling

Hunter Swilling is a middle infield prospect from Russell County high school that has loads of talent and ranks among the top 50 prospects in the 2013 high school class.

1. First off, congrats on the successful spring/summer seasons. With all the national exposure, colleges must be knocking on the door. Who has been in contact with you and which schools are your favorite so far this early in a long process.
1.lsu, alabama, auburn, north carolina, and georgia. My two favorites are alabama and north carolina.

2. When did you realize that you were a gifted baseball player and could do something special with you talents? 
2.i relized i was gifted with a baseball talent at the age elven when i started working hard and relized that god has given me a great talent to use.


3. What position do you see yourself playing in the future, either INF, OF or pitcher, as your have a strong arm at all position.
3. In the future i see myself a middle infielder, more a second basemen with a short stop arm .


4. By being a ranked player in the 2013 class, how does this motivate/inspire you as a player? 
4. when i first found out i was ranked i was pretty exited but its hurt knowing there was forty six other baseball players out there better then me , so it motivated me to work harder an get stronger to be the best i can be.


5. What is your favorite personal baseball memory? 
5.i have had a lot of memories growing up but the best one was probaly last year in fort meyers for the national championship and we beat the orlando scorpians in the championship.


6. Who is your favorite player and team? 
6. my favorite team is the new york yankees and my favorite player is nolan ryan


7. Do you keep in contact with other top players from your class?

7. i still keep in touch with some of them i talk to kevin davis some, travis demeritte, and robert kaminsky

Q & A With Top Prospect: Cheyne Bickel

Cheyne Bickel is a RHP out of Dwyer High School in North Palm Beach. He is a current signee to the University of Mississippi and currently ranks among the top 50 players for the 2013 high school class. I was able to catch up with him and ask him some questions and here's what he had to say.

1. First off, congrats on signing with Mississippi, was this an easy decision for you and what other schools were in the mix? How old were you when you got your first college letter?
1. yes it was an easy choice, i really enjoyed the campus and the school learning and environment. um yes i had other schools looking at me as well. but i really enjoyed being at ole miss. i was 15 when i first looked at colleges, and now im 16.


2. When did you realize that you were a gifted baseball player and could do something special with you talents?
2. well, i started playing baseball when i was just 11, and i just really enjoyed pitching and being able to control the game.


3. As a pitcher, what does your repertoire consist of and where does each pitch clock in at?
3. i throw fastball - 2seam and 4seam. around 89-93mph.
curve ball 12/6 around 73mph curve ball 2/8 around 73mph as well. then i throw a slider 3/9 around 71-74mph. and a changeup around 75mph

4. By being a ranked player in the 2013 class, how does this motivate/inspire you as a player?
4. um i dont really play as if im ranked or not. i just go out and do the best i can every game and give my full effort into the different situations that may occur throughout the game. i love being ranked as well, but i dont act any different on and off of the field.


5. What is your favorite personal baseball memory?
5. batting -11 year old all-stars i had 2 home-runs in the same inning.
pitching - 14 i threw a no-hitter in the state championship game.

6. Who is your favorite player and team?
6. rick ankiel and new york yankees

7. Do you keep in contact with other top players from your class?
7. yes, ronnie healy is one of my best friends and he is also ranked in the top 10 and we live in the same town

Q & A With Top Prospect: Travis Demeritte

I was recently able to catch up with Travis Demeritte, an Inf/P from Winder Barrow high school in Georgia. A top player in his class, Travis made a statement this summer and will look to build off of it come this spring and summer.

1. First off, congrats on the successful spring/summer seasons. With all the national exposure, colleges must be knocking on the door. Who has been in contact with you and which schools are your favorite so far this early in a long process.


 1.) Thanks. But umm,, a lot of schools have sent me letters. I've gotten them from Florida, Miami, Georgia, Clemson, Viginia Tech & GA State but my favorite schools of are Arizona State, Texas & Cal State Fullerton.

2. When did you realize that you were a gifted baseball player and could do something special with you talents?

2.) I really started paying to these things at around 13!

3. Do you see yourself as a 3rd base/INF or a pitcher in the long run? I know this June you hit 90 at the PG/EC Invitational, what other pitches do you throw and where do they check in at?

3.) I love hitting so I'll have to go with 3B! I have a couple pitches I throw & some new ones that I'm trying to put in. I throw a 4-Seam, 2-Seam, Curveball, Changeup & a Slider.

4. By being a ranked player in the 2013 class, how does this motivate/inspire you as a player?

4.) I mean, it pushes me to work harder & strive to be better. It also tell me that I have a chance to do something special!
5. What is your favorite personal baseball memory?

5.) Ummm,, I Would Have To Say Either Winning Cooperstown On N.A.T.C Week Or Winning The Elite My 14U Year! I Also Love My CABA Trip. I Have A lot Of Good Memories!

6. Who is your favorite player and team?

6.) My favorite player will always be Barry Bonds no matter what & my favorite team will always be the Yanks. Hometown Team! Haha

7. Do you keep in contact with other top players from your class?


 7.) Ummm,, I chat with a couple but not many! Maybe like 2 or 3.