Feature Story - Anthony Aliotti
Anthony Allioti is in his second season here in Midland and has made it a season for the record books. His average has been in the .350 range all season and has an astounding 1.052 OPS. The 5th year pro was drafted by Oakland in the 15th round out of St. Mary's and has worked his way through the system. Lucky for us, the RockHounds first basebman, who has played in every game this season, was able to put down the bat and answer a few questions.
What is your biggest motivator?
Just the ability to get better, you come here every day ready to work, and I'd feel a little out of place if I wasn't in the cage early, or getting my swings in. When you start to get hot you don't want to change anything that you've been doing, you want to stay consistent.
What have you learned along the way in your five years?
How to get ready for a game is a big one. Coming in your first year your excited to play, you got drafted, you've got this picture in your head of what pro ball is like and you think you are ready to play the game every day. But it takes a couple of years to be ready, get your body ready, you know how to be mentally ready for the game, how to attack a pitcher, game planning and stuff like that.
Years from now, when you look back on your career, what will be the measuring stick to determine how successful you are in your own eyes?
I would say how my teammates looked at me and how they thought I played. I try to play with passion and heart every day. I think it's a great reflection if your teammates see the same thing and respect you as a player.
What is the biggest difference between Midland and home for you?
First of all being away you don't see very many familiar faces. You get used to it, but whenever you get the chance for someone to come out it helps a lot to get to see someone back home. Weather is definitely a little bit different than California. The humidity here is a little more extreme. And the wind, the wind never turns off here so you gotta get used to that.
You've mentioned to me how the guys on the team have made things easier. Who is the weirdest guy in the locker room?
The weirdest guy in there is either Connor Crumbliss or Mike DeMark. They are weird in a good way. They make you laugh. DeMark is probably the best story teller I have ever seen. He is the most animated human being. And Connor Crumbliss is like that little gnat that won't leave you alone.
Alright we are going to get off baseball for a second. If you could go pro in any sport besides baseball what would it be?
Ping Pong. Hands down. That's the greatest sport, I think, alive. Ping Pong is awesome. (Editor's Note: he answered that question quicker than any other question)
What is your greatest achievement outside of baseball?
Outside of baseball? I would say getting accepted into college would be my greatest achievement. I worked for it for a long time, and to be able to go to college, especially Division I, that was pretty special.
What kind of things to you like to do outside of baseball?
I love movies. I am a big movie guy. I say movies, bowling, and anytime I can find a ping pong table I'll hop on that thing.
Lastly, if you weren't a ball player what would you be?
I would say fire fighter. My uncle was a firefighter and I used to go on ride-a-longs and stuff like that when I was younger. I enjoyed what he did and if I wasn't playing baseball I would have definitely pursued that.
As we reach the halfway point in the season teams are trying to put out the wild fire that is Anthony's hitting. On pace to break all of his single season records, opposing teams can only hope that he slows down a little. While they are trying to find a way to stop him, Anthony will be in the cages ensuring that it is a futile effort.