Q&A with Cubs Prospect Dakota Mekkes

A 10th-round draft pick in 2016, right-hander Dakota Mekkes has cruised through the Cubs' system. He finished the 2018 campaign in Iowa, tabbing a 1.44 ERA with 41 strikeouts through 25 games and 31.1 innings. Earning his first non-roster invitation to Cubs Spring Training this season, the 6-7 righty is starting to turn heads. 

After making big jumps through the system in 2018, how is this spring different from last spring?
I think for me coming into this spring, I realized how much more important spring is being in big league camp instead of minor league camp. I can make much more of an impression on [Joe] Maddon and everyone. I think just coming in, I knew I had to be just a little more focused. A little more locked in and try to show them what I can do since they've never really seen me before. I think for me, that was the biggest change. Knowing that they've never seen me so it was their first chance to be able to watch me throw. It's just that much more important. 
One of the big storylines during spring every season is Tim Buss and his stunts. Does it live up to the hype?
That defiantly keeps it light here when we've got that going on every day. It makes spring not seem as long as it really is. It definitely keeps it light and keeps everyone in a good mood. 
People are starting to tag you as 'one to watch', does that add any pressure to perform?
I try to avoid that. I don't really look at it too much. It's not really anything I can do about; what people say about me. I just try to go out there and keep performing and do what I can do as a pitcher. I don't really look too much into that or read too much into what people are saying. I try to block that out as much as I can.
What are your goals going into this season? Are you working on anything specific?
Just trying to do the best I can and impress people. Hopefully, make my debut at some point this year. Obviously, that's a goal of mine. We'll see how that goes and how the season goes. I'll probably be back in Iowa and just try to do my best there. 
What was the best part of your offseason?
I went on a cruise over Christmas with my family it was the first time I had ever been on a cruise and it was awesome. It was the best time of my life. We went to Saint Kitts, Saint Martin, San Juan Puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos. It was awesome.