The Interrogation Room: Kyle Heckathorn
The Interrogation Room:
What was your best game with the Timber Rattlers in 2010?
Kyle Heckathorn: My best game would
have to be against Lake County.
TIR: What makes the Lake County game stand out for you?
KH: Lake County was the best game I had this year in both leagues. I had
great command and threw my first complete game. It was one of the days whens
everything was working together, which doesn't happen everyday so when they do
you take advantage of the moment, which turned out well for me that day.
TIR: How would you rate your progress from your first appearance with
Wisconsin to your promotion to Brevard County?
KH: I progressed a great amount from my time in Wisconsin to Brevard in
many ways. To my general understanding of pitching and learning how to prepare
for starts. Also learning how to handle certain situations.
TIR: What kind of different situations are you learning how to handle?
KH: Just with the fans and the pace of the game. How to react when you
dont have your best stuff, but you still have to compete and give you team a
chance to win.
TIR: What did you think of your experience in the Florida State League?
KH: I enjoyed my time in the Florida State League. The bus travel was
better, but the fans were amazing in Wisconsin which we did not get in Florida.
TIR: After the season there have been a lot of prospect rankings by a lot
of websites, magazines, and writers. Do you pay any attention to those
lists?
KH: I try not to pay any attention to those, though I do hear from word
of mouth from fans and family about them.
TIR: The Brewers made a lot of moves in the offseason to pick up Zack
Greinke and Shaun Marcum.
KH: Picking up those aces is a great pick up for the brewers and I'm very
excited to see what the 2011 season has in store for the brewers.
TIR: You attended Brewers On-Deck in Milwaukee at the end of January.
Could you tell us a little about that day?
KH: That event was a great experience. The Brewers has hands down the
best fan base and shows by the attendance of these events. I was shocked of how
many fans came up to me that said they saw me pitch in Appleton and how
supportive they were of me. I was very honored to be a part of it and hope to be
in the future.
TIR: What was your highlight of Brewers On-Deck?
KH: The best part was getting to spend time with the big league guys and
get to know them better and the trivia game I played against Marcum, Greinke,
Gallardo and Braun.
TIR:
How have you prepared for the 2011 season?
KH: I have prepared for this season same as last season. I have attended
the Brewer Winter Program which is for players to come early and get ready for
the upcoming season. Besides that I followed a set of workouts that the brewers
provided for me.
TIR: Would you let fans know what the off season workouts you got from
the Brewers were like?
KH: The workouts were pretty tough. They give us a program to follow with
lots of cardio and different types of workouts that lead up to spring training
so when you report your right on track with everyone else
TIR: What is the part of
your game that you have improved on the most?
KH: The biggest part of my game that I focused on most was command of my
3rd pitch. To continue to be a starter at the higher levels and big leagues I'm
gonna have to be able to command a 3rd pitch.
TIR: Any thoughts in closing?
KH: I have been told before that I would make a great closer and I
wouldn't mind doing it, but I enjoy starting and hope that's my future.
Previous Interrogation Rooms:
Matt
Erickson