Off-Season Update: Andrew Ely
Andrew Ely was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 32nd round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from the University of Washington. He joined the South Bend Cubs on May 14, 2015 and played in 42 games. Ely was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds on July 27th and one of three players to wear the #2 jersey that season (Chesny Young and Ian Happ). We spoke to Andrew about the 2015 season and what he has been up to since September.
After the season ended, where was the first place you traveled to?
A few weeks after the season finished, I went up to Seattle, WA to continue my education. I go to the University of Washington and am a business major. The coaches at UW have also given access to all the athletic facilities (weight room, batting cages, baseball field, indoor football field) to all the ex-UW athletes back in Seattle. It's a great place to finish my degree and train during the off-season.
What are some of your favorite off-season activities?
Honestly, after the same baseball routine for 6 or 7 months, I have really enjoyed getting back in the classroom and staying sharp intellectually. Other than that, I can be found doing anything that involves some level of activity and competition. That can range from pick-up basketball, to snowboarding, to lifting in the weight room. I think it is very important to find ways to compete outside of baseball that will still fuel my competitive nature.
Do you have a favorite moment or event you attended this off-season?
After school finished in early December, I traveled home to Boise, ID for the holidays. My family and I then went on vacation to Eastern Mexico. We explored some cenotes, which are water filled caves in a much larger underground river system, and were even lucky enough to swim with some sea turtles in the ocean. It was an awesome experience to spend time with my family and enjoy the warm weather. Definitely the highlight of my off-season.
Do you still keep in touch with some of your teammates from 2015?
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to hang out with any of the guys this off-season. Every once in a while I will text with some of them to see what's up, but it's pretty brief. One of the best things about spring training is just that, seeing all the guys and hearing how their off-seasons went. Everybody is refreshed and ready to get the season rolling.
Do you have a regular workout routine to prepare for the 2016 season? Is there one particular part of your game you have been working on?
Yes, I've had a pretty consistent workout plan going since mid-September. I was able to take some time off during the holidays, and am going to ramp things up in January to prepare for the upcoming season. In terms of baseball, the biggest focus for me thus far has been my swing, more specifically my bat path. I am working on getting to a better, more athletic position during my load to be on time with any pitch that I may see. I am happy with my progress so far and am excited to take it into spring training.
What was your favorite part about the 2015 season?
My favorite moment last season was playing against the Boise Hawks (with the Eugene Emeralds) in my hometown. I had spent a lot of time at that field growing up, and my family even hosted a Hawks' player about 10 years ago. It was a pretty surreal moment playing on the same field that many of the players that I looked up to played on. The best part was that my family, many of my friends, and even some old coaches were in attendance. The moment was topped off when I hit a home run and my loved ones got stern looks from the Hawk's fans for cheering for the opposing team.
How often did your family get to watch or hear you play? Did they ever get to visit during the season?
Other than when I traveled to Boise, my parents were able to see me play once in spring training and once in South Bend. I am very fortunate to have such a supportive family that is allowing me to follow my dreams. Seeing my family is definitely rejuvenating when the days start getting long and monotonous late in the season. When they aren't traveling to see me, they watch/listen to the games whenever possible.
What was your walk-up music for 2015 and why?
Last year, it was Studio by Schoolboy Q. I'm a big fan of the beginning of that song, and that is pretty much all that a walk-up song can showcase. Although I'm a white boy from Idaho, I'm really into lyrical rap and hip hop so that's what is going to relax me as I walk to the plate. I'm thinking this year's walk-up song will be something by J Cole.
What is/are your goal(s) for the 2016 season?
Every year, the goal is to win a championship. I also have many personal goals, but I know that if winning is the top priority and I play the game the right way, everything will fall into place personally.
Is there anything you want to tell the fans of the Cubs Organization?
I want fans of the Cubs to know that the atmospheres that they create at the ballpark is extremely energizing as a ballplayer. The roar of thousands of fans is something unlike anything else, and is one of the best things about this game. I want the fans to understand that they are an integral part of the winning culture that the Cubs Organization aspires to have.