Tyler Pastornicky, The Rev

Meet Tyler Pastornicky, one of several players promoted to the G-Braves from the Mississippi Braves after the All-Star break. After hitting .299 in 90 games with 13 2B, 5 3B, 6 HR, 36 RBI and 20 SB, Pastornicky clearly deserved a promotion to the Triple-A level. The SS was acquired right before the trade deadline last season in a deal that brought himself and Atlanta Braves starting SS Alex Gonzalez to the organization from the Blue Jays. GwinnettBraves.com had a chance to catch up with the young prospect and ask him a few questions about his promotion, playing for the Braves and baseball in general.

GwinnettBraves.com - How did you find out that you were getting promoted to Triple-A?

Tyler Pastornicky - We had a day/night doubleheader and I was not in the lineup for the second game. After the second game Rocket Wheeler (Mississippi's Manager) told me he had a bone to pick with me, so I thought I was in some sort of trouble, but it turned out to be good news. I was excited. It's always good to be promoted. I was happy to come up here.

You seemed a bit nervous in your first few games with the G-Braves, do you think it affected your play?

Definitely, I was nervous. When you come up to a new team, you want to impress. It might have affected my play a little, but I settled in pretty quick. I felt a lot better after a few games. I was more confident and my teammates have really helped me out with that.

Has anyone taken you under their wing, or given you guidance?

I think a lot of the guys have, being young in Triple-A, you look for veterans to show you the ropes and to show you some things. I think every one has done a good job and helped me.

How does it feel to be one of the younger guys in the clubhouse? Has anybody pulled any pranks on you?

It's different, but you have to take the criticism where you get it and have fun with it. I haven't had any pranks pulled on me yet. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but you never know.

How do you like playing in Gwinnett? How does it differ from Mississippi?

I have not gotten to see a lot of Gwinnett. So far, it's seems pretty nice. It has a nice mall and seems to have a lot of things close together, so I like it so far. Both Mississippi and Gwinnett have very nice stadiums, Gwinnett is obviously really nice and beautiful, but the M-Braves have a great stadium as well.

What was it like to be traded from one organization to another at only 20 years old?

It was weird at first, being on one team one day and then another team the next, it is definitely different. I have liked it and everything has been perfect so far. The Braves have been very welcoming and it has been a great trade for me. I think the Braves run a good organization with all the success they have had in the past and I think there are reasons for that. They are very organized.

What was life like growing up in Florida?

It was nice. You get to play year round, which is probably the best thing about it. You don't have to take winters off. You can play all the time. It definitely helped me in my development. You get better by playing more.

Where you a Braves fan growing up?

I never really liked a certain team I was more of a player guy.

So what players did you like?

Jimmy Rollins was probably my favorite player. I also liked Derek Jeter. I think everyone likes him though. Those are probably the two guys I liked the most.

I am noticing a trend, did you always play shortstop?

Yea, I pretty much played it my whole career. I always wanted to play SS. It's the position I like, the one I love.

When did you know that you had talent?

I would say maybe my freshman year of high school, when I made the varsity team as a freshman and I was starting. I kind of stood out a little from all the kids my age. I kept working hard and I made some strides through HS.

Why did you opt not to go to college?

I thought about going to school. I was going to Florida State University and it was a tough call, but I was ready to get my pro career started. I am a really big FSU fan too.

Who was your biggest inspiration growing up?

My dad has been in baseball his whole life. I got to grow up around it and have been around it every day. Seeing the lifestyle and being a part of that is what really made me want to join.

What are your thoughts and goals looking forward?

I just want to stay consistent on what we are doing right now. I think we have a pretty good team, we are battling for first place and hopefully we can edge it out.

Are you looking forward to contending for a spot as the Braves starting SS next season?

Definitely, I am going to go into camp battling and see what happens.

Did you ever think you would get to this point?

I dreamed it, but it's tough to put yourself in those positions until it can happen and when it does you have to take advantage of it. I am happy with the entire experience, it's been great.