Meet the Mariner: Jake Schlander

Favorite Pro Athlete: Derek Jeter

Favorite Team: Arizona Cardinals

Reason you got involved in baseball: "My family pretty much played every sport. They played soccer, basketball, football, and baseball ever since Iwas little. My dad and brother liked baseball more, so Igravitated towards baseball. I was better at baseball than other sports."

Thing you love most about playing baseball: Ilike that all the little things in baseball matter so much. You have to pay attention to detail and every day is a new day. You go 0-for-4 with four strikeouts one day and the next day, you are the best player in the world. There are all sorts of ups and downs. It is finding the little things that make you successful."

First thing that stuck out to you about Pulaski: "I would say the greenery. I am from Arizona, so there isn't a lot of greenery. Everything here is pretty green. That was new for me. There are a lot of trees."

Quote from Manager Eddy Menchaca: "I like his footwork around the bag. He is a shortstop. He seems like a natural shortstop. Defensively, he is pretty good. He has surprised me with his bat. He might be my 'hit and run' type of guy. Bunt him over every once in a while. He is pretty polished."

Interview done by Cody Dalton of the Southwest Times.