Purple Row Interviews Rockies 1st Round Pick Trevor Story

ed: Recently, Purple Row was given the opportunity to have an interview with Rockies' 1st round (45th overall) pick, SS Trevor Story. As he is the man, he spends time around Casper, and we were hoping that maybe the two could meet and have a conversation, Andrew Fisher did the honors of performing this interview. As it stands, Andrew was only available for an email conversation, so here we are. Without further ado, Trevor Story - AMart

 

 

PR -  You were drafted 45th overall, a "first rounder," but as compensation for losing Octavio Dotel in free agency, you were taken in the "sandwich round." What is your sandwich of choice?

TS - I like the classic cheeseburger with mustard or ketchup only. 

 

PR -  How would you describe your personality and core values, on and off the field?

TS - I would describe myself as a determined and confident young man on and off the field.

 

PR -  Scouting reports on draft day suggested your strength came from a defensive game that could translate to the big leagues, but your bat would hold you back. What do you feel about such reports, and how would you describe your game?

TS - Well, being a shortstop, my first priority is defense. The offensive criticism honestly motivates me to prove my bat. I know I can swing it and it will show soon.

 

PR - How do you approach your at-bats?

TS - I go to the plate with a mindset to just hit something hard early, looking middle away. If I get deep into the count, I shorten up and look to cover the whole plate and put the barrel on the ball.

PR - With almost no exception, the players who waited until Monday's signing deadline earned a higher bonus than those who signed early. What motivated you to sign on July 9?

TS - I was determined to get my name in the Rockies system as fast as possible and get a step ahead of the holdouts.

PR - You played both shortstop and pitcher in high school, with some reports that you hit 96mph. If the Rockies had asked you to pitch instead of play shortstop, what would your reaction have been?

TS - I feel that I can contribute the most being a shortstop, and I believe the Rockies think the same. So pitching was just something to help the team.

PR -  Tell me about the draft process. Where were you told you would be picked, and did you have any idea which team?

TS - I went into the draft with low expectations, just hoping that everything would workout for the best, and it certainly did. I really had no idea of which team I would be chosen by, but it was a high honor to be selected by the Colorado Rockies.

 

PR - Before you were drafted by the Rockies, how familiar were you with the organization, and had you ever been to Colorado and/or Coors Field?

TS - I have been to Colorado multiple times on ski trips and being a hitter, I most definitely knew of Coors Field, knowing that it is a great hitters park.

 

PR - You went to high school in the Irving, Texas in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. It is probably a safe assumption you are a Rangers fan, but what other teams have you grown to like?

TS - Since I grew up in Irving, the long time home of the Cowboys Stadium, I am a die hard Cowboys fan and its good to see the hometown team, the Rangers succeed, but it's all Rockies for me.

 

PR - When I grew up, I alternated emulating Andres Galarraga and Larry Walker in my backyard for hours every summer. It worked great in wiffle ball, not so great in high school. Which players have you idolized and tried to emulate in your game and/or person?

TS - As a young kid, I would emulate Ken Griffey Jr., and as I grew up I started to emulate Derek Jeter more and more. Being a shortstop, you know that Jeter is the man.

 

PR - The population of Irving, Texas, where you went to high school, is roughly half of the state of Wyoming, where you are currently playing. The Casper Star Tribune has recently run a series where current Rockies have reflected on how difficult it was as a high round pick to be assigned to Casper, Wyoming. How difficult was the culture shock?

TS - It was definitely a shock, but I knew that this was all part of the process and who can complain about playing baseball everyday? I love the town of Casper, it reminds me of Texas.

 

PR - A Rockies farmhand (Jared Simon) recently tweeted that a Dominican teammate made a grape jelly and American cheese sandwich. With so many Latin teammates on the Casper Ghosts, many of whom are in the United States for the first time, how difficult is it to communicate and blend, and do you have any amusing anecdotes to share of the cultures intermingling?

TS - There is definitely a language barrier, but we use a lot of hand motions to communicate. I know a little Spanish and it comes in handy with my Dominican teammates.

 

PR -  The largest international bonus the Rockies have ever given out was to Rosell Herrera in 2009, who also plays shortstop for the Ghosts this season. Consequently, manager Tony Diaz has had to have both of you play third base and DH at times. I imagine it isn't fun for either of you to be highly regarded shortstops forced to move off your position immediately, even if it is only sparingly. How has that process gone for you and Rosell?

TS - Well we just go out there and play the game everyday, we would both obviously like to play short everyday, but that's impossible for both of us to be in the lineup everyday.

PR - Naturally, Rosell isn't the biggest name at shortstop in this organization, as you were drafted higher than any shortstop by the Rockies since Troy Tulowitzki. What does his presence in the organization mean to you right now, and do you prefer second base or third base?

TS - The last few years Tulo has become one of the best shortstops in the game and a probable hall of famer. As of now, I'm not thinking about changing positions.  Wherever the Rockies feel that I will contribute the most is where I will play, whether it be shortstop, second base or third.

 

PR - What are your biggest focuses for growth as a baseball player now that you're with the Rockies? Have the Rockies given you any specific assignments to work on in your game?

TS - Just working on all aspects of my game day in and day out.  Nothing has been pin-pointed yet, so I'm working on all parts of my game very intensely.

 

PR - High school hitters often have difficulty finding success initially in the Pioneer League. Your teammate Carl Thomore is a prime example.   What are the biggest differences between high school ball and the Pioneer League, and how have you managed to find such success in light of that adversity?

TS - I would say the biggest difference in pitching is sharper breaking balls and a little more velocity. The speed of the game is also a huge difference also.

 

PR - Has the organization given any indication what your progression through the system might look like? It will be interesting to see how the organization handles you and Rosell Herrera both succeeding at the same position, age and level.

TS - I don't really worry about competition at the position.  I just play the game every day in hope to get a win for the team.

 

PR - Thank you very much for lending your time for us. We look forward to following your progression through the minor leagues, and hopefully to touch base with you next year while you tear up A-ball.

 

 

- Thanks a lot to Trevor Story and to Matthew Vuckovich of  Xclusive Sports Management, LLC for the opportunity to interview Trevor.