Q:  Last year, in your inaugural season, Troy won an impressive 87 games.  However, you still finished 11 games out of first and missed the wildcard by 4 games.  Are the Haymakers ready to make another run (hopefully successful) at the playoffs this season.

A: We will definitely be competitive and work hard to make the playoffs, but I’m not sure if we have enough.  Our rotation is already better than it was last year with only 3 starters, but our overall offense takes a hit with Wells and Jones both having down years.  That being said, if we can pick up another big bat via trade then we really have a chance to make a run for it.  It also depends on how it plays out in the draft, maybe we’ll get lucky and things will fall our way.

 Q:  Many draftniks look at the selection (11^th round) of Fausto Carmona in the 2007 draft as one of the greatest examples of scouting ever.  Did you know Fausto was poised for a breakout season, or is this just a case of not-so-dumb luck?

 A: I’d love to say that we knew Fausto was going dominate the way he did, but it’s not entirely accurate.  I knew he had great stuff, he was successful in the minors and that the Indians were going to give him a chance in the rotation for the upcoming season - so I gambled with the pick.  I thought that it wasn’t really too much of a gamble that late in the draft, and I figured he would have a successful season…I never figured he was going to be that good.  (I did say it was a sleeper pick when I drafted him though.)

Q:  TRY has the #7 pick in the upcoming draft; what need area is the most pressing and do you think you can fill it at #7?

 Well, we really could use another starter but with so much talent available in the first round you never know what could fall to the seventh pick.  I should be able to fill my biggest need with the pick…but will I?

Q:  NASBL has two Sherlags and two Andersons.  How is it to compete with Bill, especially given his excellent track record?

A: I have quite a reputation to live up to as the nephew of the great Bill Anderson and if I have half the success that he has on in the league then I will be a great team.  Bill and I have usually have epic battles, always trying to best each others’ moves to get the best matchup.  I think the best compliment I got was when Red told me that I pretty much play like my uncle Bill. 

Q:  When looking ahead five years, what player on your team gives you the most cause for optimism?

A: Can I pick two?  If I had to pick one then it has to be Fausto Carmona.  He’s only 24 and if he continue to dominate then I will always have a competitive team.  It’s nice having a bat like Matt Holliday too…

Q:  What do you enjoy to most about NASBL?

A: Doing and reading the write ups.  You really get a sense of each person’s team and you really get the feel that each franchise is real.  It’s pretty cool.