I got the pleasure of getting to chat with Darrell Ceciliani today, prospect for the New York Mets.
Ceciliani hit .351 with a .410 OBP and had two home runs, 35 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases in 68 games last year for the short A Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Pennsylvania League. He also set franchise records of 95 hits, 56 runs and 12 triples.
He was selected as a NYP Mid-Season All Star and won the Mets’ Sterling Award for the Brooklyn Cyclones, which the Mets hand out to a player on each of their nine teams in the minors representing the most improved player.
Ceciliani is a player quickly on the rise to the top, and if he continues his hard work and dedication he will be in the majors in a matter of years. Here at EE Sports World, we are pulling for him every step of the way.
Brandon Berg: What’s the life of a minor league player like? What do you do on a typical day during the regular season?
Darrell Ceciliani: We get up and at ‘em around 10 a.m. and have some breakfast. We get out to the field by one or two. I get my arm worked down and take some batting practice. After that, we just chill and relax. We prepare for the pitcher whether it be a righty or a lefty, and just get into the right mindset. We then do some defensive work, and then play at about 7 p.m.
What level are you going to start at this year? What is the schedule like for Spring Training?
DC: They have been telling me I’ll be starting at Low A Savannah. We get up at seven, get on field at nine, take defense and batting practice then play a game at one. We are usually done by four and then do some lifting and eat around six.
You had a great year last year, what’s the next step for you in terms of development as far as developing your game to get ready for your future baseball playing career?
DC: I have to improve every part of my game to get to the ultimate dream: The big leagues. I go out every day and just work hard to improve everything in my game. If I had to single out a couple of things, it would be that my bunting and base running needs to improve. I use my speed to the best of my advantage to put pressure on the defense. That’s one of the biggest things I’m going to be working on this season.
What was your most memorable moment in your time in the minors so far?
DC: Last year during a game in Brooklyn, I came up in the bottom of the 9th. I hit a walk-off home run. It was a rush, never had a feeling like that. It was really cool to go out there and win the game for the team.
What was your MLB draft experience like?
DC: I actually was in class, taking a couple final exams. My dad was also with me that day to go through the experience with me. I got a call from the coach asking, hurry up, finish the final and get to his office because I had just been picked up by the Mets in the 4th round. That was a great day for me. I was excited, and it was an honor to be chosen where I was and to go out and start my baseball career right away.
How long did it take you to get on the field after the draft?
DC: I was drafted on either the 10th or the 11th. I got to Tennessee to start playing by the 23rd or 24th of June because I had to take a couple finals to finish up.
We want to thank Darrell for the interview and wish him the best of luck as he speeds toward his ultimate goal of reaching the majors.
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