Mack - The first question is always an
easy one, though it might take you a little time to finish it. Take us back to
that first day a baseball was placed in your hand and take us up to day. I’m
talking 8-11yr. old years, travel teams, positions, coaches, etc.
Andrew:
I first started playing baseball when I was 4 years old. Baseball has always been my favorite
sport. When I was younger, my dad was
always my coach. I started playing
travel baseball when I was 10 years old.
I started working with my current hitting coach, Drew Cheney, when i was
about 8. Drew and my Dad know everything
about my swing and when I'm struggling those are the first two people I talk
too. When I was 13 I began playing for
the East Cobb Astros. I played for the
Astros from 13 year old till the fall of 16 year olds. I started playing for Team Elite my 16 year
old summer. Team Elite really pushed me
to focus a lot on catching. The people
that have had the most impact on my baseball career are my parents, Drew
Cheney, and my high school coach, Mike Strickland. Coach Strickland has pushed me harder than
any coach I have ever had. Coach
Strickland has challenged me to not only be a great baseball player but to be a
great student, family member, and follower of God. When I was a freshman, I was the starting
catcher on the varsity team. We went on
to win the state championship that year and the next year. We did not have the most talented team but I
learned that hard work does really pay off and team chemistry and momentum may
be the two biggest rolls over the course of a baseball game. Now I am a leader on both my High School team
and summer team. I am committed to Wake
Forest University and things are going great.
I have learned a ton from all of my coaches and I hope to continue to
improve my skill set through hard work.
Mack -
ESPNHS has you currently as the 9th top catcher in next June’s draft.
Tell us about your game, both offensively and behind the plate.
Andrew:
Offensively, I consider myself an extremely tough out. When I'm seeing the ball well I'm usually very
first pitch aggressive. When I'm not
seeing the ball as well, I like to go deep in to counts and work to get a
fastball I can handle. I have gap power
and hit lots of doubles. Also when
called upon I can bunt and hit and run. I would say most of my power is from
center to left center. I like getting a
ball over the plate that I can extend my arms on. Behind the plate I am a strong blocker and
have improved my receiving a ton. I try
to manage the game the best I can. I
usually have a good relationship with all the guys on the team so I feel like
the pitchers can really trust me. When a
pitcher is struggling I try to lighten things up instead of demanding they
throw better.
Mack:
Lastly, I’m sure you’ve been busy this summer. Have you played at any
level and what are you doing to get ready for the most important season of your
young lifetime?
Andrew:
This summer I was selected to represent the state of GA at the Junior
Sunbelt Classic in Oklahoma for the second time. I also took a trip to Minnesota to compete in
the Perfect Game National Showcase in the Metrodome. I also am playing for Team Elite. Brad Bouras and all the other coaches do a
great job of scheduling tournaments where we see the best competition. I am training at Baseball Performance Center
with Rocky Thorn. Rocky has trained a
lot of big leaguers so i feel very confident that I'm getting stronger when
working with Rocky. I'm also working on speed and agility at the Ninth Inning
in Atlanta Georgia. To improve my catching I am working with former big leaguer
Eric McQueen. We are working on a lot of
pop time drills and fielding bunts. I
will continue to work with my hitting coach, Drew Cheney. I am very excited for this next school season
and summer season.
Mack:
Congrats on the commitment to Wake. One of the Mets minor league
coaches, George Greer, was head coach
there for 17 years. What made you pick them?
Andrew -
I really liked the coaches. They
treated my family and me well. I felt
like all the coaches knew a lot and will be able to teach me tons about the
game and my position. Also I really
liked the campus and the distance from home.
There are many reasons why i chose Wake.
All the players i met seemed like great guys, and I felt like the Wake
Forest family was unlike any other. Also
I wanted to attend a great academic college which Wake offers.
Mack:
Has there been any thoughts from anyone around you whether you project
to remain behind the plate?
Andrew: Some coaches and scouts have asked
me about switching to first base but I really like catching. I'm working my hardest to remain behind the
plate. I'm becoming quicker and more
explosive in order to make more plays as a catcher.
Mack:
I think we’ve covered enough. I’ll check back with you around mid-season
and see how things are going. Thanks for your time, Andrew.
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