Q&A - RP - Mike Powers

Mack:  Good morning kids, today we're talking with the 31st round pick in the 2008 draft, relief specialist Michael Powers. Morning Micheal. Are you home or participating in the Instruction League? .


Powers:  Good Morning Mack, No Instructional league for me this year, I am back at home.


Mack:  Good. Mike... let's go back to the beginning when you were drafted. Tell us about all the emotions that day? .


Powers:   Well, obviously that was a special day for me and my family. Just like most people, I wasn't sure when or if I was going to be drafted so I tried to stay busy and not worry about it too much, I still had another year of eligibility left so if things didn't work out I was headed back to school. When I got the call and found out it was the Mets I was excited for the opportunity. It was a tough decision for me because of the all the great things that Michigan provided me but I just felt like school prepared me well for the challenges of pro ball and the timing was right to move on. .


Mack:   Mike, you signed and came out of the box real quick, going a combined 2-2, 2.88, in 18 appearances for Kingsport and Savannah. Did it take you some time getting used to those daily wind sprints?

Powers:  Yes definitely, Everyone says it but the switch from college to playing professionally and everyday is a big change of pace. I hit a rough spot that first year with probably about 2 weeks to go, The end of the year was in sight and I got hit around a bit one outing. I'll never forget that because it kind of snapped me back into the season and made me realize you need to finish strong. It does take some getting used to, but more or less that is what your first short season is for, just learning the game and how to play everyday.


Mack:   Like the K-Port coaches always say... "here is where you learn to play the game you've been playing all your life..."  So, they send you to Brooklyn in 2009 (3-3, 4.01, in 30 games), which I found disappointing since you ended the year with Savannah. You did get in a couple of weeks with the Gnats though (1-0, 3.00, 9-appearances)... how was playing every day in the Big Apple? .


Powers:  Brooklyn is a taste of the big leagues in the minors, Everything from the amenities the media and of course the fans. I imagine those things and the added pressure of playing in the shadow of the big league team can only help prepare you for life in the big leagues. It was a great experience for me, I really enjoyed the city and the people and we had a great group of players and a staff up there that really helped us develop.

Mack:  So, what's your award for doing well in Savannah the past two years? You return again in 2010 (3-4, 2.28, 41-appearances, 52-K, 51.1-IP) when the city of Savannah is doing it's best imitation of feeling like Cambodia during the Tet. You finally break loose and finish the season at Lucy (2-1, 5.29, 10-appearances), which is really the first spike in your ERA... is the competition at that level that much harder than A-ball? .


Powers:  Anytime you move up levels the competition gets stiffer, Being it St. Lucie was a little tougher than Savannah, The hitters just have a better idea of what they want to do and also of how you want to handle them, but I felt like I got adjusted and held my own up there, I put together a nice streak of outings and then on the last day of the season I gave up 5 runs, so it wasn't the best way to go out, but with the limited number of innings I had up there any inning like that is going to throw your numbers off. .


Mack:   Forget the last day... we do a lot of forgetting the last day in Met-land. Mike, you're right there... the K/IP ratio is spot on... your velocity has never been better... and your overall professional stats stand up with any pitcher. Now... you're playing 2011 as a 25-year old and it looks like you will return again to A+. I know age for a relief pitcher isn't as much as in issue as starters, and I'm expecting the standard "I'll go where they send me" answer... but, do you think after pitching for well over 10 years that you're ready for AA ball? .


Powers:  Ha ha.  I never thought of it that way but yeah it's no secret that age plays a factor as far as prospects go but I do believe that as long as you pitch well you can at least keep your name in the mix. That is what I try and go out to do, try not to worry about the business side of things and just pitch, and hopefully pitch well. As far as am I ready? I feel as though I'm a guy who is honing in my skills, Just like everyone of the pitchers in the organization I think I possess the skill set to pitch in the big leagues, None of us would be around if we didn't. Its just a matter of putting it all together and sustaining it over a career. Hopefully we will get to find out if I am ready eventually but until that time comes I'm just gonna keep working.

Mack:  Okay... so the pitching don't pan out, you can always turn to politics :)  I keep asking that same stupid question and no one ever answers it... Mike... you've done a damn good job so far as a professional. My money's on you. Enjoy the off-season and I'll see you in March at Lucy. .


Powers:  Thanks Mack. I'll see you there.