Q&A - CL - Chad Sheppard

Here's someone you're going to start hearing a lot more from once the season starts. Sheppard was a late sign after being drafted last year and never got into a game for the GCL Mets, who he was assigned to. This is a big time closer college guy that will make his mark early:

Mack: Morning everybody. We're talking today to Mack's Keepers #67 and the Mets' 17th round draft pick in 2010, closer Chad Sheppard. Hey Chad. How's the off-season going?
Sheppard: It's going great, I just finished up PT and I'm feeling strong. Other than that I've just been hunting fishing and getting myself ready for ST.

Mack: Chad, the first question is the same one I ask everybody. Take us back to that day your name was called out and tell us how that felt.

Sheppard: It was a day that I’ll always remember. Playing pro ball was something that I had dreamed about since I was little. I was with my family and they were all happy when they heard my name. Even though draft day is stressful, it was one of the best days of my life.

Mack: So, what was the first thing you bought with the sign up moolah?
Sheppard: Ha ha, the first thing that I bought was a new boat...I love to fish have been wanting a boat for a long time and now I can fish wherever I want. My friends are happy with that decision too, it seems like I always have a fishing partner!
Mack: OK... that's the first boat I found... 80% say a new truck. Chad, you went low in the draft because most of so-called draft experts had you as a no-sign. What made you change your mind?

Sheppard: Well my mind was never made on not signing. From the beginning of the year I had set my mind on getting drafted and starting my pro career. I was really counting on going higher but when it came down to it, I guess I was just ready to play.

Mack: Good. And believe me, no one knows what they are going to do until the moment they do it. Chad, everybody loved you when your fast ball (with sink) was 90-92. Now, you're up to 96... what else do you throw?

Sheppard: Well, in college I got by with throwing a lot of fastballs...and as long as I could throw strikes and get ahead in counts I could put people away with my slider. I've thrown a splitter some but I'm really working on a solid change.

Mack: Your old coach at State said you really worked your ass off on developing your pitches, especially your breaking ball. I'm going to assume you will enter the Mets organization as a closer, and I have you slotted for A+ ball in Port St. Lucie. FYI... the only other "successful" closers in the system right now are Victor Peralta (slotted to come from the DSL Mets to either the GCL Mets or Kingsport) and Ryan Fraser, who pitching coaches hinted at during the end of last season that might be turned into a starter.

Is there a question here? Yes... what have you planned in the off-season to get you ready for March?

Sheppard: Well, thanks, I know that I have a lot of ground to make up so I'm just working hard to get back in shape physically and mentally. I’m ready to step up for the Mets organization and deliver. Playing ball in St. Lucie would be fine with me and I def think I could help the club...Overall I've got to get back on my game and I'm making all the stops this off season to get there.

Mack: Chad, that's all any fan can ask. Thanks for your time and I hope to run into you on the back fields in March.