BURG Sports Network

Taylor Clarke Interview

 

1.  When did you first know you wanted to be a pro Baseball player?

 

It was always a dream of mine growing up but it became a realization for me in college when I began  playing really well. 

 

 

2. Who was your biggest role model?

 

My parents have always been there for me growing up and encouraging me in anything I do in life so they're definitely my role models. My dad especially was always 
there for baseball and supporting me in any means possible. 

 

 

3. What was it like playing Baseball at Broad Run and how did the coaches there help you get where you are today?

 

I loved my years at Broad Run, I have some of the best memories from playing there. I still talk to those coaches quite often and am forever grateful for the 

coaching and instruction I had under them. Especially Pat Cassidy who was a big help with getting me seen by colleges and I thoroughly enjoyed playing for him.

 

4. What was your favorite/most memorable high school game you pitched in?  

For me it was beating Potomac Falls in the Regional Championship. They were always our rivals when I was there, so it was nice beating them that last game. 
I was playing 3rd base the whole game and came in to close out the last 2 innings and after getting the last out I remember Cassidy sprinting onto the field for a big hug. 

 

5.  What was in like pitching at the College of Charleston and what was you favorite/most memorable college game you played in?

 

I loved CofC, everything about it was great and I also learned so much under those coaches, especially my pitching coach, Matt Heath. During my time there is where I 

felt my career really took off and I began to see how much success I could have by playing baseball. There were many fun games there and we also had great success. 

Pitching in the super regional at Texas Tech was a really fun experience to be in that atmosphere. Also striking out 18 batters in one game vs Radford was pretty cool too on a personal level:)

 

6.  What was it like getting drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks?

 

That was definitely a dream come true. I'll always remember hearing my name called while watching with my friends and dimly. 

 

7. Do you think pitching in college helped prepare you for the minor leagues?

 

It definitely helped me. I give a lot of credit to my coaches from high school and college, especially my pitching coach Matt Heath who really challenged me to be the best I could and taught me a lot about the mental side of the game that I still utilize today. 

 

8 .  What did you think you most improved on last year that will continue to help you in your upcoming spring training?

 

Just getting another good year under my belt and some exposure at AAA gives me some positive feedback to know what to expect going forward. Also the improvement of my off speed pitches, in particular my change up and curve ball have made strides in the past couple years and gotten more consistent which has been very useful. 

 

9. In addition to yourself how do you feel seeing baseball players like Connor Mullee from Broad Run, Zack Hopeck from Heritage and who won a College World Series at Coastal Carolina and JB Bukauskas from Stone Bridge coming out of the Loudon County, Virginia  Area?

 

It's cool seeing guys from this area succeed like that, it gives younger kids from here, someone to look up to or strive to be like. 

 

10. Who was your favorite Baseball player growing up?

 

I was raised a NY Mets fan so I grew up idolizing David Wright. He was always a class act and I liked how he played the game. 

 

11. What are you looking forward to in the 2018 Season? Any nerves as you head into making your Major League debut?

 

Just going into the year with the hopes of getting called up and getting a chance to live out my childhood dream of pitching in the big leagues. But I just try to focus at one thing at a time and control what I can control.