The Orioles’ 2009 first round draft pick, Matt Hobgood, will be taking questions from OP readers. Each reader may ask up to three questions, and on Sunday I’ll select 10 questions and send them to Matt for him to answer.
To ask your question(s), simply drop them as a comment on this post.
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Jordan Tuwiner - Founder and Executive Editor
Jordan founded Orioles-Nation.com in November 2009. He is a computer science & business major at Towson University. He is the site programmer, designer, editor and primary minor league writer. He also contributes to and maintains the site’s prospect rankings and scouting reports. Jordan's work has been recognized in a number of publications including MASN, The Baltimore Sun, MLB Trade Rumors, FanGraphs and Project Prospect. In addition, Jordan is a special contributor to John Sickels’ (formerly of ESPN.com) blog, Minor League Ball. Read more about Jordan at JordanTuwiner.com and follow him on Google+ and on Twitter @JordanTuwiner.
What do you consider your best strengths as a pitcher and what do you need to work on?
1) How big of a jump is it from high school competition to the Sally League.
2) When a pitcher has a stretch of bad starts, what’s the most important thing to keep in mind?
Thank you.
Do you feel like you’ve made solid progress since you’ve been drafted?
More specifically, do you think that you’re well on your way to being promoted to a higher league?
What big leaguer, past or present, would you compare your style too? Do you try to emulate yourself after anyone? Is there a pitch you dont currently throw in games that you’d like to work on and add to your arsenal?
How do you like Delmarva? Favorite restaurant in the area?
Which of your pitches is your best pitch, and which one still needs some refinement?
What has been your greatest obstacle into making it as far as you have? What needs to be done so you can ensure continuation of your success?
Growing up, which pitchers did you look up to?
-Is there any specific pitching principle that the organization really puts emphasis on?
-What do you feel you need to do to take your game to the next level?
-What did it feel like hearing your name called on draft day?
Matt what do you need to change to become not only a better pitcher but a better ATHLETE in the sport of baseball?
Who would win in a fight – your two seamer or Machado’s bat?
1 and 2) In an interview with Baseball Beginningsthis past January, you discussed your off-season workouts with Athletes Performance Institute. What does your in-season training involve? Do the Orioles create unique workout programs for individual players?
3)Are you and the Orioles staff attempting to increase your velocity, or are you all working more on control issues this season?
Matt when you chart a game, do you look for hitters tendencies and potential weaknesses?
When did you first realize you had a real shot at being a professional baseball player?
1) What’s the biggest thing you think you need to work on to advance thru the farm system?
2)In an ideal scenario, when do you see yourself pitching in Baltimore?
1.Matt, do you have any nicknames?
2. Do you pull pranks on your teammates? Or have you gotten pranked? (I.E. A bubble of gum on the bill of a guy’s hat?)
3. How do you rank your pitches in terms of effectiveness against hitters and which pitch would you most like to add to your repertoire?
Hey Adam, thanks for the comment. Unfortunately I’ve already sent the questions in to Matt, so you’re a little late…the results will be posted within the next three days.
However, I’m hoping to have more players do this so keep your eye out!