The Orioles’ 2009, 4th round draft pick out of South Mountain Community College, Randy Henry signed for $365,000 and made his pro debut with the Delmarva Shorebirds last season. Henry’s pure stuff is almost unmatched within the Orioles organization.
In a combined 23 innings between Delmarva and Aberdeen, he struck out 30 batters while walking just 6, giving him an impressive 5.00 K/BB ratio. On top of his strikeouts, Henry kept the ball in the park and on the ground, posting a 1.92 GO/AO ratio while allowing just one home run.
Henry and I discussed his off-season workouts, major league players he’s been training with, his excitement of returning to the mound after a 2010 elbow injury, who he’s compared to and more.
ON: Where have you been working out during the off-season?
RH: I’ve been working out at a place called Pro Advantage in Tempe, Arizona.
ON: Which, if any big leaguers or other prospects have been working out there with you?
RH: I’ve worked out with a lot of different prospects and major leaguers. A few of them include JJ Hardy, Mike Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick, Scott Kazmir, Rich Harden, David Aardsma, Matt Moore, Charles Brewer, Ryan Christenson and a bunch more.
ON: What’s it like working out with major league players and what do you gain from it that you don’t get when you’re at spring training with just the prospects?
RH: I get a prospective of what they’ve done because they’ve been through the minor leagues so I know what to expect. They are the best at the game so when they give you tips you know it worked for them to get to the majors.
ON: You and Mike Gonzalez both have had Tommy John Surgery and, of course, are members of the same organization. Have you built a strong relationship with him?
RH: I’m not sure I can say I’ve built a strong relationship with him, but I’ve definitely talked to him and he’s been down a few of the roads that I have so he’s definitely helped me there. He’s a great guy that’s very helpful and is always willing to give a tip or two.
ON: What does your typical off-season day at Pro Advantage look like?
RH: I show up in the morning and get ready and situated. Then I stretch out completely for my workout. Then we would do an agility drill to work on footwork and warm up for our workout. If I was going to throw I would throw after this and then we would finally workout and do the program of lifting that we have. After this we do our running and conditioning for the day.
ON: In my previous interview with you, you mentioned not lifting enough weights and being slightly undeveloped as some of the reasons for your TJ surgery in high school (2009). Have you put on any weight since then? Have you made an effort to add more weight lifting into your routine?
RH: I have gained a good amount of weight since high school, around 30 pounds or more. I think lifting is different for every person. The main thing is just to be as strong as you can be while being as flexible and athletic as you can be as well. Sometimes being too big can be a bad thing.
ON: Now that you’re recovered from your elbow injury in 2010, how excited are you to get back on the mound?
RH: I’m very excited. I would say from being out so long this year and the problems I had last year I am just as happy to start this spring training as I was the last. It feels just as exciting as my first, just with more experience.
ON: Speaking of your experience, what’s something you learned or gained from last season that you believe is going to help you in 2011?
RH: I learned a lot about just pitching in itself and also some about the preparation it takes going into a season of pro ball.
ON: What player do you hear yourself compared to the most? Do you agree with the comparison?
RH: I have heard that I pitch and have the build of Jake Peavy and the mentality of Jonathan Papelbon. I don’t know about all that being compared to someone like Peavy. He’s a great player. I think maybe someday I could pitch like him but I have a long ways to go. I do believe I have the mentality of Papelbon.
ON: What kind of mentality do you believe you and Papelbon share?
RH: Hard work and a lot of energy. When you hear people talk about it it’s considered something like a bulldog mentality, that you just won’t give up.
ON: Do you have any goals for 2011?
RH: I think great goals for me during 2011 would be to get better throughout the year and make it through the whole season without any injuries. I have many other goals but I think the main thing for me will be to have a healthy year. If I have a healthy year I believe the other stuff will fall into place and I will pitch well.
