Interview With The Draft Hire

David Cameron

Matt Whitney was the 33rd pick in the 2002 Draft, selected as a third baseman by the Cleveland Indians. He has been a member of the Youth National Team, the Junior National Team, and the Florida All-Star Team, and was considered one of the premium bats available in the draft.

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David Cameron: Matt, first of all, thanks for taking a few minutes of your night out to talk to me.

Matt Whitney: Hey, no problem.

Cameron: Congratulations on being selected by the Indians. Most draft experts projected you as a first-round pick. Were you at all disappointed that you ended up in the sandwich round?

Whitney: No, not at all. I'm just excited to get drafted. It's a good feeling. No one remembers where you were drafted once you make it to the majors.

Cameron: For those of us who haven't seen you play, tell us a bit about your game.

Whitney: I'm 6'3" and about 195 pounds. I'm a hard-worker, first and foremost. Offensively, I'm a gap-to-gap hitter with a little power.

Cameron: I'm assuming you'll add some weight to that frame. You have an ideal playing weight?

Whitney: Yeah, I'd like to get up to 210-215 pounds.

Cameron: You were drafted as a third baseman. Have the Indians talked to you about where they're going to play you?

Whitney: No, not yet.

Cameron: Is third base your position of preference?

Whitney: Yeah, definitely. I'm a third baseman.

Cameron: Are there any current major-league third basemen you model yourself after?

Whitney: Troy Glaus. I like his game.

Cameron: You're committed to Clemson, but you'd like to go pro, though, correct?

Whitney: Yep.

Cameron: You've grown up in Florida. Have any favorite teams?

Whitney: Well, I've followed the Marlins, though it wasn't that much fun after they dismantled. My family is from Massachusetts, so we're big Red Sox fans.

Cameron: You played with the Youth National Team in 2000. Did any players stand out to you then?

Whitney: I've played with a lot of good players -- a lot of guys who got drafted today, actually. [Scott] Kazmir, who I played with last year, he's got good stuff.

Cameron: Well, he's a Met now, so hopefully you don't face him too much.

Whitney: Yeah, he's in the other league, so that's good for me.

Cameron: One last question. You seen Episode II yet?

Whitney: Yeah, I liked it a lot. I'm not a huge fan or anything, but I thought it was good.

Cameron: Thanks a lot for taking a few minutes out on draft day to speak with us. Good luck on your career with the Cleveland Indians.

about the author

David Cameron invites any other recent draftees to contact him for an interview at dac@strikethree.com. Except those coaches' sons. Okay, them too.