Q & A with Mitch Hilligoss

In what we hope will be a continuing series of Q &A's with the Yankees family, we recently did an email interview with prospect Mitch Hilligoss.

The former Purdue Boilermaker talks about hitting, the future, and what he hopes to get out of the coming season.


Q: What position(s) did you play in high school?

A: In high school I played mostly shortstop and pitched a little. In college I played left field and then eventually moved back to short.

Q: Did you have a favorite player(s) growing up?

A: My favorite player growing up was always Ozzie Smith.

Q: You attended Purdue for 3 years before going pro. Why did you choose to become a Boilermaker? Did you ever consider finishing out your collegiate career or was going pro a no-brainer when the Yankees drafted you?

A: Choosing a college was an extremely tough decision for me. It came down to Purdue and three other schools, but in the end Purdue just felt right. I was comfortable with the staff there, the academics are of course excellent, a Big Ten school, and playing time possibilities were all significant in the decision making process.

As for the second part the answer is yes I did. I never wanted to commit either way until I was ready. I don't think I fully made my decision to leave until the week of the draft. The college season was over and scouts really started hounding me. That's when I personally knew I was not going back.

Q: 2007 was of course a big season for you. A 38 game hitting streak to be exact. Players talk about how well they see the ball or what superstitions they follow during a hot streak. What was it like for you during the streak and do you have any particular baseball superstitions?

A: That was a pretty awesome experience to say the least. I really don't think I thought much about the streak until it hit 30 games and then media and opponents started asking more about it. My teammates did a great job of keeping me grounded. They were awesome throughout the whole thing. The coaching staff was just as important. They were just a huge part of it.

I guess the only superstition was we really didn't talk about it much. It was kind of like the no hitter after the seventh inning, this just lasted a little longer. It might have been mentioned after the game, but we never said much about it.

Q: You've always been a successful hitter, but last season you hit just .241 at Tampa. What do you think happened?

A: Well, last year was a struggle for me. I still look at that number above and say 'wow'. At the time of the struggles I don't think I really knew what was wrong. Looking back now, and working over this winter, I realized i just had way too much movement in my body and my head to ever really drive the baseball and be consistent. So, that is what I've been working on with my old manager from Charleston, Torre Tyson. So far its been going good, but I have to carry it over to games now.

Q: What's your greatest strength as a ball player? What part of your game do you feel you need to work on most?

A: My greatest asset has probably been being able to put the ball in play at a very high percentage. At the same time that is also a weakness and something I must work on. Meaning, I think I can sometimes hit anything and then I get myself out. This is a major cause of my lack of walks. Other things to work on is becoming a better defender and improving power numbers, something I think could come if I accomplish the process of less movement in my swing.

Q: Have the Yankees given you any indication where you'll be playing this season, or is that all depending on how Spring Training goes?

A: I'm sure they have an idea, but I don't. Obviously, I hope to be the everyday third basemen for Trenton, but there is a lot I am sure they are taking into account. What happens in spring training will play a part I am sure.

Q: Were you ever able to take in a game at Yankee Stadium?

A: No, we did get to go take the tour when we played at Staten Island, but never a game. We had an opportunity after we won the New York Penn League, but rain outs prevented it.
Q: What do you like to do for relaxation?

A: I enjoy just hanging out with the guys and going out to eat in season. In the off season, just going home and getting away from it. I help on our farm when I get back and really enjoy deer hunting. Its a time for me to get away from baseball for a couple of months and re-charge the batteries.

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish this season?

A: I would like to play in double A this year and finish there, and maybe if possible higher. Obviously, I would love to start in Trenton, but we will have to wait and see. I just have to control what I can.

My Pinstripes: Thanks Mitch and good luck this year!

Mitch: No problem man.

5 Days Until Pitchers and Catchers

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you
(Woo woo woo)
What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson
‘Joltin Joe’ has left and gone away?
(Hey hey hey – hey hey hey)

All's Quiet on the Eastern Front

The weekend has come and gone, and no word from Alex Rodriguez or Scott Boras about Saturday's steroid revelation. No word from the Yankees either.

Boras did say he hadn't spoken yet with A-Rod, because his client was out of the country. Huh? Miami is out of the country? Boras would not comment until he got together with Rodriguez.

Union head Donald Fehr would not comment either. But one has to wonder why were the test results not destroyed. The union should have immediately gotten rid of any and all results. The fact that they didn't is reprehensible and a violation of the player's trust.

The drama queen A-Rod strikes again.

6 Days Until Pitchers and Catchers

The very under appreciated, Roy White.

Torre Who?

With today's news from SI.com that Alex Rodriguez reportedly failing a steroid test in 2003, the shift of media attention from Joe Torre's book is palpable. The fallout from "The Yankee Years", including "A-Fraud", Mike Mussina's dissing of Mariano Rivera, and the "Single White Female" relationship of Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, were expected to be the main topics of conversation when pitchers and catchers report on the 13th.

But instead, a zoo-like atmosphere will surely exist, the direction of which could very well steer one way or another in the next 48 hours. The MLB Network held a forum this morning that ran into the afternoon, with Bob Costas, Tom Verducci, Harold Reynolds, and Matt Vasgersian discussing the issues.

The consensus was that A-Rod needs to make a public statement in reaction to the story within the next couple of days. That translates to an Andy Pettitte-like "mea culpa" or a Roger Clemens' type strategy of "deny, deny, deny", and hope it doesn't blow up in his face. Strength of character has never been one of A-Rod's notable traits, so we can see it being the latter rather than the former.

Personally, we are very disappointed. No matter what we've thought of A-Rod at times, there's never been any question of what we felt about his talent or accomplishments. That said, his career could be tarnished, whether the accusation is truthful or not. And that's just sad.

Costas also sat down with the main author of the story, Selena Roberts, to discuss the findings. Roberts did her due diligence and had what she felt were four reliable sources. She also traveled to Miami on Thursday to get a reaction from Rodriguez, who gave her a veiled "get lost" in his response of, "You'll have to take to the union".

The bigger issue here though, again, is the results of the drug testing in 2003 being leaked out. These results, just like the BALCO grand jury testimony, was supposed to be confidential. Time and time again, this information is being leaked. And you're not hearing about some utility infielder each time either. These are planned leaks, by whom we do not know, but an investigation needs take place.

To make matters worse, MLB player's association COO Gene Orza is being accused of tipping off players to the timing of random drug tests. It's a serious accusation, with Roberts' source being a handful of players. And rather than simply denying the charge, when given the chance to address it, Orza told Roberts, "I'm not interested in discussing this information with you."

Just when we think things can't get much uglier when it comes to performance enhancing drugs and baseball, it does.

Breaking News: A-Rod Postive for Roids in '03

Four sources have told Sports Illustrated that Alex Rodriguez failed a steroid test in 2003. A-Rod was one of 104 players who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs as part of a mandate by MLB to determine if random drug testing needed to be performed in 2004.

Two anabolic steroids showed up in A-Rod screening. When asked about it on Thursday, A-Rod said, "You'll have to talk to the union. I'm not saying anything."

Read the complete story here.

Forget A-Fraud, now we'll have A-Roid.

One Week for Baseball's Unemployed

Pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Spring Training at the end of next week, and just as we've said before, there are still plenty of unsigned players.

Manny Ramirez - We wish he would just sign already and start the trickle down effect to Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn. Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, said earlier this week that the Dodgers were playing a game of chicken. How many owners do you think would like to take a baseball bat to Boras?

The Dodgers continue to negotiate, albeit on and off, with Ramirez. The last offer was 1 year, $25 million. Manny knows he screwed up big time in how he handled things in Boston. Had he left there on good terms, he would already be signed by now.

One name is now officially off the table. Ben Sheets confirmed that he will undergo shoulder surgery and will miss at least half the season.

One time star, and now much injured reserve, Cliff Floyd, has signed with the Padres to lengthen their bench. Floyd did a good job at the plate for the Rays last season, but even a better job in the clubhouse.
The Nationals have resigned pitcher Odalis Perez to a minor league deal.

Former Yankees reliever T.J. Beam was let go by the Pirates, but was snatched up by the Blue Jays. The Jays also designated one time top prospect Russ Adams for assigment.

The Reds have signed outfielder Jacques Jones and given him a ST invite. They did the same with first baseman Daryle Ward.

7 Days Baby

Number 2 in the Visitor's Lineup

The stage is set for some odd baseball in the Yankees' March 3 exhibition game. That's because they'll be playing the World Baseball Classic's US squad with shortstop Derek Jeter.

#2 opposing the Yankees? First the Joe Torre book, now this? All right, Jeter will be back in the Yankees lineup when the WBC wraps up.

Andruw Has No Jones to be a Yankee

SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that free agent Andruw Jones rejected a minor league contract offer by the Yankees. Jones would have come to Tampa as a non-roster invitee, but said "no thanks".

Heyman believes the Rangers, Mets, Braves, and Phillies are all interested in Jones, and correctly speculates that he would benefit from a top hitting coach, such as the Yankees' Kevin Long or the Rangers' Rudy Jaramillo.

Breaking News: Sheets May Need Surgery

An MLB.com Hot Stove report indicates that the Texas Rangers rescinded a 2 year contract offer to Ben Sheets, after tests on his right elbow showed a torn flexor tendon. The Rangers felt surgery may be needed to repair the problem and quickly pulled out of negotiations with Sheets.

Sheets had been offered arbitration by the Brewers, but rejected it in hopes of gaining a big free agent contract. As it turns out, the Brewers may still have to pony up for the cost of Sheets' possible surgery. Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash said the team has been talking with the MLB front office to determine who would have to pay for the procedure.

Happy 75th to the All-Time Home Run King

Yeah, you heard me. Happy 75th birthday to Hank Aaron. Among the attendees at a party for Hammerin' Hank tonight will be Bill Clinton, Dave Winfield, and Bud Selig.

Moose Clears the Air

While the brunt of focus on Joe Torre's book has been on Torre himself, and the use of the phrase "A-Fraud", Mike Mussina's comments on Mariano Rivera have not gone unnoticed.

The full excerpt on page 312 of Torre's book quotes Mussina, who won zero World Series rings in his eight years with the Yanks, as saying: "As great as (Rivera) is, and it's amazing what he does, if you start the evaluation since I've been here (in 2001), he has accomplished nothing in comparison to what he accomplished the four years before.

"He blew the World Series in '01. He lost the Boston series. He didn't lose it himself, but we had a chance to win in the ninth and sweep them and he doesn't do it there. I know you look at everything he's done and it's been awesome, I'll admit that. But it hadn't been the same in those couple of years. That's what I remember about the '04 series."

There's no question that at face value it's a definite slap in the face to Rivera, but Mussina doesn't see it that way. That being said, he was on WFAN yesterday doing some damage control.

"I'm aware of (the reaction). As far as I know that's pretty much the way I said it. But the idea of it was not to take any stabs at Mo," Mussina said Wednesday on WFAN. "I can't put into words how important Mo has been to me as an individual player and to us as a team since I went to New York. My accomplishments would not be anywhere near what they are, and our team accomplishments certainly would not be what they are without him pitching the ninth inning.

"I didn't mean to take any stabs at him. I was just making a factual comment, and it came out sounding like I was trying to cut him down. I'm certainly not trying to cut him down, because he certainly is legendary, and he's earned that."

Moose was also asked about "A-Fraud", and A-Rod's relationship with Derek Jeter.

"I never saw any friction between those two players whatsoever," Mussina said. "For two superstars at the level that they're supposed to perform at, the kind of people they're supposed to be, the way they're supposed to carry themselves as professional athletes and human beings, I never saw any problem at all.

"I sat in the same clubhouse, rode the same bus, the same planes...and I never, ever saw an issue with those two guys. I don't know if people were hoping it was there or people were looking for something to talk about, no idea, but I never experienced any of that."

Moose's candor will definitely be missed.

Mo Pitches In

Mariano Rivera may not be ready to throw his nasty cutter to big league hitters yet, but that didn't stop him from sharing his knowledge and skills with some area youngsters. Rivera met up with 150 kids in Ridgefield, CT. to give pointers, discuss the game, and sign autographs.

“The game doesn’t start when the game starts,” Rivera said, seemingly summoning some of Yankee legend Yogi Berra’s wit. “The game starts when you get there. If the game starts a seven o’clock ... and you have to be there at three o’clock, the game starts at three o’clock.”

“All you do is bring along your experience; you bring it and pass it to the kids,” Rivera said. “With teaching, you have to have the ability, you have to have the patience and you have to put in the quality time with the kids,” he said, adding that he loves teaching.

The kids worked on their mechanics, throwing into a padded wall as Rivera watched. The Hall-of-Fame to be closer gave the kids one last piece of encouragement.

“When I’m fat and old and sitting on my couch, I want to see you guys and say, Hey, I taught that kid how to pitch,” he said.

Source: The Ridgefield Press