Vanderbilt star shortstop Ryan Flaherty has been named a Pre Season All American by numerous publications. He hit .381 last year and finished the season riding a 35 game hitting streak. We recently had the opportunity to interview Ryan about himself and the upcoming season.
College Baseball Prospects: What’s the mood at preseason practice right now at Vanderbilt? Has last year’s disappointing elimination in the NCAA playoffs affected this ’08 team?
Ryan Flaherty: We're excited about the upcoming season, its been a long off-season and we are ready to get it going. It was hard last year, but this is a completely new team with many new faces, and if anything we have just used last year as motivation.
College Baseball Prospects: What aspects of your game have you been trying to improve this off-season?
Ryan Flaherty: I spent a lot of time working with our strength coaches working on strength and agility.
College Baseball Prospects: How would you describe your approach at the plate? Would you rather attack the first fastball you see or work the count?
Ryan Flaherty: It depends how the pitcher has been pitching me in previous at-bats. But for the most part, I just go up there and look for something that I can hit.
College Baseball Prospects: How was your experience with Team USA last summer? Was it tough adjusting to 2nd base?
Ryan Flaherty: It took a little time adjusting to playing second base, but when I grew up my father taught me how to play all the positions so it wasn’t that hard. The experience was great because I had a chance to play with some great players and at the same time play for my country.
College Baseball Prospects: Is there any major leaguer you try to model your game after?
Ryan Flaherty: Either Troy Tulowitzki or Derek Jeter because both play shortstop and are great leaders.
College Baseball Prospects: Your 35 game hitting streak to end last season is very impressive. What goes through your mind during a stretch like that, and is there any pressure to continue it this year?
Ryan Flaherty: A hitting streak is something that can be all about luck so I try not to look at it that way. I’m not going into this season worrying about that because it can end without your control.
College Baseball Prospects: What are your personal as well as team goals for the upcoming season?
Ryan Flaherty: My personal goal would be to do whatever it takes for the team to win. We had a bad ending to last year's season and I just want to do anything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Our only goal for the season now is just concentrating on winning as many games as we can, and the rest will take care of itself.
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College Baseball Prospects: What’s the mood at preseason practice right now at Vanderbilt? Has last year’s disappointing elimination in the NCAA playoffs affected this ’08 team?
Ryan Flaherty: We're excited about the upcoming season, its been a long off-season and we are ready to get it going. It was hard last year, but this is a completely new team with many new faces, and if anything we have just used last year as motivation.
College Baseball Prospects: What aspects of your game have you been trying to improve this off-season?
Ryan Flaherty: I spent a lot of time working with our strength coaches working on strength and agility.
College Baseball Prospects: How would you describe your approach at the plate? Would you rather attack the first fastball you see or work the count?
Ryan Flaherty: It depends how the pitcher has been pitching me in previous at-bats. But for the most part, I just go up there and look for something that I can hit.
College Baseball Prospects: How was your experience with Team USA last summer? Was it tough adjusting to 2nd base?
Ryan Flaherty: It took a little time adjusting to playing second base, but when I grew up my father taught me how to play all the positions so it wasn’t that hard. The experience was great because I had a chance to play with some great players and at the same time play for my country.
College Baseball Prospects: Is there any major leaguer you try to model your game after?
Ryan Flaherty: Either Troy Tulowitzki or Derek Jeter because both play shortstop and are great leaders.
College Baseball Prospects: Your 35 game hitting streak to end last season is very impressive. What goes through your mind during a stretch like that, and is there any pressure to continue it this year?
Ryan Flaherty: A hitting streak is something that can be all about luck so I try not to look at it that way. I’m not going into this season worrying about that because it can end without your control.
College Baseball Prospects: What are your personal as well as team goals for the upcoming season?
Ryan Flaherty: My personal goal would be to do whatever it takes for the team to win. We had a bad ending to last year's season and I just want to do anything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Our only goal for the season now is just concentrating on winning as many games as we can, and the rest will take care of itself.
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