Interview with Pitcher Steven Ames

Jul 30, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Steven Ames (57) throws during the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park. The Mets won 4-2 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins traded Ricky Nolasco to the Los Angeles Dodgers in early July and got a return of three pitching prospects. One of the three prospects, Steven Ames that the Marlins received recently earned his promotion to the big leagues when Kevin Slowey went down with his arm injury.

News of Ames promotion was first broke on Twitter by his agent Joshua Kusnick. I decided to Tweet Mr. Kusnick if he and his client would be interested in doing an interview with MM. Mr. Kusnick was more than willing to setup interviews for the both of them right away.

Here is my interview with Steven Ames, who happened to make his Major League debut just the day before:

Ehsan Kassim: You made your MLB Debut yesterday, how was that feeling? Were there any nerves facing a hitter like David Wright?

Steven Ames: Nervous for first outing, but I just went out there and did what I had to. Luckily, it worked out for me.

EK: How did you learn of the trade from Los Angeles to Miami and what was your initial reaction?

SA: We were playing a double header and after the first game, our farm director called me and Josh Wall to the managers office and told us we had been traded to Miami. I was excited about the trade because I realized I would have a great opportunity with the team.

EK: Heard your manager played a prank on you on about your callup to the majors?

SA: Yeah, I had only know him for two weeks, so when he called me to his office and told me that I was being optioned to Double-A because the excess of pitchers on the team, I believed him. He had a very straight face. I turned around and started to walk out, but he grabbed me and told me I was going to the majors.

EK: Is there a noticeable difference between pitching in Albuquerque and somewhere like New Orleans or Miami?

SA: There is a huge difference. In the higher altitude, your pitches don’t feel as crisp as they do in more humid places like Miami or New Orleans. I believe pitching in Albuquerque did affect my pitching.

EK: Did you notice any major differences between the Dodgers farm system and Miami’s?

SA: I was only in New Orleans for two months, so I cannot really tell you of any significant differences at this time.

EK: Is the fastball your best pitch?

SA: Yes, like most pitchers, I believe it is my best pitch that sets everything else up.

EK: Do you envision yourself as a middle relief guy, setup man, or closer down the road?

SA: Right now, I just want to do whatever the team asks of me. I am very thankful for my opportunity to pitch in the majors and so happy about it.

A huge thank you to Steven for doing this interview with MM and also his agent for setting the whole thing up. I will have my interview with Mr. Kusnick posted sometime next week. Please give him a follow on Twitter, he is always looking to engage in baseball conversations with fans and is going to be doing a give-a-way in the near future for his followers.