In the 17th round of the 2012 MLB draft the Houston Astros selected a RHP from Washington University Aaron West. West is a 6'1 195 righty that exploded on to the minor league season. The Astros stumbled upon West while scouting no. 1 draft pick Mark Appel. West appeared in Houston's Tri-City team. West posted really impressive numbers in only 12 games. West went 6-2 with a 2.04 ERA, 59 SO, and only 9 walks. Baseball America has West as the No. 29 prospect in the Astros organiztion. West is expected to start off in HiA but if with the hard work he has put in he could see himself finishing in AA or AAA.
Baseball America's Grade: 50
Q1) What age did you start playing baseball and who influneced you the most?
A:I started throwing tennis balls and whiffle balls when I was very young with my grandma. I started playing on teams when I was six and have been playing ever since. My dad was my biggest influence. He was always in the back yard catching for me or throwing to me in the batting cages. He has put in thousands of hours with me and is a big part of where I am today.
2) Besides baseball was there another sport you keep up with regularly?
A: Baseball has and always will be my favorite sport and the one I keep up with the most however, I do love football and basketball and will play some golf every once in a while.
Q3) Was baseball always your goto sport or, was there another sport you preffered?
A: Baseball was and is my go to sport. I love to throw things and be outdoors so baseball is the perfect sport for me. In the winter I would play basketball to help stay in shape. I was never to good of a shot though.
Q4) You was drafted by Houston just last year, describe the process and where you was when you found out?
A: The draft process is a long and nerve racking one. I watched the first and second days of the draft on TV and my girlfriend’s house with my family and hers. On the second day I got calls from a few teams and they were basically negotiation with me. I talked with my dad overnight and we discussed options and made the decision of the Houston Astros. It was a long process but I feel I made a great decision and haven’t looked back since.
Q5) You played college ball at Washington University. What is the biggest transition from College to Pro?
A: I would say there were two very big transitions that I had to make. The first was playing a game every day. Throughout college we had a game Tuesday or Wednesday and then three games during the weekend. This allowed for my body to rest and recover. In Pro ball we played every day and I was throwing every day which was a shock to my body but it made me stronger and my arm healthier by keeping up on a routine every day. The second was the freedom we had for workouts and running. In college we had strength coaches and conditioning coaches watching every move to make sure we were pushing ourselves. In pro ball it was up to me how hard I was going to go. This was challenging yet fun because I could make things harder on myself so that I could continue to get better.
Q6) You kinda exploded on the scene last year with posting really impressive numbers. What was one thing you really worked hard on this offseason?
A: I really hit the weight room hard this offseason lifting and conditioning 5 times a week. I was a little tired at the end of this last summer and I had to shorten up a couple starts. This year I want to be strong and consistent throughout the year.
Q7) Who was your favorite player growing up?
A: My favorite player growing up was probably Randy Johnson. I loved that he was a power pitcher and his presence on the mound was amazing. He was one of the scariest pitchers to face and dominated for many years.
Q8) Do you have any personal goals this season?
A: I would like to continue where I left off last season. I know that as I move up the competition and hitters will continually get better but if I prepare myself and work very hard I feel that I can compete with anyone.
Q9) When you are not playing baseball, what could a fan find you doing?
A: Depending on the weather you can find me out on a golf course or on a boat at the lake. When I am relaxing at home I will be watching movies with family or on the Xbox killing time.
Q10) What is your favorite baseball moment so far?
A: I would have to say dog piling at Safeco field when we won the 4A high school state championship. There was no better feeling than being on the mound and getting tackled while everyone is screaming and yelling and celebrating a huge victory.
Q11) What do you think about the Astros new logo? Good Bad?
A: I have always loved their old logo and am glad they brought it back. The team played their best in the old uniforms last year. Hopefully that continues this year.
Q12) Any suggestions for the youth of today that are seeking to be proffesional ball players?
A: Remember the great performances you had in the past or are currently having now because one day you will have a rough game or rough week or an injury and its these memories of success and working hard that will motivate you to work even harder to become the best baseball player you can be.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK AARON FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO A Q & A WITH US. WE WISH NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR HIM THIS SEASON. PLEASE EVERYONE GO PAY YOUR RESPECT TO HIM AND FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @WestAaron14
Baseball America's Grade: 50
Q1) What age did you start playing baseball and who influneced you the most?
A:I started throwing tennis balls and whiffle balls when I was very young with my grandma. I started playing on teams when I was six and have been playing ever since. My dad was my biggest influence. He was always in the back yard catching for me or throwing to me in the batting cages. He has put in thousands of hours with me and is a big part of where I am today.
2) Besides baseball was there another sport you keep up with regularly?
A: Baseball has and always will be my favorite sport and the one I keep up with the most however, I do love football and basketball and will play some golf every once in a while.
Q3) Was baseball always your goto sport or, was there another sport you preffered?
A: Baseball was and is my go to sport. I love to throw things and be outdoors so baseball is the perfect sport for me. In the winter I would play basketball to help stay in shape. I was never to good of a shot though.
Q4) You was drafted by Houston just last year, describe the process and where you was when you found out?
A: The draft process is a long and nerve racking one. I watched the first and second days of the draft on TV and my girlfriend’s house with my family and hers. On the second day I got calls from a few teams and they were basically negotiation with me. I talked with my dad overnight and we discussed options and made the decision of the Houston Astros. It was a long process but I feel I made a great decision and haven’t looked back since.
Q5) You played college ball at Washington University. What is the biggest transition from College to Pro?
A: I would say there were two very big transitions that I had to make. The first was playing a game every day. Throughout college we had a game Tuesday or Wednesday and then three games during the weekend. This allowed for my body to rest and recover. In Pro ball we played every day and I was throwing every day which was a shock to my body but it made me stronger and my arm healthier by keeping up on a routine every day. The second was the freedom we had for workouts and running. In college we had strength coaches and conditioning coaches watching every move to make sure we were pushing ourselves. In pro ball it was up to me how hard I was going to go. This was challenging yet fun because I could make things harder on myself so that I could continue to get better.
Q6) You kinda exploded on the scene last year with posting really impressive numbers. What was one thing you really worked hard on this offseason?
A: I really hit the weight room hard this offseason lifting and conditioning 5 times a week. I was a little tired at the end of this last summer and I had to shorten up a couple starts. This year I want to be strong and consistent throughout the year.
Q7) Who was your favorite player growing up?
A: My favorite player growing up was probably Randy Johnson. I loved that he was a power pitcher and his presence on the mound was amazing. He was one of the scariest pitchers to face and dominated for many years.
Q8) Do you have any personal goals this season?
A: I would like to continue where I left off last season. I know that as I move up the competition and hitters will continually get better but if I prepare myself and work very hard I feel that I can compete with anyone.
Q9) When you are not playing baseball, what could a fan find you doing?
A: Depending on the weather you can find me out on a golf course or on a boat at the lake. When I am relaxing at home I will be watching movies with family or on the Xbox killing time.
Q10) What is your favorite baseball moment so far?
A: I would have to say dog piling at Safeco field when we won the 4A high school state championship. There was no better feeling than being on the mound and getting tackled while everyone is screaming and yelling and celebrating a huge victory.
Q11) What do you think about the Astros new logo? Good Bad?
A: I have always loved their old logo and am glad they brought it back. The team played their best in the old uniforms last year. Hopefully that continues this year.
Q12) Any suggestions for the youth of today that are seeking to be proffesional ball players?
A: Remember the great performances you had in the past or are currently having now because one day you will have a rough game or rough week or an injury and its these memories of success and working hard that will motivate you to work even harder to become the best baseball player you can be.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK AARON FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO A Q & A WITH US. WE WISH NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR HIM THIS SEASON. PLEASE EVERYONE GO PAY YOUR RESPECT TO HIM AND FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @WestAaron14