Interview with St. Louis Cardinals prospect Corey Baker

Palm Beach Cardinals pitcher Corey Baker recently spoke to Redbird Rants.

Daniel Solzman: Corey, thanks for joining Redbird Rants. How are things treating you in Palm Beach?

Corey Baker: Thanks for having me, Daniel. Things in Palm Beach are off to a good start. It’s only been a few weeks but I have settled in well and I am looking forward to playing down here with these guys.

Daniel Solzman: What is the typical day in the life like during the season?

Corey Baker: A typical day during the season is usually a pretty long one, especially on the road when you don’t get back to the hotel until pretty late. If we don’t have weight lifting in the morning then it usually goes relax in the morning, get to the field around 2 or 3 and then just get ready for the game.

Daniel Solzman: You started this season off in Peoria before being promoted to Palm Beach. How has that been treating you?

Corey Baker: Yeah, I started in Peoria, and really enjoyed my time up there. Working with Simo was a great experience, and the fans and entire Peoria staff up there was great. The promotion was obviously an awesome experience, too, and I am really happy to be down here in High A right now.

Daniel Solzman: As a reliever, how do you spend the early innings of the ballgame?

Corey Baker: When I am relieving, the early innings of the game are spent watching the opposing hitters, maybe trying to pick up a few things in their swings, and rooting on our guys. You need to stay locked in down there because you can be called in at any time, but you also need to find that balance of being relaxed because you don’t want to get too wired early in the game and be exhausted by the time they call your number.

Daniel Solzman: You were drafted towards the end of the draft in 2011. When did you find out that the Cardinals were interested in drafting you?

Corey Baker: I knew a few teams were interested in the fall of my senior year. A lot of teams reach out to you and get some information from you to learn more about you. I spoke to a few scouts with the Cardinals within the few days before the draft, but it was nothing more than letting me know they were interested; no guarantees. I was really excited when they picked me and even though it was late in the draft, it is still a great opportunity that I am grateful to have.

Daniel Solzman: How did Pittsburgh coach Joe Jordano prepare you for the next level?

Corey Baker:

Daniel Solzman: Who was your favorite player growing up?

Corey Baker: Coach Jordano prepared us for the next level really well. A lot of the stuff I heard from him at Pitt, I continue to hear here in professional baseball. We have had a lot of guys signed over the last few years, and there has been a lot of success with us, so that speaks to what we learned in college.

Daniel Solzman: Thanks again for joining us. Any final words for the best fans in baseball?

Corey Baker: To the best fans in baseball, I just have to say thanks for the support! Playing the game is a lot easier when you know you have Cardinal Nation behind you, and all of us appreciate the huge support we get from the fans. Thanks Daniel!