Article: Get To Know: RHP Callan Pearce

[Seth Stohs]

A few weeks ago, we posted a Q&A with GCL outfielder Rowan Ebersohn. Today, we are fortunate to have a Q&A with the Twins other South African player. When Callan Pearce signed with the Twins in July of 2013 as a 17-year-old he was very raw. In reality, the now-20-year-old remains raw and yet he is very talented.

 

First, Pearce is a very good athlete. He is 6-3 and 190 pounds. He is fast, and quick off the mound. He also has a fastball that sits in the low-90s, touching 93 at times. He’s working on his control. He’s working on his secondary pitches. He has a long way to go.However, as you read the below interview, you can see how hard he’s working. You can see how much this opportunity means to him and his family. You can read his humility.

 

With that, enjoy the following Q&A with Callan Pearce:

 

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Seth Stohs (SS): Tell us a little about your youth baseball in South Africa. Did you play Little League or other formal baseball leagues?

 

 

Callan Pearce (CP): South Africa unfortunately doesn't have the structures to those in The USA or to that of Europe therefore we didn't necessarily have a little league system up and running, we moreso had formal leagues in which we played. I played for my local club at home in Durban and traveled to a national tournament yearly to play against the other respective States or " provinces" as we call them. Other than that tournament we played local teams within my Hometown.

 

SS: MLB has a camp in Cape Town that you attended. What is that atmosphere? Is it games, or skills, or a little of everything?

 

 

CP: We recently had the MLB African Academy in Cape Town. It was and always is incredible returning to that camp whether it be as player or coach. The camp is over the duration of 10 days and looks to give players within the African continent an opportunity to learn the fundamentals and skills to take back to their respective countries/provinces to take African Baseball to a level that can help us compete at a higher level in the coming years. The atmosphere was great. It was a great experience. I loved it!

 

SS: Growing up, who were some of your role models in the game of baseball?

 

 

CP: We didn't necessarily have the opportunity to watch loads of baseball growing up as they only televised a game every now and then here in South Africa. However I loved watching Roy Halladay pitch. I used to love watching him!

 

SS: Growing up, did you participate in other sports besides baseball?

 

 

CP: Growing up I played cricket,field hockey, softball and outside of school, I play a little social golf with family and friends when I had free time.

 

SS: As an amateur, how much contact did you have with MLB teams, and what was it that caused you to decide to sign with the Twins?

 

 

CP: Around the age of 14, there were a couple teams looking at me and following my progress. I was fortunate enough to sign with the Twins from there. The Twins scouts that spoke with me were really great people, really accommodating and easy to communicate with. They were really approachable and that made my decision so much easier. Something just felt right going the Twins route.

 

SS: What was the adjustment like for you last spring moving from South Africa to Florida? What were the biggest challenges?

 

 

CP: I had to make loads of adjustments this last season, being my first spring training and second extended spring. Here in South Africa we are not accustomed to playing baseball every day. We would train twice a week and play a game on a Sunday. During spring, you have to grind every day. It was a lot more throwing than I was used to. However, it was a great challenge, and I loved every moment of the new experience! The heat in Florida is somewhat like my hometown, so it wasn't too bad in that regard. The biggest challenges I faced would have to be the amount of baseball I played. It was a lot more than I normally got to play which was great but also a little shock to the system!

 

SS: What was the highlight of your 2015 season in the Twins organization?

 

 

CP: The highlights of my season would have to be the numerous walk-offs our GCL team had at the beginning of the season. It was so exciting to be a part those moments! I loved it!

 

SS: What type of pitcher do you think you are and can be? What are your keys to success on the mound?

 

 

CP: It's hard to say what kind of pitcher I am. I'm still trying to figure that out myself. I'm still learning more about what I can do with the ball. I'm still developing as a pitcher so I feel only time will tell what kind of pitcher I will be. I'm not overpowering, nor is my stuff by any means great. I feel like right now my work ethic is just my best trait. .Hopefully 2016 will give me more of an idea as to the kind of pitcher I am.

 

SS: Have you played in any international tournaments in a South Africa uniform? If so, what’s it like to play for your country?

 

 

CP: Yet to represent my country in an international tournament. However, we are playing in the WBC Qualifiers in February in Sydney, Australia, and I'm hoping I will get that that opportunity then.

 

SS: Away from baseball, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

 

 

CP: I enjoy any sort of friend and family time I can get. I'm hardly home throughout the year, so I love any time with them. I enjoy playing golf when I get the chance!

 

SS: Are there certain areas of your game or preparation that you’d like to focus on during the offseason, looking to 2016?

 

 

CP: The areas I'm working on for my 2016 season are just to get really strong and powerful. That's currently what I'm working on. I've got a couple innings in the league back home just to work on a few things so I'm excited for what 2016 will bring!

 

SS: What are some of your goals for the 2016 season? Are there certain statistics that you will focus on?

 

 

CP: I have many goals for 2016. First and foremost, to stay healthy, and then thereafter, I would like to earn myself a promotion to a higher level. I'm putting in loads of work for that, so it would be nice to tick that box. I have some personal goals I would like to achieve, but I'm hoping that what I'm doing now will take care of those goals.

 

SS: What would it mean to you and your family to be able to reach the major leagues and put that uniform on for the first time?

 

 

CP: I give up loads of family time for baseball. When I come home after season I have to go live in another province where the baseball is stronger so that I can get better. So it would be the greatest feeling for not only me, but my family too, to be able to watch me throw in the big leagues. Sounds lame, but I get teary thinking about it!

 

SS: Are there certain people that you feel helped you get to this point in your career?

 

 

CP: There are a couple people who have been instrumental in where I am - tough to name them all, but I feel my family have been great in understanding why I have to be away from home so much and their support through the good and bad times has been more than I could ask for!

 

SS: Favorite Baseball Movie?

 

 

CP: My favourite baseball movie has got to be Moneyball... No doubt! I loved it!

 

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Thank you to Callan Pearce for taking time to respond so thoroughly to our questions. Best wishes to him in the 2016 season.

 

Click here to view the article

[Bob Sacamento]

Video of Callan Pearce on the mound in the GCL this year:

 

https://youtu.be/wJwES2ap9Aw

 

 

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Thanks Seth as always a great article--love reading about the guys trying to make it up who are now down in the low levels.

[ashbury]

Thanks Seth as always a great article--love reading about the guys trying to make it up who are now down in the low levels.

If nothing else, he's providing great material for some future biographer working on their Hall of Fame plaques.

[Mike Sixel]

Great stuff. Thanks to you both for doing this. Nothing wrong with tearing up over your dreams!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Great stuff. Thanks to you both for doing this. Nothing wrong with tearing up over your dreams!

 

Completely agree!! A lot of humility shown in this one, and an acknowledgement of work to do. 

[twinsfansd]

Wouldn't it be a thrill for him, and the organization, to take someone like him, with really no idea of what he is really capable of at this point, and turn him into a MLB baseball player? Wouldn't that light the fire for baseball around the world?