Article: Get To Know: Twins Outfield Prospect Matt Albanese

[Seth Stohs]

Matt Albanese’s college career came to a premature end when he fractured his wrist. But the Twins scouts saw enough in him to make him their seventh-round pick in 2016. After signing at Target Field, he went to Ft. Myers to begin the rehab process. Soon after, it was found that he had a ligament tear.

 

Albanese is a terrific athlete with speed and potential to hit with a lot of power. He is already in Ft. Myers continuing to rehab but adding in more and more baseball activities as he looks forward to his professional debut in 2017.

 

In the meantime, he has enjoyed working with kids in the community. The photo was taken last weekend at one such event. They are frequent, free events that the Twins minor leaguers run. Albanese said “Every Saturday, the guys that are around load up in vans and go to two neighborhoods and host a 2 hour workout, sign balls and take pictures. It's a lot of fun to give back and teach younger kids about the game.”Let’s get to know a little more about Matt Albanese.

 

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Connecticut, which was your favorite team and who were some of your favorite players?

 

Matt Albanese (MA): In Connecticut, you are either a Yankees fan or a Red Sox Fan. I grew up a huge Yankees fan and went to a lot of games with my dad and cousins. My greatest memory was Josh Hamilton’s crazy first round performance in the 2008 home run derby at the old stadium.

 

SS: What were some of your best memories from high school baseball? Did you play other sports? Participate in other activities?

 

MA: I went to Xavier High School, an all-boys Catholic school in Middletown, CT. When I tell people about my high school, they are usually expecting me to respond in negative way and tell them how strict it was and how brutal it was without any girls around. I feel the exact opposite about my high school experience. It was awesome on the field and also in the classroom. My senior year we had an incredible team and only lost one game in the regular season. We were looking to make some noise in the state tournament, but we were upset (in) game one. Although that season didn’t end the way we wanted it, I’ll remember those guys and that year forever. I played basketball up until my junior year, also participated in MYARC, a program where you spend time with and have a little dance party with individuals with special needs once a week. I had a cousin in the program, and it was great to spend time with her.

 

SS: What were your options coming out of high school? What was it about Bryant University that made it the right place for you?

 

MA: I was getting looks from all the major northeast schools (Bryant, UCONN, Northeastern), but I wasn't getting the looks I dreamed about as a kid (Vandy, Virginia, etc.) I knew deep down that I had a lot of potential that hadn't been tapped yet. It finally came down to UCONN or Bryant and although, at the time, UCONN’s facilities and baseball program were a little bit ahead of Bryant’s, I had a lot of promise in Bryant’s baseball program’s future. I’d say the greatest deciding factor was the impression Coach Owens (head coach) left on me. I knew that if I went to Bryant, I’d have a leader with incomparable passion, knowledge and he's just a flat-out winner. At Bryant, I was given the opportunity to play right away, and I made some mistakes, but I rarely made them again. I came in my freshman year weighing 185 pounds and started my freshman season at 205, a weight I still maintain. At Bryant, there is a huge commitment to strength and conditioning that helped a lot.

 

SS: Did you talk to a lot of scouts before the draft? Specifically, did you talk to any of the Twins scouts?

 

MA: I was speaking with scouts from every team before the draft. The Twins scout (John) was was not one of the guys that, in my opinion, was forwardly expressing a lot of interest. He'd send me a text here or there, but I had some teams calling me every other day. It was a little bit of a surprise, but definitely a great one.

 

SS: How frustrating was it to get hurt during the season, especially knowing the draft was coming?

 

MA: Throughout college, I had a number of injuries, all of which were out of my control. For example, my sophomore year I missed half the season recovering from an appendectomy. Obviously, getting hurt is frustrating, but if you get hurt on a hustle play, like diving and breaking your wrist, you have to realize it’s part of the game. If I were to have half-heartedly stretched and pulled a hammy or something, then yes, I would have been frustrated and disappointed, but getting hurt making a play for your team doesn't sting as bad.

 

SS: Drafted by the Twins in the seventh round... is that about where you thought you might be selected before the draft?

 

MA: I had a good idea where I deserved to go and the seventh was near my prediction.

 

SS: Did you watch or listen to the draft? Where were you and who were you with when you found out? How busy was your phone at that time?

 

MA: My family and I were at my house in Connecticut. We had the TV outside streaming the second day of the draft. A few of my close friends were there, as well as my uncle, girlfriend, parents and grandparents. Everyone tells you it’s going to be a nerve-wracking day, but you have to realize that there is nothing you can do on that day to change its outcome. I did my best to remember that but still was pretty anxious. After I was selected my phone flooded with calls and texts of congratulations. It was beyond exciting.

 

SS: What was your schedule after signing? When were you able to resume baseball activities?

 

MA: I flew to Minnesota to sign my contract and to have a physical done by the team doctor, then flew down to Ft Myers to continue my wrist rehab. I began resuming baseball later that fall.

 

SS: In these early stages of your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths as a player?

 

MA: I pride myself on being quick to make adjustments and being a good listener. There are a lot of differences between high school and college ball, and I expect there to be some more differences between college and pro ball. If I'm able to listen to guys that have been successful before me and make some adjustments as needed, I know I’ll be able to continue my success, and help whatever team I’m on win.

 

SS: What are you most looking forward to in getting back on the field as a professional player?

 

MA: I look forward to being part of a team again. The rehab can be a drag and get kind of boring and lonely. I want to go out and compete again with a group of guys with a common goal.

 

SS: What do you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball?

 

MA: I enjoy fishing with my dad and my friends. We’ll go deep-sea fishing whenever we can all get together. I also enjoy traveling and experiencing new places I’ve never been before.

 

SS:Do you have any specific personal goals for 2017?

 

MA: In 2017, I am going to grow as a person as well as a ball player. I will have quality at-bats, learn from any mistakes I make and be as good a teammate as possible.

 

SS: Who are some of the coaches and others who have helped you get to this point in your career?

 

MA: My dad, he introduced me to the game, was my first coach and, along with my mom, has supported me in everything that I do. I played for a travel team growing up and had a lot of great experiences with different coaches. Coach Shane would throw me extra BP for hours, and Coach Martin made me wear my helmet in I/O because I forgot my hat. I never forgot my hat again. In college, Coach Gedman, taught me to step out of your comfort zone and try some new things if you want to improve. Coach Owens helped me realize the importance of doing the little things right because they all add up. Coach Kyle, who is as much my friend as he is my coach, helped me learn how to fine-tune my swing when I wasn't getting the results. And Coach Ryan, always kept the dugout loose, taught me how to play relaxed and confident.

 

SS: Favorite baseball movie?

 

MA: Sandlot

 

 

Thank you very much to Matt Albanese for taking time out of his schedule to answer our questions. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

 

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[Miraclebat]

What position do the Twins expect him to play?

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm curious about where he would have been drafted pre-injury.  I personally love some of those later round injured guy picks that would have gone higher had they not gotten hurt.