Article: Get To Know: Twins RHP Prospect Juan Gamez

[Seth Stohs]

Juan Gamez grew up in Tucson, Arizona, went to junior college in his hometown for two years and then made the trek north to North Dakota State University where he spent his final two college years. His story is quite interesting. He was a catcher in high school and college. The Twins drafted him as a catcher but within a couple of weeks, Gamez was moved from behind the plate to the mound.

 

The transition wasn’t too surprising, and yet it is going to take a little bit of patience. Gamez does have a big arm, and he’s working on his secondary pitches and learning how to be a pitcher. His journey will certainly be interesting to watch.Recently Gamez took some time to answer questions for Twins Daily. After ready, be sure to make ask questions and leave comments in the forum.

 

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Tucson, which was your favorite team to follow? (I bet I can guess.) Who were some of your favorite players?

 

Juan Gamez (JG): Believe it or not I was not a big D-backs fan during my childhood. My favorite team was the Boston Red Sox mostly because of one player, an ex-Twin by the name of David Ortiz.

 

SS: What were some of the better memories of your high school baseball career? Did you play other sports or were you involved in other activities?

 

JG: Some of my best high school memories were being able to play baseball with my best friends and all the friendships created thanks to baseball. And I played soccer my freshman year, but I wasn’t very good at it so I focused on baseball instead.

 

SS: What was the recruitment process like for you out of high school, and what was it about Pima CC that made you want to play there?

 

JG: Out of high school the recruitment was fairly quiet. There were a few bigger schools that showed interest in me but felt that playing junior college out of high school was the best option for me. It was an easy decision for me to pick Pima as my junior college because apart from being in my hometown, the coaching staff there is one of the best in the junior college level.

 

SS: After two seasons there, what brought you way up north to play baseball at North Dakota State?

 

JG: Well after my two years at Pima, there were a few schools interested in me, but after taking my visit to NDSU, I fell in love with the place and knew that I wanted to spend the next two years playing baseball up there.

 

SS: What was the experience for you at NDSU? What were some of your highlights and favorite moments in your years there?

 

JG: It was an amazing experience for me, definitely the best time of my life. The school itself, the great facilities we were provided with, along with all the life-long friendships created. Plus on top of all that Fargo, North Dakota, is by far one of the greatest college towns in the U.S. One of my favorite moments was the celebration in the clubhouse after we walked off against Oral Roberts to win the series. #Horns-up

 

SS: Did you have the chance to speak with many scouts before the draft? Where did you think that you might be drafted? What was your interaction with Twins scouts before the draft?

 

JG: I got the chance to talk to several scouts before the draft and got the chance to go to a couple of pre-draft workouts. The Twins were one of the teams who invited me to a pre-draft workout and thankfully they ended up liking me enough to draft me.

 

SS: When you did hear your name in the 31st round, where were you? What was your reaction and the reaction of those close to you?

 

JG: I was actually in my room watching TV. I was too nervous to follow the draft on my computer, so I went up to my room by myself and waited. Finally my parents starting cheering as my name got called.

 

SS: What has the adjustment been like for you, from the amateur/college game to the professional game, both on and off the field?

 

JG: I’ve had a good transition from the college game to the professional game thanks to the work ethic driven into me ever since high school. I’ve been lucky enough to be in good programs all throughout my amateur career, which has definitely made the transition to pro ball a much simpler one.

 

SS: What was the discussion like when the decision was made for you to move out from behind the plate and to the mound? Were you OK with that decision?

 

JG: Pitching in the pro level became an option even before the draft. During the pre-draft workout, I worked out as both catcher and pitcher for the Twins. I ended up being drafted as a catcher, but becoming a pitcher was always an option. When the decision was made to switch positions, I was more than happy to take on a new challenge.

 

SS: What was it about catching that you most enjoyed??

 

JG: One of the things that I loved about catching was being in every single play throughout the entire game. I loved the responsibility that came with the position.

 

SS: I know you pitched in one game while at NDSU. Had you pitched before in college or high school?

 

JG: I got the chance to pitch a couple innings during summer ball before my senior year. But other than that the only time I had stepped on a pitcher’s mound before was during mound visits.

 

SS: What pitches do you throw, and what would you consider your out pitch?

 

JG: Right now, I have a two seam-fastball and a slider. This off-season I’ve been working on developing a good changeup. I would consider my slider to be my out pitch, but it definitely needs some work.

 

SS: At this very early stage in your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths?

 

JG: I think one of my biggest strengths is that all the information provided from my pitching coach is new to me. Which sounds like a bad thing, but I think the ability to start from zero and to be surrounded by people with so much knowledge about the game can definitely help me become a better pitcher than someone who thinks they know it all and has created bad habits throughout the years.

 

SS: What are the areas of your game that you have been working on improving in the offseason and going forward?

 

JG: The biggest thing I’ve focused on this off-season is bettering my pitching mechanics. Finding something I feel comfortable with to build on. This pitching thing is fairly new to me so I’m working on becoming a pitcher not a thrower.

 

SS: Did you go back to school in the offseason? What is your major in school?

 

JG: I was able to graduate on time at the end of my senior year. I majored in Criminal Justice and minored in Psychology.

 

SS: What are some of the things you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball?

 

JG: Definitely spending time with the family. The season is so long that there is a lot of catching up to do with them. Hiking and swimming are some of the things I enjoy doing the most during my time off from baseball. And watching Netflix. I really enjoy that.

 

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

 

JG: I give all the credit to my family. It’s safe to say I have the best parents in the world who are always pushing me to better myself. They support every decision I make and always have my back. My siblings who I know support me as well and motivate me to do great things. Lastly all the coaches who have helped me out throughout my career on and off the field. Without them I wouldn’t be in the position I am right now.

 

SS: Favorite baseball movie?

 

JG: Mr. Baseball.

 

A huge Thank You to Juan Gamez for taking time to answer all of these questions and let us Get To Know him. Leave your comments below.

 

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[glunn]

Gamez seems very intelligent and has good attitude. I hope that he is successful.

 

[HitInAPinch]

Seems a little odd to me that a guy, at best a part time starter, throws a slider.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seems a little odd to me that a guy, at best a part time starter, throws a slider.

 

Why? He'll be a bullpen guy. Fastball-Slider is a great combination.

[Bob Sacamento]

Awesome to see he graduated from college, all too often these guys do not.  Degree in Criminal Justice and minor in Psychology, not bad.

 

Pretty sure, Gamez is the first minor leaguer that've got to watch hit and pitch in the same minor league season.  Watching Juan at the plate in the GCL, he wasn't bad, he just wasn't that good, a really long stroke.  Defensively, he looked good behind the dish.  I was able to see Juan pitch, his velo was good in the low 90's from what I recall, he has a short arm action which probably goes to all the years of throwing like a catcher.

 

Video of Gamez pitching:

https://youtu.be/PvzRjuvb1Mc?t=1m44s

 

Video of Gamez hitting:

https://youtu.be/RJFqozDMDeU

[clutterheart]

 

Plus on top of all that Fargo, North Dakota, is by far one of the greatest college towns in the U.S.

 

Fargo is a fine place, but I would guess that these words haven't been said very often