Article: Get To Know: LHP Domenick Carlini

[Seth Stohs]

On Sunday, the Twins will hold their first full-squad workout. Within the next couple of weeks, minor league camp will begin and all will be right with the world. Today we present another Q&A with a Twins minor leaguer. Domenick Carlini is a 22-year-old left-hander who the Twins drafted in 2016 out of Southeastern Louisiana University. As a senior last year, he went 8-2 with a 2.03 ERA. He was second-team All-Conference. The Twins drafted the crafty lefty and sent him to Elizabethton.So let’s get to know a little more about Domenick Carlini. After reading this, feel free to ask questions and leave comments below. Enjoy the Q&A.

 

 

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Mississippi, which was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players?

 

 

Domenick Carlini (DC): Growing up, I loved the Braves. Chipper, Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux were some of my favorites.

 

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?

 

 

DC: My junior year was a year for me to step into a role as sort of the last starter in the rotation, so I had a chip on my shoulder because of that. I ended up having one of my best statistical seasons during that year. I wasn’t really involved in any other sports or activities. I was a late bloomer and my athleticism didn’t really mature until after high school.

 

SS: What was the recruitment process like for you out of high school, and what was it about Southeastern Louisiana U. that made you want to pitch there?

 

 

DC: Out of high school I only received offers from JUCOs and a couple of D2s. JUCO seemed like the best decision for me then. Out of Northwest Mississippi CC the recruiting process picked up fast, but Southeastern was my best option, all-around. I think the reason they stuck out so much is their style of play. I like playing baseball at its purest form (sac bunts, giving your best effort, hustle, etc.) and that’s how we played. Also, I wanted to pitch there because Coach Daniel Latham is one of the best college closers of all time.

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

 

 

DC: The relationships I made off the field will be life-long. Two players stood in my wedding and countless others made the 5+ hour drive. That shows the friendships made. On the field, I think making the first at-large regional bid in program history my senior year was the thing I take most pride in, and pitching in the regional is a memory I can never forget.

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?

 

 

DC: I talked to a few teams. I had a good idea of the range I would get taken in. Honestly, I didn’t really talk with the Twins. He contacted me in the morning of the third day and simply asked if I was ready and if I was still willing to go if I was selected. But the first time I talked to my scout was when I got the call a few seconds after the pick was announced.

 

SS: When you did hear your name in the 21st round, where were you? What was your reaction and the reaction of those close to you?

 

 

DC: I was sitting on my couch with my mother, step-father, and fiancé nearby. I had gotten texts in the rounds prior and just waiting to see when I would go. After a team that had texted me decided to go with another player we all sat back in the couch. I was in my head, so I wasn’t 100% focused, but I remember the guy saying my name. Everyone jumped up. It was an amazing moment for my family and me. We almost didn’t get through hugging when my scout was calling. What a moment.

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

 

 

DC: In college, I was a contact pitcher. I lived off of the batter hitting the ball to my teammates and them getting the outs. Well, in pro ball the hitter’s a little better and those ground balls I was getting in college seem to find a way through the infield for a hit more often. Learning hitters more and finding a way to strike them out more than in college has been the biggest adjustment for me so far.

 

SS: To what do you attribute your success in the Elizabethton?

 

 

DC: Coaching.

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

 

 

DC: Fastball (two seam and four seam), changeup, curve, slider, cutter. My out pitch would be fastball or changeup.

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

 

 

DC: I compete. Plain and simple. I don’t throw 100 mph, but I want to help my team win. That means always being focused on the next pitch and always bouncing back from anything negative that may occur in the game.

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

 

 

DC: Strikeouts. Like I said I am used to just getting a quick ground ball or pop up, but now there are situations where I don’t want the hitter to hit the ball at all.

 

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

 

 

DC: I did not go back to school. I graduated last May.

 

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

 

 

DC: Being with my family or playing basketball with my brother. Ping pong too.

 

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

 

 

DC: All of my coaches along the way have done something to help me get where I am now. I also have a great family that supports me.

 

SS: Favorite baseball movie?

 

 

DC: For the Love of the Game

 

 

Thank you very much Domenick for taking time to answer our questions. Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions in the forum below.

 

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[Thrylos]

Three things:

 

1.  You got to see this.  Need to follow up on that fiance part, Seth.  They are now married

2.  Living in the Mid Atlantic for a while now I would think that someone named Domenick Carlini would be a NY/NJ/PA maybe CT guy.  But Mississippi? wow.

3.  Good luck to him. Hopefully he knows that it is uphill from now on.   Look forward seeing the 2016 draftees and the kids who made it over from the DSL in Fort Myers next month.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Three things:

 

1.  You got to see this.  Need to follow up on that fiance part, Seth.  They are now married

2.  Living in the Mid Atlantic for a while now I would think that someone named Domenick Carlini would be a NY/NJ/PA maybe CT guy.  But Mississippi? wow.

3.  Good luck to him. Hopefully he knows that it is uphill from now on.   Look forward seeing the 2016 draftees and the kids who made it over from the DSL in Fort Myers next month.

 

The question was about the draft... at that time, she was his fiance... 

[EGFTShaw]

 

The question was about the draft... at that time, she was his fiance... 

 

Actually Thrylos, Seth never mentioned fiancé.  DC did when asked where he was when he found out he was drafted.  Also DC mentioned the players who made the 5+ hour trip for his wedding, with 2 of them standing up at his wedding.

I think it was refreshing to see that he complimented his coaches for his success.


 

[terrydactyls]

"Crafty Lefty" means a mediocre fastball, doesn't it?

[insane17]

"Crafty Lefty" means a mediocre fastball, doesn't it?

Better than "Crappy Lefty".....

[Dave The Dastardly]

How come lefties are the only pitchers that are crafty? I mean have you ever heard of a crafty righty? Is it a left-brain, right-brain thing? And what's that mean if you're a lefty but you aren't considered crafty? Does that mean you're dumber than a rock? Or just guileless?

 

Somebody help me out here... I'm ambidextrous. Don't know which way to turn.

[laloesch]

Well in 12 games for Elizabethton he was 1-7 in 8 starts with a 4.83 era.  Not exactly a good start.