12 Questions With... Austin Malinowski

Happy New Year’s Eve, Twins Daily!! Hopefully you have enjoyed our first year at Twins Daily and that we can continue to make strides and improve our Twins coverage. Your feedback is always welcome. Enjoy your New Year’s Eve, but don’t forget to be safe!

Today, we are bringing you another 12 Questions interview. Austin Malinowski was the Twins 16^th round pick in 2011 after he was named the Minnesota High School Player of the Year. He played for Centennial High School in Circle Pines, MN, and had committed to play for the University of Arizona. On the final day he could, he reached an agreement and signed with the Twins.

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Too late to play in 2011, his debut came in 2012 with the Gulf Coast League Twins. They lefty pitched well. He went 3-2 with a 2.27 ERA. In 31.2 innings, he gave up 35 hits, walked 11 and struckout 32 batters. He made six starts and came out of the bullpen five times, but he is definitely viewed as a starting pitcher. He just turned 19 one month ago and is certainly one to watch as he develops and moves up the farm system.

Recently, Malinowski took the time to answer some questions for Twins Daily. Enjoy, and please feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

12 QUESTIONS WITH… Austin Malinowski

Twins Daily (TD): Growing up in Minnesota, should we pretty easily assume who your favorite team was? Who were some of your favorite players?

TD: Tell us about your high school career (baseball and/or other extra-curriculars).

TD: The Twins drafted you in the 16th round in 2011. You had committed to Arizona, but signed with the Twins. How difficult was that decision to sign with the hometown team rather than play at a southern college program? How many times did you change your mind?

TD: What were you hearing before the draft? Were you expecting to go around where you did, and did you have much communication with Twins scouts before that?

TD: After signing, your first real experience came on the Instructional League in Ft. Myers. What did you learn right away that fall?

TD: You pitched in the GCL in 2012. How would you describe your adjustment to pro baseball and what did you learn from that first season?

TD: I assume you’ll be at Twins Fest signing autographs again this year. Had you been to Twins Fest previously, and what was your impression of that event as a member of the Twins organization?

TD: I believe you came back to Minnesota for the offseason. As you begin to workout and throw in preparation for the 2013 season, what is your routine?

TD: Looking to 2013, what are some of your goals? Are there certain statistics or numbers that you look at the judge yourself?

TD: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career as a baseball player?

TD: How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? If you were a scout, what would the report be?

Thank you to Austin! We definitely appreciate the time he spent to respond. As I said above, he is certainly a prospect worth watching the next couple of years as he develops.