Get To Know: 1B Kolton Kendrick

Continue on to read more about another new Twins minor leaguer, Kolton Kendrick.

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

Kolton Kendrick (KK) I never really had a favorite team in the MLB or a favorite player, but I really enjoyed going to college games like LSU football and baseball and Southeastern Louisiana baseball, where I was going to college. There are very close from where I live, and my family and I really enjoyed that a lot.

SS: Drafted by the Twins in the eighth round... is that about where you thought you would be selected before the draft? What were your thoughts when you heard your name called?

KK: I'm very blessed to get this opportunity, and where I went in the draft, it's been a lifelong dream. I was projected first five rounds, but I didn't sit on it just because I heard how the draft is in the past, and I just thank God every day that He put me in the position of going in the eighth round. Whether it was the first round or the 40th round, I still would be blessed either way and give the thanks to God. I was very excited when my name came across the screen.

SS: You had the commitment to play at Southeastern Louisiana. How difficult was the decision to sign with the Twins, or did you know you wanted to sign all along?

KK: It was very difficult, but it was a family decision, and I think I made the right decision to take it. Southeastern is a great school and is on a huge rise in their baseball program. They have one of the best coaching staffs, and they teach their players how to play the game hard and the right way. They get theie players mentally and physically ready for real life situations and game situations.

SS: After signing, you came down with mono. How frustrating was it for you to have signed and then have to wait to get to play?

KK: It was very frustrating because the doctors wouldn't let me do anything for a whole month. I thought I was going to go crazy cause that's never happened to me before. When I went back down to Florida, I was rusty and had to get back to where I was. It took me a while to get used, to it but I got the hang of it.

SS: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make, going from the high school and amateur season to the pro game? On or off the field?

KK: The biggest adjustment I had to make was probably staying more mentally focused into the game and taking care of my body. It was tough going from 32 games in high school to playing every day, but it takes time to get used to it. Fortunately, we were all blessed with great trainers and older guys being down there in rehab because they will teach you some things that they've learned along the way. You have to take those things into consideration if you want to mature as a person and become a better player.

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

KK: My biggest strengths are probably my power when hitting and working my butt off when no one is looking. My power numbers really didn't show this past year like they have my whole life. I was disappointed, but I know it takes time. I will do whatever it takes to get back to do doing what I've been doing my whole life and that's hitting with power and playing the game hard.

SS: What are the things that you feel you need to improve over the offseason and going forward?

KK: I definitely need to get bigger, stronger, and faster because I lost a lot of it when I had mono, and lost a lot of weight during the season. I also need to mentally prepare myself and learn how to take care of my body to have a healthy career

SS: What were some of the highlights of your high school and amateur career? (What other sports or activities did you participate in?)

KK: My highlight of my high school career was going to state my senior year for baseball, getting all-American two years in a row, my junior and senior years, and playing in the high school all-star game my senior year.

SS: What are your plans for the offseason? (Baseball Training, but also what do you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball?)

KK: I'm working out with former big leaguer Ryan Theriot and a bunch of pro guys. Ryan has a huge facility and a ton of pro guys are working out in there, so it's great to be around all that. He has a lot of great trainers and nutritionists and people teaching you how to take care of your body. I also love to duck hunt and deer hunt. I've been doing it my whole life and it's become a passion. It really gets my mind off of things, and I can relax without any worries.

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

KK: First off I’d like to give the glory to God and my wonderful family, but there's been so many people that have impacted me on this journey and helped me get to where I am. I'd like to give credit to Wade Miley. He's taught me some things, and he's playing for Boston Red Sox right now in the big leagues. He grew up and still lives in the small town where I'm from. All my coaches from when I played travel baseball when I was younger. I'd really like to give credit to Leo Mcluer and Trey Mcluer and also my high school coaches and Tony Salim who has helped me every step of the way.

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A big Thank You to Kolton Kendrick for taking time to respond to our questions. Best wishes to him! Please feel free to comment or ask questions below.