Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Southwest Florida, who was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players?
Brady Anderson (BA): My favorite team was the Cardinals. My dad and mom are both from the Iowa-Illinois area, and my dad was a Cardinals fan and my mom a Cubs fan. I chose the Cardinals to root for.
SS: Did you spend much time going to spring training practices and games growing up?
BA: I went to spring training games when I was younger but haven't gone to any in a long time. I usually just went to regular season games.
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?
BA: My greatest memories of high school baseball were just playing it with my friends. We never accomplished anything special, but all of my friends and brother played and it was just good to be around them all the time. I tried playing golf as well, but I was really bad at it.
SS: What was the recruitment process like for you out of high school, and what was it about Florida Gulf Coast that made you want to go there?
BA: I just loved the environment of FGCU. They started following me pretty early, and I loved the place whenever I visited. I decided pretty early on that I wanted to stay in Florida and attend a smaller D1 program that always had a good team, At the time of my commitment, they had won three straight conference titles.
SS: Did you have the chance to speak with many scouts before the draft? Was there any thought that you might be drafted? What was your interaction with Twins scouts?
BA: I didn't speak to anyone before or during the draft. The first time I heard from the Twins was the Monday after the draft when they called and said they needed another pitcher in the GCL and was wondering if I was interested.
SS: What has the adjustment like for you, from the amateur/college game to the professional game, both on and off the field?
BA: There actually wasn't much of a transition. Of course, it's a little different, but I spent three summers up in Willmar, Minnesota, playing for the Stingers in the Northwoods League. It was the same as it is here; play every day, long bus rides and late nights. The same off the field. I lived at a dorm on campus at FGCU and then lived at one during the GCL. When I was up in Cedar Rapids, I had a tremendous host family just like when I spent my three summers in Willmar. Of course, there are minor differences, but nothing major, or I really think my college days prepared me well.
SS: You dominated the GCL, and have moved up to Cedar Rapids. To what do you attribute the instant success to?
BA: I want to attribute my success to just working at it. I've spent my whole life trying to make it to this point, and now that I'm here, I just want to prove myself worthy every time I go out on the field. It definitely helped going to college and being able to fine-tune myself both on the mound and mentally as well.
SS: What has the transition to Cedar Rapids and the Midwest League been like? You had a lot of success.
BA: The transition to Cedar Rapids was an exciting one. I never really expected it, and it kind of caught me off guard. But I enjoyed the league and everything that it encompassed (town, host family, teammates, coaches, staff). I won't lie though, at first it was a little strange going from waking up early, game at noon, done by 4:00 day in the GCL, compared to the 6:30 game and done at 11. Took a few days to get that transition down, otherwise everything else went pretty smoothly.
SS: What has the atmosphere been like around the Kernels, knowing that the playoffs were in reach. .
BA: The atmosphere was exciting. It was cool to make the playoffs in my first professional season. You could tell that everyone wanted it, and people believed that we had a team capable of doing some damage in the playoffs. It was a fun atmosphere to be around and play in.
SS: At this very early stage in your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths?
BA: I would say my strengths are always wanting to improve myself in any way possible. I would also say my ability to adapt to different roles and my mental game. I would say, above all else, the mental game has helped me the most this first year.
SS: What are the areas of your game that you would like to spend time working to improve in the offseason and going forward?
BA: There really isn't just one or two areas that I want to work on. I want to try to get better in every aspect of my game. Everything can be improved in some way or fashion, and I want to try and improve it all.
SS: Will you be going back to school in the offseason? What was your major in school?
BA: I have actually been taking an online class ever since the middle of August. I actually already graduated with a degree in Accounting, and I'm currently pursuing my MBA. I have five classes left, and then I am done with it.
SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career?
BA: I would definitely say my family. Not only did they allow me to play by taking me to places and paying for stuff, but they were out there every day with me practicing and helping me get better. Apart from them, I would say just about every coach I have ever had from travel ball to high school to college. I feel like I've taken a bit from each person that I've associated with over the years. I can't thank them all enough for what they have done for me.
SS: Favorite baseball movie?
BA: For the Love of the Game, The Natural is good as well.
Thank you to Brady Anderson for taking time to thoughtfully respond to these questions. Congratulations on a terrific professional debut!
Feel free to discuss below.
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