Mikey Reynolds: 'We’re confident we can make it to the CWS again'

Jordan K talks with A&M's latest great JUCO shorstop

Jordan Kirkland: This is your first year here in Aggieland after you played last year at Paradise Valley Community College in Arizona. How is College Station treating you so far?

Mikey Reynolds: “College Station is awesome! There are a lot of people who love the sport and just love the college in general. It’s really fun to play for a community that is really into the college like it is here at Texas A&M.”

JK: You had a great sophomore campaign at Paradise Valley CC. What made you choose A&M?

Reynolds: “It was one of the biggest schools that contacted me, so I thought it was the biggest opportunity for me to actually do well and win the College World Series. I came here on my visit and really fell in love with the school, the facilities, the teammates, and just how they went about themselves. I just fell in love.”

JK:  You were a switch-hitter at Paradise Valley CC, but you are now solely a right-sided hitter. What made you decide to put the switch-hitter days behind you?

Reynolds: “When I came here in the fall, I started hitting lefty, but it just wasn’t coming along. I knew I had to produce my junior year, so I talked to Coach Sawyers and he agreed that right side was the best for me to have the ability to produce like the team needed me to.”

JK: You are the leadoff batter this season. Do you have a different approach when in that position than hitting third or fourth deep?

Reynolds: “Yes. In the beginning of the game I have to see the pitches, and make sure the pitcher is not getting the first out right away. Being a leadoff hitter, I see more pitches and I can’t be as aggressive as the 3 and 4 hitters can be. When it comes later in the games and I need to drive in runs, I can. But in the beginning I have to see pitches and get to two strikes, which I’m comfortable with.”

JK: Texas A&M has quite a stacked pitching staff. Pitchers talk about worrying less when they have a good lineup hitting for them and a good defense behind them. Does that work both ways since pitching is so solid?

Reynolds: “Oh yes, definitely. It’s awesome to know that we have [Michael] Wacha Friday, [Ross] Stripling Saturday, and [Rafael] Pineda Sunday. We also have our bullpen, which is amazing. When they come out there and hit their spots, it’s really comforting defensively to know that we’re not going to be out in the field waiting as guys get walked. We’re going to be on our toes and ready to play.”

JK: The team is on a seven-game winning streak. Is there a specific reason why the team seems to be firing on all cylinders?

Reynolds: “I think we’re just staying with our approach. Coach Sawyers has really grilled into us to keep our composure and play as a nine-man team instead of a one-man team. As long as we all do our jobs, we’ll keep hitting. Defensively we are all good enough to make all of the plays, so confidence is definitely not an issue for us. It’s awesome the way we are playing right now and so far this season.”

JK: The weekend series is against Cal State Fullerton, probably the best team you have faced so far this season. They have a very strong pitching staff. Have you scouted the team yet?

Reynolds: “I have not looked at their pitching staff yet. We just know that they are a really good team. They beat Florida once, and Florida is ranked No. 1. They are kinda like us in that they are fast, defensively sound, and can hit the ball well. I’m pretty excited, I think it’s going to be a great series.”

JK: Moving from California to Arizona to now College Station, do you have anything that you like to do here in your spare time? Something new you’ve picked up being in such a different environment?

Reynolds: “I don’t know … hanging out with my teammates. Everywhere you go, you just fall in love with your team and make great relationships with your friends. We also have five guys that play guitar, so we all get together and play acoustic regularly. We’ll also go out or hang out and play FIFA a lot.”

JK: FIFA is really popular. Every single athlete I have interviewed has brought that up. What makes it so popular with athletes?

“I think it’s just so competitive. The game is so hard, and as athletes we are naturally competitive. We really get to take out our aggressions on the FIFA field.”

JK: The entire team and Coach Childress are talking about making another trip to the College World Series. What is it about this team that gives you the greatest potential to make it to the CWS again?

Reynolds: “Obviously our coaching is phenomenal. Coach Childress does a really good job of telling us his expectations, and he stresses on just taking it one game at a time. Also Coach Sawyers is a great hitting coach. We really love the guy and he does a great job cultivating relationships with us. He’s really like a father to all of us. Coaching, pitching, defense, and our hitting. We’re just really confident in the way that we’re playing and we can make it to the College World Series again.”