Ross Stripling talks MLB draft, pregame rituals, favorite A&M moment

Notes from Ross Stripling interview

* After getting drafted last year, he chose to come back to A&M to finish his degree and had a great senior year. He was initially slotted in the fourth to eighth rounds of the draft and hadn’t had a whole lot of communication with the Dodgers initially. They ended up taking him in the fifth round and it was a moment that he will remember for the rest of his life.

* He is a third generation Aggie and getting his degree from A&M was huge to him and his family. He had come so far and only needed a few hours left to graduate, so that played a big part in him coming back after his junior season. Another reason he came back was for the team. They had so much experience coming back and were in position for a good run at a national title this year. None of them are happy about the way the season ended, but it was hard not to be excited about this team at the beginning of the year with who all was coming back.

* It didn’t really kick in that his time at A&M was coming to a close until guys like Tyler Naquin and Jacob House started getting ovations when they would return to the dugout after their last at-bat. The fans also gave him and Michael Wacha huge standing ovations when they ran off the field.

* It’s embarrassing to see a team celebrate on your home field after they earned their trip to the super regionals, especially when that is where you deserve to be. It hasn’t fully soaked in that his time is over, but it’s time to go onto the next phase of his baseball career.

* He won’t ever truly take of the maroon and white and is excited to come back in the fall to work out and watch some SEC football. There is hardly anywhere else in the nation that gets to play in an atmosphere like at A&M. Suiting up every day and going out to the field whether he is pitching or not is always fun. He will miss the fan support, but you have to move on at some point.

* The no-hitter he through against San Diego State last month is one of, if not his most memorable outing while at A&M. His first start during his sophomore year and how nervous he was going into that game is another memory he will always have with him. Overall, he will always remember the fans and the people around him that helped him get to where he is today.

* A&M has had great starting pitching since he stepped foot on campus, and they have talent to continue that if guys can get some work in during the offseason. Guys like Jason Freeman, Gandy Stubblefield, Corey Ray and Daniel Mengden should all make big leaps this summer. If these guys can develop their change up a little this offseason, there is no telling how good they could be.

* Against San Diego State, he felt fine but also didn’t feel like he had his best stuff on that day. Against Ole Miss last week, he felt fantastic in the pen while warming up. Those two examples show how funny of a game baseball can be and you never know what’s going to happen when you step on the mound.

* When you look at how the team played against Oklahoma State in Stillwater and how everything was going their way to end the regular season, the team’s performance in the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments was surprising. Everything was going their way and the team was in position to make another run to Omaha, but baseball is a funny game and after a bad two weeks, the season is over.

* Before each start, he has to watch a movie as part of his pregame ritual. He used to have to watch on his laptop or his phone, but now with the cathedral of a stadium A&M has, it’s easy to find a flat screen TV to watch on. The team arrives to the park four hours before first pitch, and as a pitcher there isn’t a lot to do during that time. The starting pitcher has nothing to do but think while the teams are taking batting practice, and thinking isn’t something you necessarily want to do too much of before a big game.

* He has family all over that wasn’t able to get to his game against San Diego State who normally listens to the radio broadcast. The majority of them tuned in during the third inning on that day, so they knew he was having a good game, but had no idea he was throwing a no-no because it wasn’t mentioned on the radio broadcast. At the end of the game when everyone exploded, his family had no clue as to what was going on.

* Directly after he was drafted, he received a call saying the Dodgers were going to finish the draft and then call afterwards to start negotiations. He negotiated with the club yesterday and is meeting a Dodgers representative today to sign his contract.

* From talking to their scouts and people within the organization, the Dodgers have high hopes for him and expect him to make a good run through the farm system and hopefully get up to the big leagues quickly. He will ship off next weekend for Ogden, Utah to play for the Raptors and he’s excited about that. They know that he’s thrown a lot of innings in the past couple of years, so they will take it easy with his arm and throw him about 30 innings all summer.

* One thing he has learned from the A&M players that have been drafted in years past is that playing baseball is now a job. You’re competing against thousands of other players trying to make it to where you are which means you have to work your tail off to stay in your spot. He’s also learned that it is a little different than the college game in that you will sometimes show up to the field in the morning and be done by two in the afternoon. From what they say, you either love it or you hate the professional baseball lifestyle.

* It’s a tough decision for some of these guys who got drafted and still have eligibility left. When someone is waving money in your face and telling you to get paid to play a game that you love, it’s hard to say no to and figure out what you want to do.

* His message to the Aggie fans that have supported him during his time at A&M would be one of thanks. The fans have been with him since he was a freshman and it’s been an absolute privilege to represent the school he loves.