Interview with Jarrod Saltalamacchia

I caught up with he Braves backup catcher and top prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the Braves clubhouse before Friday night's game. He's a real easy-going kid who seems to be fitting right in. If you'd like to read the interview I did with Salty this spring click here.

Martin Gandy: When I talked with you during spring training I asked you where you thought you were going to be assigned, double-A or triple-A, and you said it didn't matter because you could get called up from either place. It turns out you were right. What did it feel like when you got called up?

Jarrod Saltalamacchia: It felt great man. It was just one of those things, I wasn't expecting it. Got the call and I've been enjoying every moment since.

MG: What about the decision to have you stay?

JS: No, I'm excited. I'm doing everything I possibly can to try and stay and do what I can to help the team. I came up here knowing there was a chance of going right back down, and I was going to take advantage of every minute I had up here, and I feel I've done that so far.

MG: How have you handed the diminished playing time?

JS: Yeah, I mean, it's tough, but it's one of those things where I know my role, I know what I'm here for, and I've just got to do the best I can at whatever role I have.

MG: How has the adjustment to major league pitching been?

JS: It's been fun, I mean, the pitching's obviously going to be around the plate so you know you've got a chance. I don't know what it is, I just can concentrate more, the fields are so much better, the lights, the atmosphere, it's just a great thing to be in, but you just got to go out there and play the game the same way you did in double-A.

MG: You've just missed two or three homeruns that went all the way to the wall. Do you feel like you're dialed in?

JS: Yeah, I feel good at the plate, I'm doing my part just trying to get on base and help out. If there's runners in scoring position do what you can to get them in. So yeah, its...I feel good.

MG: You said this spring that you were just trying to be injury free and have a good start to the season. You did that, are you still feeling good and injury free?

JS: Yeah, I feel strong, I feel healthy. It's two months into the season, and I feel healthy still, I haven't been really doing anything to take that away. So, feel good, feel healthy.

MG: How is working with Brian McCann?

JS: It's been great. He's a great guy, he knows how to call a game, he knows how to play the game. It's good to sit and listen to him and listen to Smoltz and sit down with Roger [McDowell].

MG: Has there been anyone in particular that has helped you make the adjustment to the major leagues?

JS: No, you know I just kind of sit on the bench and watch the game, and a lot of hitters I don't know, so I sit next to Roger or whoever's pitching that night and listen to what they have to say about hitters and how they would throw to them, and you know, kind of learn that way.

MG: How about adjusting to the role of a pinch hitter?

JS: It's tough, you know, it's one of the toughest jobs in baseball to come off the bench - sitting there for eight innings and then be expected to do something. But a lot of people make a lot of money in this game doing that, Julio Franco's one of them. It's one of those things where you've just got to be mentally ready the whole game - you don't whether you're going third, fifth, seventh, or when, just be mentally ready.

MG: You said in spring training that you didn't think that playing first base was in your future, but here it is in your present?

JS: Yeah, I haven't got a chance to play there yet, but I've been taking ground balls; Bobby asked me to take ground balls. Hopefully I can get in there sometime. I'm just trying to find a way to play and trying to find a way to help the team.

MG: Is there anyone in particular helping you make the transition?

JS: I'm trying to pick up a little bit from everybody, you know, whoever's willing to give me some information.

MG: Okay, well thanks a lot I appreciate it.

JS: Thank you.

MG: Good luck to you.