Interview with Atlanta Braves newest prospect Mahki Backstrom

Shortly after signing his pro contract on Sunday afternoon, Talking Chop had the chance to interview one of the most hyped of the 2019 MLB Draft Day 3 prospects, Mahki Backstrom.

The first baseman out of Southern California was a great interview and really gives you the chance to know a little bit more about who he is as a person.

Talking Chop: What was your favorite team growing up and were there any players that you tried to model your game after?

Mahki Backstrom: My favorite team growing up was the Dodgers, of course I was a LA guy. I tried to model my game after Ryan Howard.

TC: Your college commitment was to Fresno State. I know they don’t quite have the biggest history, but they’re a program on the way up right now and your high school teammate Jordan Brown was also committed there before signing with the Indians in the sixth round. What drew you to Fresno? Was it location, a chance to play with Jordan, or something else?

MB: It was a little bit of everything. It was a big home for me. Also they’ve had humgunous guys come out of there like Aaron Judge. It was really a home for me, and I saw it as a place I could succeed in college baseball and really do damage. I felt as though I could do that there.

TC: In addition to baseball did you play any other sports growing up? I know you’re a great athlete with size for a few sports and can dunk a basketball pretty easily.

MB: I played freshman football up at St. John Bosco High School and a little pickup basketball here and there. I’ll causally dunk on people in pickup basketball, but that’s about it.

TC: With your athleticism there are going to be some questions about your defensive home, because you’ve got a lot of experience at first base but the athleticism for the corner outfield. Is there a spot you prefer? Have the Braves told you where they want to play you?

MB: I have no preference, I just wanna play. That’s just how I am, I just wanna play. Get me on the field and I’ll play. I’ve always grown up as an outfield/first base, so I’ve always felt real comfortable at either one.

TC: Your approach at the plate, how would you describe it? Do you look to hit the ball hard? Look for home runs? Try to wait for a certain pitch? Or does it change by the situation?

MB: My approach is literally hit the pitcher in the head. I know it sounds bad, but that’s just how my hands stay inside the ball and I can react to the inside pitch and look away with that approach. I can hit it right above the pitcher’s head. I know that sounds really bad, but that’s just my approach.(Note: He was trying to make it clear he wasn’t trying to actually hit the pitcher as much as he used the pitcher as a marker for his mechanics.)

TC: So does that mean your home runs just happen on their own?

MB: My dad always told me home runs are accidental, base hits are on purpose. You don’t look at home runs, you look to hit the ball hard and your size and leverage is going to carry the ball no matter what. You’re 6’5”, 229, it’s gonna carry.

TC: What was it like to play in some of the very big showcase games and events, such as the Perfect Game All American Classic among others?

MB: I was excited. I can describe it as an exciting moment. It was very eye opening to the whole process of everything and how Baseball life works. Being able to travel with my family. It was a dream come true, just being able to play on that big stage and getting there and just having fun because you’ll never be an All American again, you’ll never go to the national showcase again. So just live in the moment and be you and be in that moment and be excited for it.

TC: Since we’re talking about playing in the premium events, who would you say the toughest pitcher or pitchers you’ve faced are?

MB: Daniel Espino, Kendall Williams, and one of my best friends Kelvin Bender who is with the Brewers right now. Kelvin has always had that hammer curveball that’ll just start behind your ear and end up in the strike zone. It’s just crazy to hit lefty-lefty on. He’ll either punch you out or make you roll over with it. (Note Kelvin Bender was also one of the teammates with Backstrom and Brown this year)

TC: Speaking of a guy like Espino stuff wise, how do you step into the box against that kind of premium velocity with the ability to bring a nasty breaking ball? Does that change anything for you?

MB: You sit on one pitch and you hit that pitch. If you’re looking for the curveball, you hit the curveball. You know where it’s going, don’t swing where it’s at but swing where it’s going. If you’re looking fastball, get the foot down sit dead red fastball and let it go, let those hands work. That’s how I handle high velocity, just let the hands work. If you think you’re done. If you don’t think and just react then the pitcher is going to have a tough day against you.

TC: You went to the same high school as another slugger who plays both first base and the outfield, the Mets Dominic Smith. Has he been able to help you at all with and advice on playing or going through this process?

MB: Definitely. Me and Dominic Smith worked out over winter break and spring break, just weight lifting and we hit. We worked on approach and keeping hands inside the barrel. He let me know when you feel like quitting, don’t ever quit. When you feel like nothing is going well, just pray for it and it’ll happen.

TC: Have the Braves mentioned anything about where you’re going to start out? I’m assuming it would be the GCL team.

MB: It will be the GCL. I’m flying to North Port tomorrow(Monday).

TC: Does this mean getting into games this week? Or have they not gotten that far yet?

MB: I don’t know about getting into games this week since I’m not the coaches. I just know I’ll be working out down there and getting reps in with the team and getting some work in with hitting coaches- some great hitting coaches that I’d say. Just having fun and doing what I love the most.

TC: The draft process as a whole, what was that like for you? All the scouting visits, travel, interviews, etc?

MB: It was at times stressful because it’s just like man I just wanna play. I just wanna play. You go through your ups and downs and whatnot. Those people are going to see your ups and downs and are going to grade you. When you’re having an off game you’re like man those guys were here to see me, but when you’re having the greatest game of your life it’s like Whoa, they just came and saw me and that was an eye turned. It was a stressful process, but in the end it was definitely worth it. I got a big ole smile on my face like I do right now, so it was all worth it, the long nights, the days in the cage. Everything was worth it in the draft process.

TC: When did you know the Braves were serious about you?

MB: My sophomore year into junior year. I know that sounds like a long time ago, but there was a local scout(for the Braves) named Kevin Martin who I hit a ground ball up the middle so hard it ate up the center fielder like kinda undressed him. He was like this dude goes three that’s my guy, and I ended up hitting an inside the park home run. He was like that’s my guy, I love him. So that let me know the Braves were a big contender for taking me. Ever since then I kept in touch and built a great relationship, so that’s how I knew.

TC: There were a lot of people projecting you to go higher in the draft, but you fell a little into Day 3 of the draft. Before the Braves picked you, were you starting to think about going to school, or were you always going to keep an open mind?

MB: I’ve always been open to both possibilities. I’ve been just weighing the pros and cons of them. Nothing was set in stone I think. Just an open mindset through it all. I think having an open mindset is the best mindset to have rather than being locked and set on one thing. Having an open mindset is what let me make the decision and helped me through the draft process.

TC: That’s all I had but we did have one more question- where should we send the fruit basket? (See inserted picture below)

MB: (Laughs)