If you saw Scott Moviel on the street, you'd probably think, is he an
NBA player? At just 18, Moviel stands at 6-foot-11. The Mets selected
Moviel, a right handed pitcher in the second round of the 2007 First
Year Player Draft(number 77 overall). Moviel had already committed to
North Carolina State University to play baseball, but opted to sign
with the Mets instead. In his brief stint in the minors, pitching for
the Gulf Coast League Mets,
Moviel had an 0-2 record with a 3.38 ERA. He threw 40 innings, allowing 45 hits, 23 runs, although only 15 were earned. He also struck out 37 batters while walking only 11. I had the opportunity to ask the big right hander a few questions for my latest edition of Spring Q+A.
JD: How was the draft experience for you? Where were you, and what were you doing when you were drafted?
SM: The draft experience was very fun for my family and I. I was at my house in Cleveland , Ohio with close friends and family. We watched the draft, cooked out, and waited for a phone call by my agent and/or an organization. When I was drafted I was in my parent¢s bedroom talking over the draft with my parents.
JD: The Mets drafted you 77th overall, and it was widely known that you had a full scholarship to go play baseball for North Carolina State University . What made you choose pro ball over college?
SM: What made me sign pro over college was knowing that I had the opportunity at a young age to achieve what I¢ve always dreamed of(playing in the MLB). And the fact that if baseball didn¢t work out for me, I have college paid for by the Mets, so I can always go back to school.
JD: I imagine being drafted where you were, there was probably a wide amount of interest in the league. Did you know the Mets were interested? Any other teams?
SM: I was contacted by every team besides Toronto (Blue Jays) and the Mets. I also had a lot of home visits from teams. The Mets came to my very last game of my high school season in late May. I honestly thought I was going to be drafted by the Yankees or the St. Louis Cardinals. But out of nowhere the Mets came through and made my day.
JD: You pitched last year in the Gulf Coast League and posted a 3.38 ERA in 40 innings. But outside of the stats, explain to the typical fan who may not know much about you what kind of pitcher you are. What pitches do you throw? And roughly the velocity on them? And what¢s your favorite pitch?
SM: I am a starting pitcher, and I consider myself to be very aggressive on the mound. I throw a 4 seam fastball at 91-94 miles per hour, a 2 seam fastball at 90-92, a changeup at 85-87, and a curve at 68-70. My best pitch is my fastball, but my put away pitch is the curve.
JD: Give an overall perspective of how your first summer as a pro ballplayer was? Who did you find yourself hanging out with the most from the team ?
SM: My overall perspective of my first summer as being pro is that the game of baseball as a pitcher isn¢t all about just balls and strikes. There is a lot of mental aspects of the game, and you should never stop asking questions. Learn from everyone. I found myself hanging out with Dick Sparks a lot, fishing and talking about baseball.
Scott is expected to start the 2008 season in full season ball with the Savannah Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League. I¢d like to thank Scott for taking time to answer some questions, and he has to be an exciting prospect to watch if you¢re a Met fan. With his frame, and he likely will still be growing into his frame, not necessarily height, but just body size should grow in a bit more, he has a chance for increased velocity, and the shot to be a good major league starting pitcher. Look out for my next Spring Q+A next week here at GothamBaseballMagazine.com.
If you saw Scott Moviel on the street, you'd probably think, is he an
NBA player? At just 18, Moviel stands at 6-foot-11. The Mets selected
Moviel, a right handed pitcher in the second round of the 2007 First
Year Player Draft(number 77 overall). Moviel had already committed to
North Carolina State University to play baseball, but opted to sign
with the Mets instead. In his brief stint in the minors, pitching for
the Gulf Coast League Mets,
Moviel had an 0-2 record with a 3.38 ERA. He threw 40 innings, allowing 45 hits, 23 runs, although only 15 were earned. He also struck out 37 batters while walking only 11. I had the opportunity to ask the big right hander a few questions for my latest edition of Spring Q+A. 