Brian Walton
November 3, 2004
Interview with Cardinal Outfield Prospect Reid Gorecki
By Brian Walton
Playing this fall in the Arizona Fall League, outfielder Reid Gorecki continues to improve his standing as one of the better Cardinals position prospects. After being selected in the 13th round of the 2002 free-agent draft, former the University of Delaware standout wasted no time getting a hot start as a professional. While playing for the New Jersey Cardinals, gorecki established a New York-Penn League record 13 triples during that 2002 campaign.
After logging more than 20 stolen bases in each of his first three professional seasons, Gorecki was called up to Double-A Tennessee near the end of 2004. He also received an invitation to the Arizona Fall League. As AFL league rules limit each of the five major league teams to six players, Gorecki is a member of what is called the “Taxi Squad”. That means he can play just twice a week.
With the other fine players, especially outfielders, on the Mesa Solar Sox roster, this rotation suits Gorecki just fine. In fact, two of the top prospects in baseball, Tampa Bay Devil Rays speedster Joey Gathright and Delmon Young, the first pick overall in the 2003 draft, are among the other flycatchers on his Solar Sox squad, so Gorecki is using his precious playing time to his advantage.
Through his first twelve games, Gorecki is taking a back seat to no one, hitting a robust .378 with an on-base percentage of .462. He’s slammed three home runs while driving in 12 in just 45 at-bats. While he knows that hot streak may not last forever, the ever-confident Gorecki is genuinely glad to get the chance to improve his game under the Arizona sun.
When did you learn that you were going to get to come down here and play?
With probably about a month left in the season this summer, late July. I was told by my agent that there was a good chance to come down here. So, I was looking forward to it.
Was that before or after you were called up to Tennessee?
It was about a week or two before I got pulled up to Tennessee. I was told I had a good shot at coming here.
What did they tell you to work on while here?
They really wanted me to come down here and see what everybody else was made of. Check out my competition. See what they are doing and focus on doing it myself. Playing the small ball game, driving in runs and stealing bases.
How does being on the taxi squad affect your preparation?
I play Wednesdays and Saturdays and that’s pretty much it. The other four days of the week that I don’t play, I take my batting practice and my infield and do a little bit of shagging and that stuff. (Note: The AFL doesn’t play on Sundays.)
How important is speed to your game?
Scoring runs is the most important thing. They say “speed kills”, you know? It’s a very important part of the game. If you get on first base and can score on a double, as opposed to going from first to third on a double, now you know, we have second and third. It’s real nice to have that luxury, to have that little extra “git”.
What is your favorite position defensively and why?
I love centerfield. You get to control everybody out there and you get to be the center of the game. Centerfield is by far my most favorite, but the most action happens in right. So, if I can strengthen my arm a bit, one day I’d like to be a consistent right fielder, left fielder and centerfielder.
What’s your goal for this upcoming season? Where do you hope to play if everything goes your way in spring training?
Well, if everything goes my way, I’d like to get a shot at finishing maybe in Triple-A. Get a little taste of Triple-A. Every year, I’ve put up some pretty consistent numbers and you never know. If I do everything the way I’d like to, I’d like a shot at this thing – playing with the big boys up there.
Thank you for your time.
Sure thing.
