Brian Walton
June 21, 2004
Interview with Jake Mullinax
2004 14th Round Pick Assigned to New Jersey
By Brian Walton
One of the 33 players on the New Jersey Cardinals roster and one of the 14 (and growing) number of them who are 2004 draftees, is Jacob (Jake) Mullinax. Just like most of the others, Mullinax has left a comfortable environment, where he was a star, the cream of the crop, and is coming into a very uncertain and challenging situation, where there are no sure things.
Mullinax is from a premier college program, the University of Nebraska, where he was an All-Big 12 performer and was second on his team in hits (68), batting average (.313), home runs (8) and total bases (109) this past season. He owns a school record with his .975 career fielding percentage. The righthanded second baseman is listed at 6’ 1”, 205 pounds. Mullinax celebrated his 22nd birthday just last week. He and his wife, Amber, are native Californians.
Jake was the Cardinals’ 14th round selection this year; the 420th selection overall. He was the fourth middle infielder selected by the Redbirds, after Jarrett Hoffpauir (6th), Matt Shepherd (8th) and Daniel Nelson (13th). Three more middle infielders were also drafted by the team after Mullinax. No guarantees.
Though the College World Series was getting underway in Omaha, Nebraska this past weekend, Mullinax’ Husker squad did not make the 2004 field. That was a disappointment for a team who made the CWS in 2002 and the regionals in 2003. As a result, instead of playing for all the collegiate marbles, Mullinax wasted no time in signing with the Cardinals. He was initially assigned to a strange place, Augusta, New Jersey, far away from Nebraska and even farther from home.
I caught up with Jake Mullinax just before his first ever start as a pro, on his third day with the team.
BW: Jake, you just signed your contract this week and quickly joined the team. Still, don’t you kind of wish you could be playing in Omaha right now?
JM: It has a bitter feeling not being in Omaha, but it’s great to be here and get a chance to play pro ball. It’s been a dream of mine and it’s an awesome feeling. But, it would be nice to be back in Omaha, playing with Nebraska.
BW: You were named All-Big 12, which is a great honor. How do you assess your senior season with the Huskers?
JM: It went pretty good for the most part. I was hitting the ball pretty well. Toward the end of the season, I went into a little slump there but for the most part, it was a good season. It didn’t turn out the way we wanted, with wins-wise, and making the regional. Most teams would be happy with 36 wins, but not us. There’s a lot of games we coulda’, shoulda’, woulda’. But, it just didn’t happen.
BW: How do you feel about the draft and being selected by the St. Louis Cardinals?
JM: It was awesome to get drafted by the Cardinals, especially in the round that I did. Being a senior, I didn’t think I was going to go then. I thought maybe I was going to go the second day. It was awesome. It’s a good organization, so I am pretty excited to get things going.
BW: You signed very quickly after the draft. Was that your plan all along?
JM: Yeah, it kinda was. Just get out here, get ready and start playing. The longer I sat out, it would be harder for me to get in and start playing.
BW: I know you played second base in college, but I saw you taking grounders at third today. What are their plans for you?
JM: He (New Jersey Manager Tommy Shields) kind of told me that I’d play a little second, a little third and see what fits. “We’ll go from there” is what he told me. That’s what I’ve got, so I’m going to do my best. It opens the door for me to another position, so I’m going to do my best and see what happens.
BW: What is your approach when going up to the plate?
JM: I just want to hit the ball hard. Hit a line drive on every at-bat. That’s what I want when I go up there – try to get on base and hit the ball hard. (Note: In his first start, Mullinax was busy, if not spectacular. He was hit by a pitch, had a ground out, hit a run-scoring fielder’s choice and was caught trying to steal. His team won, 3-1.)
BW: You’ve just moved to the East Coast and have begun the life of a baseball gypsy. How has your wife adjusted to this?
JM: She’s back at home in California, living with her Mom right now. She’s also six months pregnant. So, when we get done with ball here, it’ll be about two weeks before the baby is due. I’m pretty excited about that. She’s been very supportive; dropped all her plans for schooling and stuff and moved with me to Nebraska and worked full time. I wish she was here and she wishes she was here. But, maybe next year, she’ll get to come out with us.
BW: Like many of the other players, are you living with a host family to help ease the transition?
JM: Yes, I am living with a host family here. Nice people. It’s awesome.
BW: Have you set any goals for your first professional season?
JM: I would like to hit .280 plus. That’s good, especially for the first season in pro ball. So, that’s the goal there. And, defensively, I just want to make the routine plays and anything after that would be nice.
BW: Thanks and best of luck in your professional career and with that new baby.
JM: Thank you. I appreciate it.
In closing, here are MLB.com’s closing comments about Jake Mullinax: “…Hoping for an opportunity. No overwhelming skills. Just competes with good baseball habits.” Jake, from one Husker to another, I am pulling for you.
