Conversation with Brett Wallace

Today I got the chance to catch up with former ASU star third baseman Brett Wallace and talk to him about all things baseball. In 28 games with the Quad City River Bandits of the Class A Midwest League Wallace is doing what Wallace does-pound the baseball. He is hitting .346 with 5 homeruns and 21 RBIs while slugging .577.

Pitchfork Nation: You have been racking the baseball, especially the last week. How do you feel about the way your playing right now?

Brett Wallace: Pretty good. It's been an adjustment, playing everyday has helped. Early on there were adjustments to be made, but right now I feel really good about how I'm playing.

PN: What's the biggest difference you have experienced between playing in college and playing pro ball?

BW: Just playing everday. At school we'd play 3 to 5 times a week where here we are playing 15 to 16 days in a row before getting a day off. So just coming to the yard everyday is the biggest difference.

PN: At ASU every game was big and the team was always expected to win. Is there an adjustment to an atmosphere where winning isn't as big of a focus?

BW: Yeah, at ASU we were trying to win a College World Series every year so every game is so big. You build a bond with your teammates and it's hard now not to be playing with your best friends everyday. At this level it's a lot more about development so that's an adjustment.

PN: Is there pressure playing where you are knowing that you are often playing to move up in the ranks?

BW: Well it was the same way in college when the draft was coming up, where the way you played could affect where you go in the draft, but coach (Pat) Murphy always told us if you keep playing hard things will take care of themselves so that's what I try to do.

PN: You got the opportunity to go to New York City for the Golden Spikes Award Ceremony and got to take in the All-Star game, what was that experience like?

BW: It was awesome. I had never even been to New York before so it was great being there especially with those great players like Buster Posey and those guys. Coach Murphy also came out and it was great to see him because I hadn't seen him since I signed.

PN: Have you set yourself a timeline of getting into the Majors?

BW: You know I think a lot of guys have dreams of getting to the Big Leagues in a year or two after getting drafted but the biggest thing I can do is just play hard and go out there and show people what I can do. When you are trying to put up big numbers and get to that next level I think that's where you run into trouble.

PN: What do you miss most about playing at ASU?

BW: It is just like a big family. The coaches and players there are people I've played with for three years. It's something I'll always remember. I'll always be a Sun Devil.