Exclusive Interview W/ Tyler Austin

If some of you guys missed it a few weeks back we interviewed Tyler Austin's mother, Kim Austin, and apparently hit it off well because we used her as a contact to get an interview with her son Tyler. As you all know, or should know, Tyler is the latest Yankees super prospect that is just simply tearing up the minor leagues with the Charleston Riverdogs. We asked him everything from questions about his childhood, a battle with cancer, his minor league baseball life, and when he plans on hitting some of those bombs in Yankees Stadium. Enjoy the read!

TheGreedyPinstripes: Was your dream as a child always to be a baseball player? If not then what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Tyler Austin : Yes sir I've always wanted to be a pro ball player.  

TGP: What team did you root for growing up as a kid?

TA: Yankees  

TGP: Favorite player(s) growing up?

TA: Derek Jeter and Andrew Jones 

TGP: Your biggest inspiration when it came to baseball? 

TA: Was  inspired from people telling me I couldn't do it my whole life. And I don't take no for answer so when people would say that it drove me even more to make my dreams come true.  

TGP: Did you have a preference to what team you wanted to sign with?  

TA: No sir I didn't really care where I went. But it made it even sweeter cause it was with the Yankees who have always been my favorite team.  

TGP: What a lot of people did not know, including myself , was that you were a center fielder as a young player. Did you always want to be an outfielder for the Yankees? 

TA: I didn't really care where they put me. No matter where it is I'm gonna go out each and every day and give it everything I have.  

TGP: Whose idea/call was it to make you a corner infielder rather then an outfielder? 

TA: I'm not sure whose idea it was. 

TGP: How hard is it being away from your significant other while on the road and such? 

TA: It's really hard being away from my family and girlfriend. But I talk to them every night and just thankful I have them in my life and supporting me through my good times and bad.  

TGP: Favorite moment as a Yankees prospect? 

TA: Winning the new York penn league championship last season   

TGP: Who was the best prospect in the Yankees system that you ever played with? 

TA: Mason Williams  

TGP: Do you keep in touch with any other current or former Yankees prospects or coaches? 

TA: Yeas sir I do  

TGP: Hardest part of being a prospect? 

TA: nothing is really hard about it. I still have to go out there and play each and every game the right way no matter if I am a prospect or I'm not. 

 TGP: A lot of people dont know you battled cancer, so first off congrats on beating that, how was that whole experience?

TA: Thank you!! It was tuff going through that I was only 18 years old and didn't really know how to handle something like that at such a young age. But I just kept faith in the lord and new everything would be ok if I kept the faith in him.  

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone? 

TA: Justin Maxwell  

TGP: Most embarrassing song/artist in your ipod?

TA: Baby by just Bebier haha 

I want to thank Mr. Austin for taking the time out for a lowly blogger and huge fan. I was like a kid in a candy store typing up the questions to send him and typing this interview out. I was like an anxious kid who could not wait to go to the toy store this weekend while waiting for him to fill it out. It was well worth the wait! Thank you again Mr. Austin and thank you to Tyler's Mom, Mrs. Kim Austin, for being such a kind and giving person (well and for having Tyler lol).