We're going big on Tyler Austin today but I have a gut feeling about him and his 2016 season. With the Greg Bird injury down at Scranton I can see Austin being slid into the everyday role at first base as long as he's healthy giving the former 40 man roster prospect a second chance much like Mason Williams and Slade Heathcott got in 2015. So with that in mind, and mixed with the fact that it's Thursday, I decided to go into the TGP archives and bring you an interview back from 2013 that I personally did with Mr. Austin. It's a bit outdated but enjoy it anyway, it's Throwback Thursday.
The Greedy Pinstripes: 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: I 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 I'm 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
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: Yes 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 don't know you battled cancer, so first off congrats on beating that, how was that whole experience?
TA: Thank you!! It was tough 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 okay 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 Justin Bebier haha
TA has not had trouble with his attitude nor his glove work. His problem has been his hitting, he is a very streaky hitter and needs more consistency.
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