Cole Tyrell was a four-year baseball star at the University of Dayton and was selected in the 42nd round of the June 2009 first-year player draft by the San Diego Padres.
The former Flyers infielder concluded his senior season with 182 consecutive starts, second-most in the nation, and has played many different positions in his first stint of professional baseball after signing shortly after the draft.
He currently is playing with the short-season Class A Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League and his season concludes Sunday, Sept. 5.
Flyer News: What are you feeling now, and did you ever expect to be drafted by a team like San Diego?
Cole Tyrell: Yeah, like a week or so before the draft, I had had a tryout with them in Mason, Ohio. So I kind of had a feeling I might get picked up by them, and I wasn’t 100 percent sure about anything, so it’s still somewhat of a surprise.
FN: What have your thoughts been on your first almost three months of professional baseball?
CT: It’s just a lot different, and it is a completely different game than the college game. The attitude’s a lot different, the preparation’s a lot different, and the lifestyle and the travel and everything is just a lot more focused. You have to be a lot more self-reliant than you would have to be in college.
FN: You moved from the rookie-level Arizona League to the short-season Northwest league in early July. Was there a big transition there from league to league with this promotion?
CT: Yeah, the talent level’s not too much different, but the schedule and the routine are a lot different. Down in rookie ball, you play in the minor league stadiums, so there are not any fans, and it is a lot more laid back and instructional in nature. Up here, attendance is usually between 3,000 and 6,000 a night, so it is a lot different atmosphere to play in.
FN: You do seem to be hitting better in the last few games at least. Do you think you are starting to fit in a little better?
CT: Yeah, I think the last week or so, I have seen some more regular playing time, whereas before I was playing once every six or seven days, and now I am playing at least a couple times a week. So I think getting into more of a routine at the plate and not having to go up there without seeing live pitching for a week has been a big advantage.
FN: The season ends within the next two weeks. What are your plans for the upcoming off-season?
CT: I’m actually coming back to UD, and I have one class left in order to graduate in December. So I’m going to come back, take that one class and get out of there in December with my degree.