SethSpeaks:
Growing up in Indiana, who was your favorite team, and who were some of
your favorite players growing up?
Kyle Geiger:
My favorite team growing up was actually the Twins. My
family lived in Minnesota for about five years when I was young,
so my older brother and I loved the Twins. We loved Kirby
Puckett, of course, and others like Dan Gladden and Kent Hrbek.
But I was also liked Jose Canseco, Albert Belle, and Benito
Santiago.
SethSpeaks:
Tell us a little about your high school career.
Did you play other positions? Did you participate in other sports or
activities?
Kyle Geiger:
In high school, my junior year, I played some outfield
and DHed a little, but didn't really catch full time until my
senior year. My senior year, the last home game of the season,
I played every position in 1 game. My coach always wanted to do
that, but never had that versatile of a player to do it with, so
he started me pitching that game, and then I moved all around
the diamond in the order of positions every inning. And since
we only played 7 innings in H.S., I played the outfield in the
last inning and just moved to the three outfield positions for
every out(1 our for left, center, and right).
I also wrestled for 1 year, and played football all 4 years.
SethSpeaks:
The Twins took you in the 42nd round in 2002. Had
you talked to the Twins' scouts much, and where were you expecting
to be drafted?
Kyle Geiger:
I had talked to my scout, Billy Milos, a lot during my
freshman year while at my junior college, and he had also talked
a lot with my coach, and at the end of that year he told me he
was going to put me in the draft. I was out in Waterloo, IA,
playing in a summer collegiate league, when the draft took
place, and knew it was going on but wasn't paying too much
attention to it. Then the neighbor, of the host family I was
staying at, called over and she had seen it and told me that I
got drafted by the Twins and told me everything else that was
going on. So then about 10 min. later I had gotten numerous
phone calls from my sister, mom, other family members, and
friends who had heard the news. So that's how I found out and
then Billy had called me right after and told me the good news.
So needless to say, I wasn't expecting it all to happen so
quick, when it did.
SethSpeaks:
You went to Rend Lake College for a year and then
signed as a draft-and-follow in 2003. Was that your plan all along, or
is that what the Twins asked you to do?
Kyle Geiger:
Well obviously my parents and my older brother and sister
who played sports in high school, and my brother played baseball
at Indiana University. They were great role models to look up to
and try to compete in athletics just as well as they did. I
wanted to have a better high school career than they did, so I
was determined to do as well as them.
Also the coaches who have helped me get to where I am. High
school coaches, and college coaches. And also the Twins staff
has been great the 4 years I have been with the Twins. They have
always been coaching and encouraging. I have enjoyed working
with every one of them.
SethSpeaks:
How would you describe yourself as a player. What
are your strengths, and what areas would you say you most have to
improve upon?
Kyle Geiger:
Well I think I have learned so much in the last 4 years,
just from being in professional baseball. And I think all I can
do is keep soaking in the information and learning as much as I
can as I move up and go along. Being a catcher, you need to be
strong defensively and work well with your pitchers. So I just
need to keep working with the pitchers and know their styles and
pitches. And offensively you can always make yourself better,
and I just need to keep improving on my swing and offensive
game.
SethSpeaks:
What was the adjustment to pro baseball like for you? I would
think that adjustment to wood bats would be a big thing? Anything
else?
Kyle Geiger:
Well playing in a summer collegiate wooden bat league
helped out a lot. That was the first time I had actually played
with wooden bats and I think I learned a lot just from that.
The adjustment to pro baseball wasn't to bad to start with. But
you can definitely tell a difference as you move up. Obviously
the play gets better, but faster too and just have to learn to
play with everyone else.
SethSpeaks:
What are some of your overall thoughts on the
Twins organization?
Kyle Geiger:
The Twins do a great job promoting with in, and that's
all you can ask for is a shot.
SethSpeaks:
What is the best part, so far, about a career in
baseball?
Kyle Geiger:
The best part for me so far is meeting and becoming
friends with such great players as well as great people. As
also being a part of the AAA playoff run at the end of this year.
(Seth Note - This is a picture that
Kyle sent me of his first AAA at bat)
SethSpeaks:
What is the most difficult part of life in
baseball?
Kyle Geiger:
I think the most difficult part is the long, grinding
season. It takes a toll on your body and drains you mentally.
SethSpeaks:
Favorite baseball movie?
Kyle Geiger:
Field of Dreams
SethSpeaks:
You split the season between Ft. Myers and New
Britain? What are some of the differences between the Florida State
League and the Eastern League?
Kyle Geiger:
Definitely the weather. And also you see a lot of older
guys in the Eastern League than in the Florida State League.
Good
morning! I am very happy and excited to bring you yet another Q&A of a
Twins minor league prospect. Kyle Geiger was the Twins 42nd round
draft choice in 2002 out of Rend Lake College. He signed the next spring
after the baseball season. He has now spent four seasons in the Twins
system. The 24 year old catcher split the 2006 season between Ft. Myers
and New Britain. After hitting .248/.299/.305. He then got into 31 games
for the Rockcats. At the end of the season, after Shawn Wooten
left the Rochester team, Geiger was promoted to AAA to play for the Red
Wings. As we all know, the Twins and their fans would like to believe
that Joe Mauer will be their starting catcher for the next decade
or longer. However, Mike Redmond's contract runs through the 2008
season. The Twins will need a backup catcher AND someone that they can
give every day duties in the unfortunate case of a Mauer injury. Is
Kyle Geiger a possibility? I would say he absolutely is, but it is a
positive thing that he can get two more years to continue to improve and
be more ready. 
SethSpeaks