Friday

SethSpeaks: First of all, congratulations on getting an official invite to Twins Spring Training in Ft. Myers! That had to be very exciting for you. What are you most looking forward to in training camp?

Tommy Watkins: To be around around the Major leaguers on a daily basis, to learn from them and being at home also.

SethSpeaks: What have you been doing in the off-season to prepare for the 2006 season?

Tommy Watkins: I have been working out everyday since the end of last season to be in the best possible shape for this coming season.

SethSpeaks: Do you set goals? If so, what are your goals for the upcoming season? Where do you plan on playing?

Tommy Watkins: My goal is to do the best that I can to help my team and teammates to win games. I hope to make the Rochester team.

SethSpeaks: Growing up in Ft. Myers, is it mandatory to say that Deion Sanders is your favorite athlete of all time?

Tommy Watkins: I wouldn't say of all time, but most definitely one of my favorite to watch.

SethSpeaks: Chris Brown told us a little about playing high school baseball in Florida. Growing up in Minnesota, where there is snow on the ground until mid-April, can you tells us a little about your high school baseball days?

Tommy Watkins: It's pretty much a baseball players dream to play in Florida, because you can play year round, the only thing we worry about here is the summer thunder storms.

SethSpeaks: Did you play other sports or keep busy with other activities?

Tommy Watkins: I played wide receiver on the football team.

SethSpeaks: What were your thoughts when the Twins drafted you in 1998, in the 38th round, out of high school? How much convincing did the Twins have to do to get your signed?

Tommy Watkins: I really didn't know much about the draft, but I was really excited that I was drafted. Because of my love for baseball, it didn't take much to sign me.

SethSpeaks: How would you describe yourself as a player? What are your tools?

Tommy Watkins: I am a player that leaves everything on the field, I have no problem doing whatever it takes to win a game. Bunt, sacrifice, pinch run, pinch hit, play any position to be the best team player on the field.

SethSpeaks: Looking at your career numbers, it appears that one of your best baseball skills is your on-base skills, your ability to draw walks without striking out very much. Is that part of your plan?

Tommy Watkins: I don't really look at stats. that much, but what I try to do is get on base anyway I can and lean to hit my pitch.

SethSpeaks: You have primarily played SS throughout your career. Which other positions do you feel comfortable with?

Tommy Watkins: I actually feel comfortable with all of them.

SethSpeaks: Entering your ninth year with the Twins, what is it that you most enjoy about the organization?

Tommy Watkins: They are a nice bunch of people to be around, and they bring you around slowly to get the most out of your ability.

SethSpeaks: I understand that you have helped your old high school baseball team as a coach this spring. I also know that you have a baseball camp in Ft. Myers for youth. Do you enjoy coaching, and is that something that you can see yourself doing after your pro baseball career comes to an end?

Tommy Watkins: Yes, definitely.

SethSpeaks: If you weren't a pro baseball player, what would you be doing now?

Tommy Watkins: It's really hard to say at this point.

SethSpeaks: When I asked Pat Neshek in a Q&A in November to describe you, he wrote "Team captain, funny guy, community guy, Could run for mayor of New Britain people love him wherever he goes.". How do you describe yourself as a teammate, and do you consider yourself a leader?

Tommy Watkins: I give my all for the team, on and off the field, trying to be a player that leads by example.

SethSpeaks: Last year, the Twins called up Luis Rodriguez who had spent eight seasons in the Twins system. They also called up Glenn Williams who was in his 12th minor league season, and Chris Heintz who had spent 11 seasons in the minor leagues. So... what is it going to be like for you when the Twins call you up, and you enter the major league locker room and get to put on the Twins uniform for a regular season game?

Tommy Watkins: That will be the most exciting thing that could happen to me or anyone else in my position, I will continue to give my all to one day reach my dream.

SethSpeaks: You also have your own website that is really nice. It is called Rising Stars. What made you decide to do a website? How much time do you spend on it, or responding to e-mails?

Tommy Watkins: My cousin is a computer programmer and he suggested and built it for me so that my family and friends could keep up with my progress. I really don't spend a lot of time on it other than responding to e-mails. My schedule don't really allow me much time on it since my cousin updates it for me.

SethSpeaks: Tell us a little about the man that you share the website with, Jason Allen.

Tommy Watkins: Actually it is Jason Allen my first cousin and brother of the creator of both of our websites, Jason just graduated from USF, and is now pursuing a career in the NFL.

SethSpeaks: I noticed that in recent months you changed the background music on your site from Jay-Z to Against All Odds by Phil Collins. Seems like a good choice of songs for you.

Tommy Watkins: It is actually me, and I don't know why it was changed.