SethSpeaks:
Growing up in Texas, who was your favorite team, and who were
some of your favorite players to watch?
Jeff Manship:
I never really had a specific team that I would always
follow when I was young. The Astros were the closest team to
San Antonio so I followed them the most. I also enjoyed
watching the Mariners with Ken Griffey, Alex Rodriguez, Jay
Buhner, Randy Johnson, and Edgar Martinez. Nolan Ryan was
always an impressive pitcher to watch.
SethSpeaks:
Tell us a little about your high school career,
playing baseball in Texas and some memories.
Jeff Manship:
Playing baseball in Texas was always great because of the
weather. It was rarely too cold to play and our season always
started in January. Some of my most memorable experiences came
when I was a junior and senior in high school playing in the
regional championships. When I was a junior I lost 1-0 on a
no-hitter. We again lost 1-0 when I was a senior because I made
the game-losing error by over throwing first base on a routine
sacrifice bunt.
SethSpeaks:
You were drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 50th
round in 2003. Did you have any thoughts about signing at that time?
Jeff Manship:
I
was pretty set on going to Notre Dame so once the draft was over
and I was selected in the 50th round, my decision to
attend school was very easy.
SethSpeaks:
You went to Notre Dame. What was that experience
like?
Jeff Manship:
Notre Dame was a great experience. I learned a great deal in
the classroom and about baseball. The football games were an
amazing portion of my college experience. I am very happy that
I decided to go to college instead of signing pro out of high
school.
SethSpeaks:
I'm sure it's not a fun topic to discuss, but you
had Tommy John surgery in college. What was it that told you that it
needed to be done (type of pain? elbow? etc.)
Jeff Manship:
I
first felt that something was wrong while playing with Team USA
after my senior year in high school. I threw a fastball and
immediately felt my entire elbow and most of my forearm tighten
up. I never heard the infamous “pop” of my ligament tearing so
I did not believe any serious damage had occurred. I ended up
having Tommy John surgery in February of my freshman year.
SethSpeaks:
Last
fall, Francisco Liriano had Tommy John surgery. If he were to ask your
advice on rehabbing and timetables, what would you tell him?
Jeff Manship:
I
would advise him to consistently follow the rehab program. You
cannot afford to stray away from it no matter how monotonous it
may seem. Always have a good attitude and believe that you will
heal 100%. For me it was nice knowing that there was a chance I
could return even better than before the surgery. It provided
me with extra motivation. In addition, I would tell him that
not everybody recovers at the same rate. My recovery took about
a year and a half until I felt completely healthy. Although it
is painful, you have to fight through it.
SethSpeaks:
And then the Twins drafted you last summer in the 14th round.
Had you talked to Twins' scouts much, and where were you expecting
to be drafted?
Jeff Manship:
I
actually did not talk to the Twins scouts much. I knew that
they had come watch me play but we did not have many
interactions before the draft. I did have expectations of being
drafted and I am very happy that it became a reality.
SethSpeaks:
I want to say that I heard there was a question
as to whether you would sign or stay at Notre Dame. How difficult was
your decision to sign with the Twins? What were some of the determining
factors?
Jeff Manship:
The decision to sign was not tough at all. I had strong
intentions of signing a professional contract after my junior
season at Notre Dame. The Twins are a great organization so I
knew I would be in good hands if I signed. It was also very
important that the team I signed with recognize my desire to
complete my degree.
SethSpeaks:
Do you intend to finish college? If you weren't
playing pro baseball,
what would your career of choice be?
Jeff Manship:
I
definitely intend to finish college. I realize the value of a
Notre Dame degree and I do not want to waste the opportunity. I
have only one semester remaining so completing my degree should
not be a tough task to accomplish. I honestly do not know what
my career choice would be outside of baseball at this point. I
decided to major in economics because I was aware of the vast
amount of job opportunities it could present in the future.
SethSpeaks:
Who were some of the coaches or people that have
helped you get to this point in your career?
Jeff Manship:
My
pitching coach in high school and former professional pitcher,
Ben Van Ryan, was a very influential coach in my life. My
brother, Matt, was very important. He has served as a role
model throughout my life and continues to be a person that I
greatly admire. My dad is the most important person that has
helped me get to where I am now. He taught me to play baseball
and how to pitch.
SethSpeaks: How
would you describe yourself as a pitcher. What are your strengths,
and what areas would you say you most have to improve upon?
Jeff Manship:
My
greatest strength has always been my breaking pitches. I feel
that I have a good fastball that I continue to work with and
improve. I also need to refine my change-up along with
controlling the running game.
SethSpeaks:
What pitches do you throw, and what would you say
is your "out" pitch?
Jeff Manship:
I
throw a two and four seam fastball, curveball, slider, and
change-up. My out pitch is the curveball.
Jeff Manship
signed with the Twins after they selected him in the 14th round of the
2006 draft out of Notre Dame. It is likely that part of the
reason that he fell to the 14th round was because he had Tommy John
surgery before his first year of college. There were also rumors that he
may not want to sign. However, Baseball America rated him as the 75th
best prospect in college (while Jeff Samardzija rated #95... and
got a $10 million guaranteed big league contract to keep him from being
a First-Round pick in the NFL draft), so that Twins may have got a steal
in the 14th round. (If you would like, you can
check out his career numbers here.)