Interview with top Padres prospect Mat Latos

Written by Steve Adler | 31 January 2010
Posted in Interviews - Interviews

Interview with Mat Latos

At the age of only 21 years old, with a baby face and a great smile Mat Latos is a guy that could blend in to the Pacific Beach scene without a second glance. Make no mistake at 6-6/225 Mat is the Padres version of a young rock star. With a fastball reaching the high alt

90’s and a fearless attitude on the mound, Mat is the most exciting pitcher in the Padres system since Jake Peavy.

Born in Alexandria, VA and growing up in Coconut Creek, FL (45 minutes outside of Miami, FL) Mat was selected in the 11^th round of the 2006 First year player draft out of Coconut Creek (FL) High School. Mat was one final draft and follow players, a program that allowed Major League teams to draft players out of high school, maintain draft rights and follow them while they attended and played at a community college, while still having the option to sign them before the next seasons draft. This program concluded in 2007.

When the Padres were able to sign Mat Latos, Grady Fuson, the club's vice president of scouting and player development, said in an interview with Bill Center of the Union Tribune,

“He regarded Latos as a first round pick.”

Being a major league pitcher is not just about throwing balls and strikes. Baseball is a mental game and mental toughness is needed. Tom Krasovic (now of cbssports.com) wrote,

“Immaturity issues are the blinking yellow light. They plagued him in high school, chasing at least one wealthy club in the 2007 draft and surfacing again last summer in disputes with Padres staffers. Latos is only 21. Maybe he becomes the next A.J. Burnett, a free-spirited Yankees millionaire of comparable stature and arm strength. Be sure that if he matures as hoped, he will surprise an evaluator or two.”

As Padres fans we cannot expect every player to handle themselves like Jake Peavy or Trevor Hoffman, especially at the age of 21. A.J. Burnett is a great example of how guys mature and grow in the majors and in 2009 it was widely publicized how Brunett was a great teammate and how he kept the Yankees club house loose. My point being, do not pass judgment on a young guy because of a couple things you read.

Before Mat signed with the Padres, the team flew him into Atlanta to see him throw. Upon meeting Trevor Hoffman Mat said, “Standing next to him, he feels about 7-foot, Hoffman came in and introduced himself. There was no introduction needed.” A young man with respect for the game and its great players such as Hoffman. Make no mistake, Mat is a sharp guy and he knows the sky is the limit. As one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the Padres system to come along since Andy Benes, we wanted to give the Friarhood community a chance to get to know Mat Latos.

Mat was gracious enough to grant Frairhood.com an interview this week and let Padres fans get to know the real Mat Latos better.

(Friarhood) Padres fans are very excited to see you at Petco this year.

· How crazy was your 2009 season, starting in A-Ball and finishing in the Majors?

(Mat Latos) The 2009 season was mind blowing for me. I came to spring training for big league camp and wasn’t even on the 40 man. Injured my ankle and actually started season in extended spring. To go from there to the bigs in almost 4 months is still a dream to me.

· (Friarhood) When the Padres shut you down at the end of August, what did they have you working on?

(Mat Latos) When I was shut down the padres wanted to fix a few mechanical issues and make a few tweaks here and there. Nothing major.

· (Friarhood) Is it exciting that the report date for pitchers and catchers is coming up? Or is Spring Training just something that you have to get through before the season starts?

(Mat Latos) I’m extremely excited for spring training. I miss the atmosphere and being around all of the young talent we have. Being around guys in the clubhouse that are like family, always learning and moving farther into my career.

· (Friarhood) Going into spring training do you feel that a spot in the Padres starting rotation is yours to lose?

(Mat Latos) Walking into spring training I feel like it is my spot to lose but so will every guy out there. I’m going to do what I can and stay healthy and try to give the team 110% and try and win ball games and get ready for opening day.

· (Friarhood) What baseball accomplishment are you most proud of at this point in your career?

(Mat Latos) Every step that I have taken so far in my career in the minors and in the bigs is a great accomplishment to me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Every day is a new experience to me and being a part of the San Diego family makes me look forward to my future with the padres!

· (Friarhood) As Padres fans bounce nicknames around for you, what are some of your favorite ones?

(Mat Latos) I’m really not to familiar with nicknames from the fans... but Hundley always calls me the kid so I guess that’s kinda the nickname I’m getting right now. It fits, I’m one of the youngest guys in the league and the youngest of my teammates.

Thank you to Mat Latos for taking the time out to give the Friarhood community a chance to get to know you moving into the 2010 season.

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These questions were compiled by Steve Adler and Jeff Creps

Quotes coutesy of:

http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070509/news_1s9padnotes.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/mar/02/Padres-defend-farm-system84656/

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/jan/03/padres-top-10-prospects/

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