Where Are They Now? Brandon Waring Q & A
Posted on 01. Jul, 2009 by Corey in All, Dayton Dragons Baseball, General Baseball.
Brandon Waring was a seventh round selection by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2007 First Year Player Draft. Waring had just finished second in the nation in home runs playing for Wofford College. He was assigned that season to the Billings Mustangs, before a brief call-up at the end of the season with the Dayton Dragons. Waring would spend the entire 2008 campaign with the Dragons, and battled a series of injuries finishing with 20 homers in 119 games. Following the 2008 season, Waring along with former Dragon Justin Turner and major leaguer Ryan Freel were traded to the Baltimore Orioles for catcher Ramon Hernandez. Waring was so kind to recently sit down with me to answer some questions. Waring is the in mist of a terrific season with the Frederick Keys, High-A for the Orioles and was recently named to the Carolina League All-Star Team.
Corey Brinn: After spending your first two professional seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, you were traded in the offseason to the Baltimore Orioles organization. How did you find out about the trade?
Brandon Waring: Terry Reynolds (Cincinnati Reds Farm Director) called me that evening and had a brief conversation with me. He told me I had been traded and that Baltimore should be contacting me soon. Then he thanked me for all of my hard work and wished me luck.
CB: Were you surprised?
BW: I had no idea it was coming, but I always knew we all weren’t going to make it to the big leagues with the Reds.
CB: You played both third base and first base in your career. Do you have a preference?
BW: I really don’t care anymore as to where I play. I feel comfortable at both corner positions. Last year (2008) I played well at third the entire season. This year I’ve been playing mostly first base. I’ve learned a lot, so I feel like I can hold my own at either position.
CB: You had a chance to play against friends and former Cincinnati teammates in Spring Training. What were your thoughts when you took the field and looked across the diamond at the players in Cincinnati jerseys?
BW: The first time we played the Reds in Spring Training, I felt like I was in the wrong dugout. I made some good friends the past two summers with the Reds. I don’t think it hit me until then that I was part of another organization.
CB: Do you still talk to and closely follow your old teammates and teams?
BW: I try to check up on the Reds teams a couple times a week to see how everyone is doing. I have kept in touch with Kahaulelio, (Brandon) Menchaca, (Kevyn) Feiner and (Matt) Klinker the most.
CB: You had a chance to play for the Dragons in 2008. What did you like most about your time in Dayton?
BW: Dayton was a great place to play. You can’t ask for much more out of a minor league ballpark. We would have 8,000 fans every single night, and they were great. Plus, the stadium and playing surfaces were top notch.
CB: Looking forward, what are your goals for this season?
BW: I don’t set number goals for myself going into a season. This year, I want to concentrate more on my mental approach to the game. Sometimes last year I would let myself get down and not focus every pitch of every at bat. I want to stay relaxed and let my abilities take over. In the past I feel like I’ve put too much pressure on myself to make things happen.
CB: Where do you want to see yourself in five seasons?
BW: Five seasons from now I see myself no where else than in the big leagues. I don’t know which team it will be with, but I know I have the ability to play there. It’s all about learning from each at bat, each game, and then using those experiences to become more consistent.
