The K Zone

January 7th 2017

Updated on December 9th 2017

Shane Sawczak

Interviewed By Mike Duffy

Mike Duffy: How did you get a better control on the ball to get your era down?

Shane Sawczak: I learned how to locate my fastball. Throwing it on both sides of the plate and getting ahead of the hitters. First pitch strikes are key.

Mike Duffy: Hardest thing about pitching?

Shane Sawczak: The hardest thing about pitching is knowing you will get hit and give up runs but you gotta move past it and keep pitching.

Mike Duffy: Best thing about pitching?

Shane Sawczak: The best thing about pitching is knowing that you are on the mound pitching for your team, then trusting you and you having their backs. Also striking someone out or in my case picking them off at first base (that’s my specialty).

Mike Duffy: What are your favorite things to do during the off-season?

Shane Sawczak: My favorite thing about off-season and relaxing with friends and family. Learning about myself and looking forward to next season. Working out everyday to get bigger and stronger!

Mike Duffy: Role model?

Shane Sawczak: My role model is my mom. She’s strong and helps me out with everything. Teaches me about training and eating the correct food.

Mike Duffy: Favorite thing about being a Marlin?

Shane Sawczak: The best thing about being a marlin has to be the location. I also live in south Florida and that’s where they are based. I grew up going to the games and cheering them on.

Mike Duffy: Do you have a motto?

Shane Sawczak: I have several mottos

Your very best (YVB)
Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves
Always stay saucey (lmao)

Mike Duffy: I was wondering when you go from high school to the minor leagues, what was the biggest challenge when you reach each stage?

Shane Sawczak: With each stage, every player gets smarter and smarter. The hitters don’t help you out at all. You have to be mentally focused and prepare yourself for every single game.

Mike Duffy: Goals for this offseason?

Shane Sawczak: My goals for this offseason are just staying healthy, improving in the weight room and improving my weaknesses. I need to learn how to locate my off-speed better. Improve better spin on my curveball and throw it for a strike and for a strike out pitch. Then simple improve mechanics and the small things.

Mike Duffy: What is your favorite Tv show?

Shane Sawczak: For my favorite Tv show, I’ve always been of fan of watching “friends”. My mom always watched it when I️ was a baby and I️ just never got over it. I️m also a fan “diesel brothers”

Mike Duffy: When did you know you wanted to play professional baseball?

Shane Sawczak: Around high school I️ realized I️ had a chance to play professional. I️ was just always the smallest pitcher on the team. And then my freshmen year of college I️ filled out and I️ really knew I️ was capable of playing pro ball.

Mike Duffy: What is your favorite baseball memory?

Shane Sawczak: My favorite baseball memory was when I️ was 8 and we were in the AAU national championship. We won a big gold ring that was customized to our liking. I️ still remember the game we won and I️ caught the winning out of the game.

Mike Duffy: Who is your favorite Musician and song?

Shane Sawczak: I️ve always been a fan of country music. I️ like Kenny Cheney, Thomas Rhett, Alan Jackson. Any kind of island music I️m into.