Atlanta Braves pitching prospects Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard sat down with me yesterday in Mississippi for an exclusive interview on a variety of topics.
Last season was truly a great year for both Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard. Both were selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2015 Draft, they both started in Single-A Rome.
Soroka was able to stay in Rome for the whole season, while Allard got his start in the summer after an extended spring training due to some back issues.
Soroka and Allard were both key pieces in Rome’s championship season, which played a big factor in them receiving the call to start this season in Double-A Mississippi. They both sat down with me yesterday after a Mississippi Braves game and answered some of my questions.
Winning
the Braves have put together more of a winning culture per se than another organization might in a minor league system
Thanks for taking some time with me. Let me get right to it. Both of you guys had a great opportunity last year in Rome, champions.
Let’s start with you, Mike. What did it mean to you to be a part of that?
MS: When first coming into pro ball, you get the sense that it is really not important to win games. It is more developmental based.
Sometimes some things happen in baseball where the outcome is not necessarily how you played but getting to Rome and then quickly realizing that winning was, I mean, A) it’s more fun and B) everybody is happier when everybody is winning. You kind of start to see what it does for the team and the group and the town.
I played through the second half. We come out, we are firing on all cylinders, and you know, being on a winning team like that it is pretty special.
Is it a little bit different I guess? I mean you might have prepared just to go out there and develop. Was it different getting the opportunity to pitch in a playoff series?
MS: Yes, definitely. I mean anytime during the year, once you realize that you are playing for the guys that are sitting next to you and the coaches, Mr. Randy (Ingle) as well and Mike Dunn who does not get mentioned enough.
Once you realize that you are playing for them and it means a lot to them, I think that goes into it as well.