Rocco Baldelli is the starting centerfielder for the Tampa Bay Devils. At 25 years old, he is one of the premiere young outfielders in the game of baseball today. He was a scholar-athlete at Bishop Hendricken High School in R.I., but chose to go into the Major League Draft after graduation.
Following the “Rocco Baldelli Baseball Clinic” at the RecPlex on Saturday, Mirror Sports sat down with Baldelli to discuss his professional career, his past athletic success and what it is like to play in the Major Leagues.
Mirror Sports: You were a tremendous high school athlete, excelling in a whole bunch of different sports. What made you choose baseball?
Rocco Baldelli: Actually, my sophomore year of high school, my dad made me play. I played a lot of basketball. I was playing A.A.U. basketball in the summer and my dad wanted me to play American Legion [baseball]. So I went in and I played and after that, I never really stopped.
MS: What was it like to be drafted 6th overall in the 2000 MLB draft?
RB: That was pretty exciting. That was a fun time – not knowing where you’re going to go … things like that. Once I signed with Tampa Bay, I was playing six days later.
MS: What is your favorite part of being a professional baseball player?
RB: Being at the field, actually. It sounds silly, but just going out there and playing – playing the game and having fun and just being part of a team. It’s not something that most people get to do throughout their whole lives. [Baseball] usually ends after high school or college … so it’s fun.
MS: If you were not a baseball player, what type of profession would you have liked to gone into?
RB: I have no idea. I was pretty into school. I was probably more into school than I was playing sports when I was in high school. I don’t really know what I’d be doing. I have absolutely no idea. I’d probably still be in school.
MS: As a young player who has had success coming up in a MLB organization, what advice can you give to young aspiring athletes like you once were?
RB: I’d just say play as much as you can. It’s the only way you’re ever going to get enough experience to play in the game, especially up in the northern state[s], playing up in New England. It’s not easy to play baseball at the highest level just because you don’t get enough practice. So I’d say get out there and just work as hard as you can, especially when you’re at your younger ages. That’s pretty much it – just put in your time.
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