''Around The Bases'' with Jake Arrieta
1/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 31, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas - Jake Arrieta transferred to TCU this fall after an outstanding freshman campaign at Weatherford Junior College. He has been drafted twice, most recently by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 26th round. He took some time to answer questions about the baseball team.
Q:What made you choose TCU this past summer after only one year of junior college?
A:"After one year in junior college, I realized that Division I is where I needed to be. After visiting the campus and facilities a couple of times, I knew there was no place better for me to be. I feel that I will progress as a player much faster here at TCU, rather than in junior college."
Q:What is your favorite aspect of TCU as a student?
A:"TCU has an extraordinary academic program. Not only are we ranked nationally in baseball, we are also acknowledged as one of the top schools in the nation. The coaching staff are all firm believers in doing your best in the classroom as well as on the field. Very few schools are like that."
Q:What do you like most about the TCU baseball program?
A: "It's hard to say what I like most. I would say that having our own designated trainer just for baseball is a huge advantage. Having our own trainer makes it easy for him to associate himself with each player. He is always available for the pitchers to meet with for stretching, arm treatments, or just about anything you can think of. Another thing I really like about the program here at TCU is having coaches that want to win."
Q:How is it working with Coach Schlossnagle as the pitching coach while also knowing he is the head coach?
A:"Working with Coach Schlossnagle has been great so far this year. He has been able to point out the strengths and weaknesses in my game, which makes him very easy to work with as a pitching coach. He takes the time to sit down with each pitcher individually to analyze their approach in depth. Most head coaches do not make the effort to do these things."
Q:What are you most looking forward to this season?
A:"The thing that I am most looking forward to this season is making history, by being the first team in TCU history to make it to the College World Series. This has been the main goal of our team since our first workout in August. There are many other little things that I am looking forward to on the way, but Omaha is where we want to be."
