Minor League writer David Conde was fortunate enough to get a chance to interview Chasen Bradford of the Binghamton Mets this past weekend.
Bradford, 24, had a solid season and between Advanced-A and Double-A combined, he appeared in 50 games – all in relief – and posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 2.99 FIP. In 69.0 innings, Bradford struck out 61 batters and walked 17.
Here is a portion of David’s interview with Chasen:
David – This playoff series had to be bittersweet for you, you pitched extremely well, but the team didn’t advance, what would you take away from your experience in the playoffs?
Chasen – I am not really a numbers guy and when people talk about how well I do I just say, I’m doing the best I can to get the job I have been given done. In the end it does not matter how I pitched because we did not reach the ultimate goal, but every time I go out there and step on the mound I have my job to do to keep the team in the ballgame no matter if we are up or down.
David – Looking back on the season, you were brought into a game on August 17th to close it out and you finished the inning 1-2-3, what was the feeling like for you to earn your first save of the season which also clinched a spot in the playoffs?
Chasen – You know it was really cool, now I know why everyone wants to be the closer. It was an adrenaline rush for sure and was one of the coolest things I have done in my career.
David – You came over in the middle of the season from St Lucie and pitched superbly in 20 games with the B-Mets, did you feel you pitched to your potential in those 20 games or do you feel you have more to prove? And what can you take away from this season that will help you to improve in your development as a pitcher?
Chasen – Well being a perfectionist there is always something I can get better at, haha, but no I had a great season and felt good all year. I am happy with what I was able to accomplish in St. Lucie and Binghamton. I think the biggest thing I learned this year is to simplify things and just go out there and enjoy what I get to do as a job, because you really can’t beat it right?
David – What importance do you put on winning in the minors? Do you feel that it truly prepares you for the next level?
Chasen – Winning is always important but obviously the job of the coaches is to develop us so that when we get the call we are ready for the next level. Every one of us wants to win, it is just how we are, Type A personalities that will do anything to get the job done. I don’t know if it prepared me for the next level because I haven’t been there yet, but it definitely is a good starting point and I am excited for the next step wherever it may be.
David – If you had a choice to select how you would like to be utilized out of the bullpen, what would be your preferences?
Chasen – I have been a set up guy my whole career with the Mets and that is one thing that I really enjoy to do. It would be cool to be a closer but you have to have someone to get you from 8 to 9, that’s the way I look at it at least.
David – You mentioned to our own Prince Rahman in his interview that you might be playing in winter ball and that is when the hard work begins, but after a tough loss like this, do you put any added pressure on yourself?
Chasen – I am going to be playing in the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions along with a couple other guys. There really is not any added pressure because no matter how hard I tried I could not control anything but what I did in the games I got a chance to pitch in. Obviously it sucks to not be playing for a championship but there is always next year. So all I can do right now is work on staying in shape and getting ready for the Fall League and after that things will fall into place.
* * * * * * * *
Read the full interview with Chasen Bradford on MetsMinors.net, and check out the rest of our comprehensive coverage of the Mets Minor League system, our prospects, and the 2014 Draft. You can follow Chasen on Twitter at cbBaseball29.
