I sat down with potential first round draft pick Aych Imtiyaz to get his thoughts on MLR, his future in the league, and his thoughts on the Paper Cup.

Me: How long have you been a fan of the MLR?

Aych: I’ve grown up around baseball. When I was 2 my dad used me to catch a home run. When that baseball hit me and left an imprint. Damn. That’s when I knew I would always make it to the Show. As soon as I could run and hold a bat I joined t-ball team and the rest is history.

Me: As you know the draft is a little over 24 hours away and the pool of contact/ righty 2B is deep. What separated you from the rest of the guys?

Aych: You can ask my teammates who works the hardest. Even though it’s a massive cliché, all I do is baseball. I sleep, eat, and drink baseball. I wake up in the morning, do yoga, quick breakfast, hit the gym then out to the cages. I am in the dugout hyping everyone up. I have been talking to veterans in the league and getting tips on how to scout for my future team. I want fans and my team to adore me and to be hated by the opposition.

Me: What kind of experience do you have with scouting prior to declaring for the MLR?

Aych: The only real experience I’ve had is when I was growing up, keeping detailed notebooks on all the pitchers the Dodgers were going to face the year.

Me: In the current game, you are 1-4 with a run scored. How much of that is reflective of your ability?

Aych: I haven’t seen live pitching for a few months and these guys are good. I couldn’t find any info on these dudes before we faced them as they’re from completely different places to me.

Me: You are in the lead off position in the game which is a hard position to be in, in the MLR. Is that where you prefer to be in the lineup?

Aych: Not at all, I know that I have lightning quick feet and my first step out the box is one ot the best that these GMs have ever seen but I love to hit 3rd through 5th. The idea of driving my teammates home is very satisfying to me and I feel like I’m at my best in those situations. I am not here for personal glory I want 10 Paper Cup rings when I retire. Not Necessarily 10 MVP trophies.

Me: Which player in your showcase game has been the most impressive to you?

Aych: I just want to shout out the Goldies. Our outfielders are nasty hitting the ball hard Scotty, Nominus, and peppers. George helps us out with the patterns he has seen.

Me: What guys currently in the MLR do you look up to?

Aych: CF from the Twins. He is a gym rat. SS for the Blue Jays, is a hard-working guy. 2B for the Nats, His head is like a computer. Gare Doctor is an absolute terrifying leader.

Me: Hmm no A’s Players, same. Just a couple more questions for you. What is your prediction for the Paper Cup for season 1?

Aych: The Paper Cup looks like an awesome matchup right now. No specific predictions though.

Me: Last question where do you think you will go in the draft and do you have anything you want to say to the GMs across the league?

Aych: I can see myself going anywhere. I hope from the Devil Rays and onwards and not falling out the 1st round. I want to tell the GMs that I won’t just be another player. I will be the leader and the glue of the clubhouse. The passionate speech giver and the role model for players younger and older than me. Anything less than a Paper Cup is a failure to me. If you draft me you’re going to get a guy who will bring people out to the ballparks. A new breed of player who isn’t afraid to show emotion but one that respects the old school mentality of America’s pastime. I’m grateful that I’ve been given that opportunity.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Aych Imtiyaz and the Paper Cup. Feel free to vote in my twitter poll on the game.

As always you can follow me on twitter @albertandersonas