Astros Future Interview: Daniel Mengden
By Jimmy Price
Astros Future Interview: Daniel Mengden
Coming into the season the Astros had, and still have, a ton of talent in the minor league system. It seems there is pitching talent equally spread across all levels but one guy that has really stood out is Daniel Mengden.
Mengden was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 4th round of the 2014 draft out of Texas A&M. There was a chance Mengden could have been drafted in the 1st round but injuries held him back and fortunately the Astros were able to scoop him up. We will get into the injury in the interview.
Mengden put together a nice career with the Aggies compiling more than 250 innings in college. He really broke onto the scene as a sophomore where he posted a 2.11 ERA in 110.2 IP, 24 BB, 94 K. As stated earlier, injuries held him back a bit his junior season but he still finished with a respectable 4.08 ERA and 29 BB/95 K in 103.2 IP.
Last season after being drafted, Mengden only pitched 11.2 innings but struck out 17 batters. To begin 2015, Daniel was assigned to Class A Quad Cities. He has been fantastic so far this season posting a 1.21 ERA in over 29.2 innings.
Daniel Mengden (DOB: 02/19/93)
2014 Stats: 3-1, 1.21 ERA, 29.2 IP, 24 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 29 K, 1.8 BB/9, 8.8 SO/9
Daniel Mengden, RHP
Lets get to the interview!
Daniel was kind enough to take some of his free time to answer a few questions for us.
Astros Future (AF): Can you describe the feeling of being drafted by the Houston Astros? What was that day like for you and your family?
Daniel Mengden (DM): “It was just so unexpected and I wasn’t really thinking of my home team picking me at first or how exciting it may be. After it happened it was just a dream come true. I always wanted to play pro baseball and now I have a chance to play for my home team. It was an unreal and awesome feeling when it happened. My parents and friends were ecstatic.”
AF: Did you have prior knowledge that the Astros had interest in drafting you?
DM: “I know my area scout Noel Gonzales called me about 5 or 6 times. He asked about a couple of my starts, how I felt, and other general questions. I was just thinking his interest was the same as everyone else who was interested. He never showed me anything out of the ordinary.”
AF: Were you an Astros fan growing up? Who was your favorite player?
DM: “Yes I was. Craig Biggio was my favorite Astro growing up. Just love the way he played the game. He was the scrappy guy everyone hated to face, he played with his hair on fire throughout his career and truly earned his spot in the hall of fame.”
“Another thing about Biggio which was an unreal experience for me was that he helped coach my summer team the Houston heat when I was 16 or 17. One thing a lot of people may not know is that I used to be a catcher, outfielder, and a pitcher. So having Biggio mentor our team for that summer was one of the best experiences of my young career.”
AF: What are your favorite songs to listen to prior to a game?
DM: “I love listening to Lindsey Stirling and Timeflies Tuesday songs before I pitch.”
AF: What superstitions do you have, if any, pre-game or during game?
DM: “I’m really not that superstitious per say. My pre-pitch routine could be considered somewhat superstitious because it has to be the same every time. Before I step on the mound I look over my right shoulder, check every position player and make sure they are ready, then I step my right foot on the mound and then do the same on the left side then step on the mound and get ready to go.”
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AF: What is the most memorable moment of your professional baseball career?
DM: “To this point, I would have to say when I was playing with the Tri-City Valleycats and we clinched the league and had a great champagne shower.”
AF: If you weren’t playing baseball what would you be doing?
DM: “My major was communications and journalism, so I would some form of sports broadcasting.”
AF: In college you pitched with a stress fracture in your back. How did that affect the way you pitched and performed?
DM: “Well it kinda made me feel like an old man – I could barely run, it hurt to stand from a sitting position as well as getting out of bed. It didn’t allow me to use my legs. Every time I planted by left foot before every pitch it felt like someone had a butter knife and was constantly stabbing me in the side.
It affected my velocity the most. I went from 90-94 MPH to 84-90 MPH so my go to pitch, which is my fastball, was basically useless. I had to learn to really use all four pitches and really pitch, I couldn’t get away with as many mistakes as I used to. I had to learn how to become more of a finesse pitcher my last year at Texas A&M.”
AF: How was the adjustment between the college game and professional ball?
DM: “The only thing that changes from every level is how good the hitters are. The higher you get the better and more disciplined the hitters get.”
AF: Can you describe your pitching style and repertoire?
DM: “My style is very unique, I don’t even know how to describe it, its more of you have to see it kinda thing. My repertoire is pretty basic – I have a four seam fastball, two seam fastball, curveball, slider, changeup.”
AF: If there is anything on the field you would like to improve, what would it be? What do you feel is your biggest strength?
DM: “Just getting better everyday, always working on pitch development so I can move as fast as I can through the system. My biggest strength would probably be my work ethic and competitiveness. I hate losing and I’ll always work the guy next to me.”
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AF: The Quad Cities River Bandits are off to the best start of any Astros minor league team. What do you think has led to this hot start?
DM: “We have a close nit group of guys, great locker room and everyone meshes together and we all love playing the game. We have a great coaching staff here in Quad Cities. Winning is contagious, we are playing good defense, pitching very well and our hitting has impeccable timing and always comes through when we need it. Both our pitching staff and position players go back and forth picking each other up when we need too.”
AF: Thank you for your time and good luck this season!
**Photo Credit: Richard Guill, QC River Bandit Photographer**
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