On Monday, MLB.com’s Amit Badlani had a chance to sit down with the latest Met to graduate from the minor leagues, OF Darrell Ceciliani.
Ceciliani, the Mets fourth-round selection in the 2009 first-year player draft, has battled injury problems for a good portion of his minor league career, but earned the call last week after hitting .336/.381/.584 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 37 games for Triple-A Las Vegas.
Badlani spoke with the 25-year old Ceciliani about his promotion to the big leagues, playing for Wally Backman in the minors, his role on the big league bench, and more:
Amit Badlani: How has the adjustment to the majors been so far?
Darrell Ceciliani: I’m just trying to take it day by day. Just trying to slow down and get a process going. I’m finding a routine and trying to get my feet under me.
Amit Badlani: What was it like when you got the call to the majors?
Darrell Ceciliani: It was awesome, man. It was a dream come true. Something I’ve been working for. Just trying to go out there, battle and do what got me here.
Amit Badlani: For the fans who don’t know much about you, how could you describe yourself in a few words?
Darrell Ceciliani: Hard-nosed and maybe a little old-school. I always go out there and give it 110%. I’m not afraid to get dirty.
Amit Badlani: Five years ago, Wally Backman said you were going to make the majors. What was it like having a manager with that much confidence in you so early on?
Darrell Ceciliani: For him to be able to believe in me that way and instill that in me and try to get the best out of me. He told me how to go about the game and showed me good work ethic to always try to get better. To have a guy that’s been up there and played 15 years or so in the big leagues, a guy that’s been there before and have that confidence in me, was awesome.
Amit Badlani: Not only that, but he was also your manager earlier this season. What was it like being with him again?
Darrell Ceciliani: It was awesome to be back with him. He’s a great guy to be around, a great baseball guy that loves to win. He brings intensity and energy to the game everyday, so you want to make sure to bring that for him.
Amit Badlani: Now that you’ve been here for about a week, what’s your approach been for either pinch-hitting or starting?
Darrell Ceciliani: Get a routine and have good work ethic. Work on my reads out in the outfield for ground balls and fly balls. Get a routine going in the cage. Whatever I need to do to get myself as ready as possible for the game whether I’m starting or coming off the bench.
Amit Badlani: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
Darrell Ceciliani: I want to constantly get better and be able to make adjustments. I’ll try to stay up here as long as I can, work my butt off and see what happens.
Amit has covered the Mets for WFUV and a variety of other media outlets over the past five years. You can follow Amit on Twitter here.
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