2 weeks left
Hey AFL fans and Giants fans of course!! This is Thomas Neal and I’m taking over this for week for Mr. Steve Edlefsen. Im sure he is at home relaxing next to the fireplace using all the bats that he has broken so far in the AFL while watching the brand new season of The Real Housewives of Orange County.
First off, I would like to say its an honor and a blessing to be out here in AZ being able to play in the AFL. As many of you know it has been a long season for all of us. I think I speak for all of my teammates when I say, when your asked to play a little bit longer after your regular season your 1st reaction is “your joking right”… Then you soak it in and realize that your going to play in a league that is made up of every teams top prospects and tired goes out of the window. The way I see it, not only are you being given the chance to get better and play against the best players but your getting yourself ready …. So If you do make it to the big leagues and your ball club makes the playoffs, you have already been through an extra long season and mentally you will be ready for the challenge.
It’s been an awesome few weeks down here in the AZ. I’ve learned a lot, It’s really neat to watch other players that you don’t really know and you get to see how they go about their business, how they prepare themselves for games, ask other hitters what their approach at the plate is or ask pitchers what they are trying to do to different types of hitters.
Here is a little background about myself. I was born in Inglewood, California but I was raised in San Diego, CA. I went to Poway High School Home of the Titans… I was drafted out of High School in the 36th round in 2005 but didn’t sign .. I chose to attend Riverside Community College for 1 year where I played for Dennis Rogers hands down one of the best baseball minds in ALL of baseball. I signed with the Giants a week after my season ended. I went and play short season in Salem where I tore my labrum in the middle of the season… I had surgery and missed all of 2007 basically … came back in 2008 played in Augusta but the shoulder was still not 100% and 2009 it was finally healthy
Sfgyrosfan – Im really not concentrating to much right now on hitting for power out here in the AFL because I know that will come if i have a good game plan and swing at good pitches.. Im really focused on having good At bats and not giving any ab’s away and just having a good approach and sticking to that appoach and in reality thats all I have control because once I hit it its out of my control.
Rpitman2222- Prior to this season I really worked on getting my body into shape so that i was able to stay healthy and strong throughout the entire season.. I’ve always known what I was capable of doing but in-order to prove that I had to stay healthy and getting into better shape was my main focus. Like i said in the comment before i’m really focused on having good ab’s and also showing the giants and everyone else that I can play with the best and show what im capable of doing against older guys… with the younger guys I do give them advice when they ask but I really just try and be and example by going out and working hard everyday and playing the game the way it should be played because actions speak louder than words
thanks for the question I have to go but if you have any more questions for myself or any of the other giants ask them this is your chance talk to You guys later
Giants in the AFL 
Thanks Thomas! It’s great to see you having success in the AFL, playing against such a high level of competition, especially after such a long season leading San Jose to another CAL League title. All of the SF fans are expecting big things of the entire San Jose outfield in the future- you, Darren Ford, Francisco Peguero, and Roger Kieschnick.
Steve or Thomas- can you ask Brandon Crawford a few questions? If so, I would like to ask him: How did you prepare for the 2009 season? What adjustments did you have to make after your promotion to AA? What have you been working on durng the AFL? I have seen that your team has 6 SS’s so you have played 3B and 2B. Are you comfortable at those positions as well?
For Steve- I have noticed that both you and Dan Turpen have not pitched in several days. Are you guys okay, health-wise? Good luck to all of you guys over the last couple of weeks in AZ!
Hi Thomas, thanks so much for taking the time to post your thoughts here and answer questions! You seem like a really good player and I’m looking forward to seeing play for the big Giants team sometime soon. 🙂 I don’t seem to remember you stealing a lot of bases, but I noticed you’re leading the AFL in steals with 8 already in only 13 games! In fact, I just checked, and in the AFL right now you have more steals than in your entire minor league career! What is the reason for that? Also, why did you play 1st base on Friday? I don’t remember you playing 1st at all this season. I couldn’t tell how well you played since I could only watch on Gameday, but someone who was actually watching said you looked impressive! Keep up the great work!
–Lauren
I watched you make a no-bounce throw a from LF to home at High Desert and was really impressed. How is the shoulder holding up? I also watched you get at least three 0 – 2 counts but still managed to get on base. Did anyone in the Giants system teach you patience or was it something you just adopted growing up? Hurry up and make it to the big time because I want you Giants’ jersey… You are our blessing…
I kind of wish the AFL was in Florida so I could go to all the games haha. But it’s okay, I guess I get spring training…
When did you know you wanted to be a MLB player? Who was your role model in baseball growing up? Did you try to emulate any hitters’ styles?
Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com
I kind of wish the AFL was in Florida so I could go to all the games haha. But it’s okay, I guess I get spring training…
When did you know you wanted to be a MLB player? Who was your role model in baseball growing up? Did you try to emulate any hitters’ styles?
Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com