On his repertoire and approach on the mound: "I throw a fastball, a change-up, and a curve. My fastball is about 90-91 (mph) and is my best pitch. It's a 4-seamer that I throw from over the top, so it has downward movement. It moves a little bit like a cutter. My second best pitch is my curve. I throw all of my pitches to right-handed-hitters. Against left-handed-hitters I only throw my fastball and curve. I don't throw my change-up. I think I am equally effective against right-handers and left-handers. I don't try for strikeouts. I pitch more for contact."
On if he prefers starting or relieving, and if he attacks hitters differently the second time through the order: "I don't care how the team uses me. When I come into the game, I don't know how many innings I'll throw. Whatever they want is okay. When I face someone for the second time in a game, it depends on what he did in the first at-bat. I see what kind of swings they had and I see their stance. That helps me know how to pitch to them."
On signing with the Red Sox: "They were the team that gave me the chance. I also signed because I like the Red Sox. I signed when I was 19 years old. That is when I started pitching. Before that I was a first baseman and a centerfielder. I was a good hitter -- a left-handed-hitter with power -- but the scouts said I had a good arm and would have a better chance as a pitcher."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Lowell Spinners pitcher Felix Ventura, who contributed to this interview as a translator, added that German was nicknamed "the assassin" in Santo Domingo because of his hitting ability.
On how he'd assess his 2006 season, and what he feels he most needs to improve upon to make it to the big leagues: "I feel that I have pitched well and put up good numbers. I am happy with that. To get better I have to improve the command of my pitches. I have to locate my fastball better."
On his personality and what he likes to do off the field: "I work out and try to get myself in good shape. I get along well with everyone, but am mostly quiet and don't like to go out very much. I like to do my own thing."