RSN: First of all Jeremy, Red Sox Nation was devastated to learn that Jon Lester has cancer. I know many of the Sea Dogs were teammates of Jon last year. How did you learn about it, and do you have a comment?
JW: I heard about it from my house mom on Friday. I couldn’t believe it. He is a battler and a real competitor, both on and off the field. I know he will take those attributes into this battle as well.
RSN: I know all our prayers are with him.
JW: Absolutely!
RSN: Jeremy, who have been some of the most influential people in your development as a professional ball player?
JW: You know what; I can’t just name a couple. I have learned from all my coaches. I have taken something every year from each of them that has made me not only a better baseball player, but a better person as well. I learn from my teammates as well. I got to play with Dustin Pedroia both in college and in Portland. I learned a lot from how he approaches the game. I have learned from Brandon Moss too. Even though he is a left-handed hitter, I like to watch him and how he approaches hitting.
RSN: You were a catcher in college. What was the transformation like for you into a first baseman and a DH?
JW: It wasn’t a problem. Catching is quite a responsibility. I did have to take a lot of ground balls and I still have a lot to learn about the position. I am still trying to get more comfortable around the base. It hasn’t been too bad, though. It would have been much more difficult the other way around.
RSN: How does your preparation differ on the days you are DHing from the days you are playing first base?
JW: I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t prepare differently. When I am the DH, I am more focused on hitting. I do not take any ground balls that day. I don’t prepare to play defense. I just prepare to hit, both physically and mentally. When I am scheduled to play first, I take all my ground balls and work on my all around game.
RSN: When you DH, how do you occupy your time between at-bats?
JW: Sometimes I will go to the cage if I didn’t feel good at my last at-bat. You gotta stay in the game, though, but it is tough at times. Sometimes your mind will go off and then you will have an at-bat coming up. If you are not careful you will lose your focus, so you have to keep into the game and make sure your mental side is focused on what you have to do.
RSN: Have you ever had to catch in an emergency situation at all in the past couple of seasons?
JW: No Sir, not a single inning.
RSN: Do you ever miss playing that position?
JW: Yes, I do miss it. It is a good position with a lot of action and responsibility. You are in control of the game. I do miss it.
RSN: How do you feel your development has gone during your two seasons at Portland?
JW: You just learn baseball. You learn the little things, the game within the game. I’m still learning. I try to learn every day, trying to have good at bats, trying to help my team win.
RSN: Are there any parts of your game in particular that you would still like to see yourself improve?
JW: Yeah absolutely! It is hard to pick any one part. My defense needs to improve. My hitting really needs to improve. Another part of the game that is often overlooked is base running. My base running needs to improve. All these aspects must improve if I want to succeed at the next level.
RSN: You have hit considerably better at home this year than on the road. Are you just more comfortable playing at Hadlock Field, or are there other factors?
JW: I didn’t know that. In fact, last year in was just the opposite. It might be just coincidence. I see the ball just as well on the road.
RSN: Your average this season with runners in scoring position is .290, about 20 points higher than your overall average. Is there an explanation for that?
JW: You know what? Last season, I struggled with runners in scoring position. This past season, I can’t say I worked on it because that is pretty hard to do, but I tried mentally to make an adjustment. I think last year, I struggled because I tried to do too much. I was pressing. I have tried to relax more and not think so much about driving in the runner as hitting the ball squarely. That has been my main adjustment.
RSN: When you are not playing baseball, what do you like to do?
JW: I love going to watch movies in the theatre. Whenever there is a good movie playing, I make a point to go see it. Some days I will go to two in a day just by myself.
RSN: Any favorites in particular?
JW: I love all kinds but especially those like “The Patriot,” “Braveheart,” and “Gladiator.”
RSN: What has been the biggest thrill so far in your professional career?
JW: Last year, the chance to play Akron for the Eastern League Championship after beating the Yankees affiliate, Trenton, has been my biggest thrill so far. That was a blast!
RSN: Do you have any baseball plans for the off season; winter ball for example?
JW: No, I am just going to relax for awhile and then try to get my body ready for the next season. I’ve got to work to make some money. I also will go to Arizona State with some of my buddies who are in the pros and we’ll work on our game there.