RSN: What is in your repertoire, and what do you consider your best pitch?
FV: Right now I'd say my best pitch is my slider. It has been most of the summer. I throw it around 80-82 (mph) and am using it for outs. My fastball is a 4-seamer, which I throw between 91 and 93. I also have a change-up, which kind of breaks like a cutter, except that it fades away to left-handed hitters. It's a circle change.
RSN: How would you describe your approach on the mound?
FV: I'm just a regular pitcher. When they bring me in, I give 100 percent and try to do my job. I was a starter in high school, but right now I'm pitching out of the bullpen. During the game I'll watch hitters and start thinking about how to pitch to them.
RSN: What are some of the things you watch for?
FV: I watch their hands; how quick their swing is. I look at whether they hit the ball inside out or if they try to turn on everything. I try to see if they can hit a breaking pitch. Stuff like that.
RSN: What do you feel you most need to improve to make it to the next level?
FV: I'd say it's the command of my fastball. It has too much movement at times, so sometimes my control isn't where I want it to be. I need to throw it for strikes more.
RSN: I recently asked one of your teammates, T.J. Large, to put together a hypothetical line-up that included only members of the Spinners pitching staff, and he put you at shortstop. Why do you think that is?
FV: Maybe because I'm short? <laughs> No, I spoke to T.J. about being a position player in high school, so that was probably the reason. I used to play shortstop, third base, and some centerfield.
RSN: How are you with the bat?
FV: I consider myself a pretty good hitter. I hit over .440 in high school. That was in the public school league in New York. I actually used to play against Danny Almonte (of Little League World Series fame). I also played in a summer league, a wood bat league, and went something like 70-for-160.
RSN: Who was your favorite player growing up?
FV: My favorite is Manny Ramirez, man. He's unbelievable. The way he hits is like no one else.
RSN: If he was hitting against you, how would you pitch to him?
FV: I'd probably throw a slider away on the first pitch, and then try to get a fastball inside at his elbow. And I'd definitely try not to make a mistake out over the plate. If you do that he's going to crush it. Of course, as a pitcher you can't worry about that. You need to have confidence in yourself and have a short memory when someone beats you.
RSN: Can you elaborate on that a little?
FV: When I'm pitching, I say to myself, "I'm better than you." Bob Tewksbury and Goose Gregson have been telling me that I need to think that way, and they're right. If you don't believe that you're going to succeed, you're probably not going to.
RSN: What are your plans for the off-season?
FV: I'm thinking of going to the Dominican Republic for awhile. My parents are in New York, but I have aunts and cousins in the Dominican that I'd like to see. But mostly I'll be going to the gym to work out, and running a lot. I'll also be playing catch and working on my pitching, because I want to be in shape and ready when next season gets here.
RSN: Last one: How did you end up signing with the Red Sox?
FV: I had offers from the Indians and Reds, too, but I really like the scouts I dealt with here: Ray Fagnant and Koby Perez. They helped me a lot. Plus, I like the Red Sox organization.