Just one day after having a life-long dream come true, Lawrence Academy standout pitcher Tyler Beede talked with NESN.com about what it's like to become a first-round draft pick.
After being selected in the first round by the Blue Jays, the right-hander has a decision to make, as he has committed to Vanderbilt.
While an important decision looms, Beede reflected on his past and how it has helped him get to where he is now.
NESN.com: What was your initial reaction when you got the call going 21st overall?
Tyler Beede: At first we didn’t get the call before the pick so it was a shock to hear my name, but immediately after we got the call from the front office guys. When they said my name it was a complete shock to me and my dad and my family. We were very excited.
NESN.com: What’s the first order of business if you sign with Toronto? What are you going to buy yourself?
TB: I could repay my parents for a lot of things they've got me over the years, but on top of the list is my dream car, a Range Rover — all black. I don't really have many big things in mind.
NESN.com: Who has been your biggest influence and why?
TB: My whole family has been inspirational in my life but most importantly my dad. He was a professional baseball player for a few years and growing up watching him play baseball and being around the game at a young age was a key for loving the game. As I got older he taught everything I know about baseball, both mental and physical, the ins and outs of pitching and just how to be a calm player and stay composed. He's got me in summer showcases and put me on the right teams and got me with the right people over the years to get me to be where I’m at today both mentally and physically.
NESN.com: What point did you realize you had the chance to play Division I baseball and get drafted?
TB: There’s a few moments like that, you can't really pick one. Playing over the summer in the big showcases against the best players at the time can help you see where you fit in the bunch. I started to realize I had a gift and a possibility of going DI or getting drafted. That's when it clicked and you keep working harder and getting better each time and good things will happen.
NESN.com: Why Vanderbilt?
TB: Vanderbilt was a big decision academically. You can’t play baseball your whole life, you need something to fall back on. That was very important in my decision with Vanderbilt. Obviously their baseball program speaks for itself. Coach [Tim] Corbin is a tremendous leader on and off the field. DJ [Derek Johnson] the pitching coach has developed first rounder after first rounder. It’s a very tremendous school and a powerful academic school and that made my decision very easy for me.
You’re a two-sport athlete, why baseball over football?
TB: I love baseball the most, I put more work into it than the other sports. But I love football and play basketball as well. I played football my whole life since Pop Warner and last year I had a special team at Lawrence Academy where we won the league. But I always knew baseball would be that sport and I put my time and sweat into.
NESN.com: Anything you can bring from football to baseball?
TB: That mental toughness and drive, being competitive. There's a lot of things you can take from football and bring to baseball. Just having that season where you’re very competitive and trying to win games and are being a team player on a team sport, it's very helpful and key toward baseball as well.
