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Featured Post: MMN Exclusive With South Atlantic League MVP Luis Guillorme

By Michael Mayer

November 8, 2015 7 Comments

Luis - Guillorme

Last week I was able to talk to New York Mets shortstop prospect Luis Guillorme who has a fantastic season for the Savannah Sand Gnats in their final year of being affiliated with the Mets. In 122 games this year he hit .318/.354/.391 while scoring 67 runs, knocking in 55 and stealing 18 bases. He was very good in the clutch this year slashing .353/.416/.383 in 62 plate appearances with runners in scoring position.

Before this season Luis was known specifically for his defensive prowess as he was called the human highlight reel by some scouts. I had him listed at #25 in my Midseason Top 25 Mets Prospects at Mets Merized Online.

Mike: First off want to congratulate you on being named the South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player. How surprised were you when you found out you won? How did you find out?

LuisI was excited but I was really surprised,mostly because I knew there was at least three other guys in that locker that deserved it too. We were all in the locker room and Leger told us who made the post season all star and then told me I won the MVP in front of the whole team so that was pretty cool.

Mike: You also received another great honor by winning the Sterling Award, was that the first time you have been to Citi Field? What was the experience like for you?

LuisThat was my first time there and it was an amazing experience. Just walking around the stadium and then being in it, taking bp  and then hanging out with the big guys was awesome.

Mike: Who from the Big league team did you get to talk to?

Luis: I’ve always gotten along with Ruben Tejada, Wilmer Flores, Dilson Herrera and Juan Lagares and this time I got to talk to Bartolo Colon, who is a great guy. Also, I’ve been helping out with the pre-draft work outs in St. Lucie for the past 3 years and Daniel Murphy is always there too so we always end up talking a little.

Mike: What did you do (if anything) differently at the plate this year to have a great season with the bat?

Luis: One of the things that helped me was having a more consistent swing. Besides that I was just thinking how that pitcher or that team was trying to work me or how I approached my at bats last time I played them.

Mike: Do you think that over time you will develop more power? Is that something you even worry about?

Luis: I don’t worry about that too much because I know that that isn’t my game. All I have to do is find the gaps and find a way to get in scoring position whether is hitting a double or having to steal a base.

Mike: What do you think you need to improve on to take the next step towards becoming a Major Leaguer?

Luis: I think just becoming even more consistent with my whole game. I think the big difference between a big leaguer and a minor leaguer is consistency.

Mike: You are known for your sparkling defense and some prospect gurus think you won’t hit enough to make the Big Leagues. Do you pay attention to that type of stuff or just block out?

Luis: I always heard comments like that even since I was in high school and I always use them as motivation, I like proving people wrong.

Mike: What was the experience like to be a part of that historic winning streak, the last games at Grayson Stadium and getting playoff experience?

Luis: The streak was really fun and made so much easier to just go out there and play. That last game there didn’t end the way we wanted too but playing there the whole season was an amazing experience,the fans there were great people. I’ve been on winning teams my whole life so I don’t treat playoff any different than a regular season game but I still get that rush that helps perform better.

Mike: Can you tell me a few of your teammates that really stood out and impressed you this year?

Luis: To be honest with you the whole team impressed me. Everybody did something special to help the team this year and if I got into detail of everybody I would never finish.

Mike: That is great to hear, tell me a little bit about your manager Jose Leger? What did you learn from him?

Luis: I played for Leger these past 2 years and out of everything he’s taught me one of the things that hit me the most was to never show emotions. You can’t show the other team,your team or the umpires that there is something wrong or that you’re mad because that’s gonna end up hurting you.

Mike: How did you learn to become such a great defensive shortstop?

Luis: That’s the one thing I always work on even though it was natural for me and when I signed our fielding coordinator Kevin Morgan helped make it even better by helping me slow it down and making everything consistent.

Mike: When you were growing up did you have a favorite team or player?

Luis: The Cleveland Indians and that was because my favorite player was Omar Vizquel.

Mike: Thanks for answering all my questions. Good Luck next year and hope to see playing in New York someday!

 

 

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