Baseball Life:  As you grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, were you always involved in baseball from an early age? What are some of you first memories of baseball?

Christian Yelich:  I just remember liking baseball as a little kid and always looking forward to baseball season above all the other sports.

BL:  Who was your favorite MLB Player and MLB Team when you were younger? Has that changed today or are they still the same?
CY:  I never really had a favorite team but my favorite player was Derek Jeter and its still that way today because of how he carries himself on and off the field

 

 

BL: Did you ever play any sports other than baseball?
CY: Growing up I played football and basketball but stopped before high school and just focused on baseball.


BL:  You were a high school star at Westlake High School and you were involved in the 2008 and 2009 Perfect Game Wood Bat Championships. What was your proudest accomplishment during your high school career?
CY:  My best high school baseball memory was winning that World Wood Bat tournament.  It was a great group of guys and a lot of them are now playing professional baseball.


BL:  You had committed to the University of Miami prior to being drafted in the 2010 First Year Player Draft by the Miami Marlins. Describe that day for us and tell us what you were doing and how you got the news. Did you have any idea that Miami was going to be the one and how hard was it to forgo The University of Miami?
CY:  Going into the draft I had no idea what was going to happen or when I was going to be picked. Thankfully, the Marlins gave me this opportunity and I ended up forgoing the University of Miami because in the end, my dream was always to play professional baseball.


BL: As you made the transition from high school baseball to pro-ball, what was the most difficult challenge? You were quite a distance from home as well, from one coast to the other. You also experienced positional changes as well. From the infield to the outfield, how smooth was the move?
CY: I think the biggest adjustment to pro ball for me was learning to play everyday and changing positions.  Moving to the outfield has gone well and very smoothly and that’s a testament to our player development staff and coaches who have worked with me.


BL:  You have made great progress at each level you have played and your awards and honors confirm that. You were 2011 SAL Mid-Season All-Star, 2011 Topps SAL Player of the Month, SAL Post Season All-Star as well as Minor League Home Run of the Year and Organizational All-Star, FSL Player of the Week and FSL Mid-Season All-Star and you were a Futures Game Selection for the All-Stars Futures Game in Kansas City on July 8th, 2012.  Being chosen for the Futures Games has to be a standout for you. Can you tell us about your experience in the Futures Games and what it meant to you?
CY:  Being a part of the Futures game this year was an unbelievable experience!  I had a great time and it is definitely one of my best baseball memories.


BL:  By all accounts, you are one of the most disciplined and nicest young men playing Minor League Baseball today. Can you tell us who has had the most influence on your life and how you are able to handle the pressures and ins and outs of the everyday Minor League lifestyle with such great professionalism?
CY: My mom has had the most influence on me and I would just have to say it goes back to the way I was raised.

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BL:  Is there a specific workout routine that you do to enhance your speed, power and hitting ability?
CY: In the off-season I workout with a couple other baseball players and just focus on baseball related movements and exercises
 

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BL:  If you do have any downtime, what do you usually like to do?
CY:  When I have some downtime, I usually try and go to the beach or watch a movie. I’m a big movie guy and that takes up a lot of my down time.


BL:  What type of music do you like? What is your current “Walk-Out” song? What is the most played artist on your current I-pod playlist?
CY: I like all music for the most part except hardcore metal.  My current walk up song is “Cameras” by Drake.

BL:  If you were not playing baseball, what would be your chosen profession?
CY: If I wasn’t playing baseball, your going to think this a little crazy, but I wanted to be a Navy Seal and that’s before they've had all this recent publicity. I'd just like being a part of the best of the best.

BL:  What is your favorite baseball movie of all time?
CY:  Bull Durham​

BL: Do you have any obsessions with collections such caps, shoes, watches, etc?
CY: No collections as of right now.​

BL: What do you miss most about California and what do you like most about Florida?
CY: I miss the weather in California, but living out in Florida isn’t all that bad. California and Florida are similar in a lot of ways.​

BL: Describe yourself in one word.
CY:  Dedicated.​

BL: If you could be any Superhero, who would it be and why   would you choose that hero?
CY: I would be Batman because that would mean I was also Bruce Wayne.​

BL:  Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
CY:  In 5 years I see myself hopefully still playing baseball enjoying a successful career.