Baseball Life 365: What are your first memories of baseball? Do you actually remember your first bat, ball, and glove?

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Rookie Davis:  My first memories of baseball go back to whenever I was about 5 years old. I was playing t-ball at the local rec fields and remember playing and having my Dad coach me and playing with some of my close friends that I still have today. My first baseball glove was a glove that my Dad had used whenever he played baseball. My first bat was a small wooden bat that I was given on the day that I was born. Every since then I guess you could say I was destined for baseball!

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BL365: When you were growing up, what other sports did you play? Was baseball always the main sport?

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RD: Growing up I played basketball and baseball. Baseball was always the main sport and something that I was always more interested in. I enjoyed playing basketball with my friends and becoming a well rounded athlete. I also took gymnastics and played the piano growing up and can still play the piano. Baseball was just something that I always wanted to watch on TV  and go to the local games and wanted to be around the game as much as I possibly could.

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BL: What was the first MLB baseball game you went to watch and in which stadium?



RD: My very first MLB game was when I was 2 years old and it was at Camden Yards. It was the game that Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's record of consecutive games at 2,131.

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BL365: Did you have a favorite MLB player as you were growing up?  If so, who was it and why did you choose that player?

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RD: My favorite player growing up was Cal Ripken Jr. and Roger Clemens. I admired Cal Ripken Jr. because he went out everyday and played the game the right way. He played everyday and was the true definition of a baseball player. Roger Clemens was also one of my favorite players because of his style of pitching. He was a bulldog on the mound and intimidated the opposition and I try to model my pitching style to his as much as I can.

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BL365: At what point in your life did you realize that you wanted to be a pro baseball player?

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RD: I've always wanted to be a professional baseball player for as long as I can remember. The big league ballparks, the fans, the competition is always something I have wanted and will continue to pursue my dream until I am no longer able to do so.

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BL365: Your high school baseball career at Dixon High School in North Carolina was stellar as you posted some amazing numbers. In your senior year alone you went 9-0 with a 1.02 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 61.1 innings. You made such an impact on your high school that your jersey, number 24, was retired. Of all the accolades and accomplishments during your high school career, what are you most proud of?



RD: I am most proud of the season that my team, as a whole, had during my Junior year. Yeah all of the awards and such are great but I wouldn't have been in that position had it not been for my teammates and my coaching staff. We went 27-7 and finished second in the state and just to have a season like that with the group of guys we had was much more special than any individual accomplishment. The memories I have with that team will never be forgotten.



BL365: You had committed to East Carolina University, then the 2011 MLB Draft rolled around. The Yankees called and you accepted. Please tell us about the time leading up to the draft, did you know that the Yankees were drafting you and how hard of a decision was it to make between ECU and the Yankees? How did you celebrate?



RD: It was a very exciting time leading up to the draft. I had great support from my community and everyone that was around my family and myself. Coming from a small town it was really great how everyone was excited and talking about the things happening. It was a very hard decision deciding between a great program such as ECU and signing with the Yankees. I didn't have an answer until the deadline and decided to do what I felt was best for myself and signed. We celebrated with a signing party at my high school and had between 400-500 people come out and watch as I signed with my family, head coach, and local Yankees scout on the stage with me.



BL365: Drafted by the Yankees as a RHP, your prowess at the plate was as impressive as your presence on the mound. How do you feel about giving up that chance to fill up the batter’s box in order to toe the rubber or will you be a pitcher that also bats?



RD: I am going to only pitch. It was definitely tough putting up the bat because I felt like I really had a future in the batters box, but God has a plan for me that I am following and this is what I was meant to do. Now I am able to focus on only pitching and that's something that I never really put all my focus in. So I am really looking forward to seeing what can happen now when my attention is strictly on pitching.

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BL365: After you signed, you went straight to Tampa, with the GCL. Tell us about your first experience in the minor leagues and what was the biggest transition from high school ball to pro ball?

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RD: The biggest transition for me was getting a routine set for everyday. Learning the things to do and carrying those things out everyday. It wasn't a very big transition as far as a pitching stand point, but more so just learning how to be a professional and carrying myself in a way that reflected that. Now I am going into my second year ready to go and will continue those things.

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BL365: There is more than one facet to your pitching style- you have the tenacity to pitch a massive amount of innings as well as possessing focused determination with repeatable mechanics. What do you attribute your success to and your ability to go deep in the game? What pitches are you packing in your arsenal and what is your go-to pitch?



RD: I try to keep my pitch count as low as I can while executing pitches the way I need to. I was taught at a very young age to pound the strike zone and keep the ball down. Those things have really helped me have short innings which in turn allows me to go deep into games and continue to be strong and keep my velocity consistent. I throw a 4 seam and 2-seam fastball, curveball, and two different change ups. I started throwing a modified version of the Vulcan change up in instructs and I also throw a straight change.

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BL365: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

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RD: My grandma, who passed away 3 years ago, is part of my pre-game routine. Whenever I take the mound I always pray and talk to her. I do that before every inning starts as well.

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BL365: You had the opportunity to play in the Dominican Republic this past fall. Tell us about your experiences there and the impact that trip had on you.



RD: It was a great experience and is something I will never forget. In the DR baseball is something that everyone enjoys and wants to excel at. We were able to hold a camp there and work with some of the local kids, and just to see how much they enjoyed us being there was awesome. It had an impact on me and is something I will never forget.



BL365: How have you spent your off-season?



RD: I've spent my offseason working out and getting my nutrition to where it should be. I have trimmed down this year and am heading into spring training physically the strongest I have ever been. My dad and I have also opened up a batting center in my hometown and are currently getting that up and running. We're very excited for the opportunity to give back to the community and continue the strong baseball tradition in eastern North Carolina.



BL365: What is your favorite baseball movie?



RD: My favorite baseball movies would have to be Bull Durham and The Rookie.

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BL365: If you were not a professional baseball player, what path would you have chosen?

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RD: I was going to study Sports Marketing in college. Sports Marketing would have opened the door for many roads leading to baseball and with that I would be able to stay around the game and be a part of it.

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BL365: What type of music do you like?

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RD: I enjoy all music, it just really depends on what kind of mood I'm in that day. My game day playlist contains Lil Wayne, Eminem, Meek Mill and a few others. Something that gets me zoned in and helps me get ready for the game.

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BL365: What is the best advice you have ever been given?



RD: I have three things that really stick out in my mind.  The first is "control the things that you can control.” That came from my head coach at Dixon High School.  The second is " be a good man."  That came from my Momma. The last is "finish well and finish strong." and that came from my Momma as well.

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BL365: Who has had the most influence and impact in your life and why?

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RD: There have been so many people in my life that have molded me into the person I am today. My Mom, Dad, and Sister have been the people that have always been there for me through good times and bad times. My Grandma had a huge impact on my life because of the person she was and continues to have a huge impact on my life to this day. All of my coaches and friends have taught me lessons and done so much for me that words can't explain. There are too many people to thank and I just hope one day I am able to show them somehow and have them know I really appreciate all of the things they have done for me.

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BL365: You head out for Spring Training soon. What would you like to accomplish in 2013? Do you have some specific goals?



RD: I would really like to make it to Charleston at some point during the 2013 season. That is one specific goal that I have for myself. Overall, I want to have a full and healthy season and continue to work hard and see how far I can go this year. I want to prove to myself, the coaching staff, and the fans, that I am ready to step up and become a bigger part of the season than I did this past year.

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BL365: What would you like for your legacy to be? How would you like to be remembered?



RD: I would like to be remembered for the things that I did off the field. I want my legacy to be one that my Dad has. Everyone in my hometown looks at my Dad as someone whom they can have their kids look up to and he's a role model for our town.  I want to be remembered for the same things. I want people to feel like I made a good name for my family and for my hometown. I want to impact people's lives in a way that they will never forget and that is something that I would truly be proud of.