Baseball Life:  What are your very first memories of baseball? Did you have a favorite MLB Player of MLB Team while you were growing up?

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Ty Hensley: My first memory of playing baseball was when I was playing T-ball at 3 years old. That's about as far as I can remember haha. My favorite team was the Atlanta Braves growing up because they were always on TV, so it was inevitable that Chipper Jones would become my favorite player.

BL:  Baseball seems to be run naturally through the Hensley Family. Your Dad, yourself, and your brother all three are involved in it. How big of an impact on your life was your Dad’s baseball experience and coaching?

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TH: It was huge. It really got me to liking the game because I basically grew up at the field where my dad coached. All of his players took me under their wing like I was a "little brother".  That is definitely where my love for the game began.

 

BL:  Your baseball career at Edmond Santa Fe High School was EPIC. Finishing your Senior year with a 10-0 record, 1.52 ERA, and striking out 111 batters in just 55 and 1/3 innings as well as batting .447 with 10 Homeruns and 41 RBI’s is the stuff that makes up an Elite Athlete. All that in addition to being the QB on your school’s football team! What would you say was your most defining moment of your Santa Fe High School career? What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time there?

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TH:  My most defining moment at high school was making the varsity team as a freshman and getting a chance to start. That is one of the things I will remember the most. I'm most proud of my senior season and the way not only I performed, but also the way my teammates handled having scouts at the games as well as coming together as a group and competing to the very best of their abilities.

BL:  You were drafted in the first round of the 2012 First Year Player Draft. Tell us about the day you got the news: Where were you, what were you doing and how did you celebrate? Did you have any idea that the New York Yankees would be the team to draft you?

TH: I had a draft party at a restaurant where I watched it on TV with 100 of my close friends and family, nervously awaiting for my named to be called. I honestly had no idea I would even get to the Yankees pick, but that's the way that it turned out and I couldn't be happier!


BL:  You are now with the Gulf Coast League Yankees. What has been the biggest transition in moving from high school baseball to your first taste of the minor leagues?

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TH: In professional baseball you have to "pitch". You can't just throw the ball by people anymore. Almost any hitter out here can catch up to a poorly placed fastball. You have to mix your pitches well and stay poised no matter the outcome.


BL:  What is a typical day like in the life of a minor leaguer? Give us some insight as to how it goes for you.

TH: From 7 AM to 4 PM it is a grind of workouts, running, throwing, early work, and bullpens. Then after that it is off to the game. After a good day of baseball I usually go eat and hang out with some of my teammates until about 10 PM.  Right around that time all you want to do is go to sleep haha, so then it's time to start the next day.


BL:  You just turned 19 on July 30th. How did you celebrate your birthday this year?

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TH: Some of my teammates took me out to eat, and I also got to make my professional debut. Couldn't have asked for a better birthday present.
 

BL:  What has been your greatest challenge so far as you take your spot in the pitching rotation in Florida? What has been your most rewarding?
 
TH: My greatest challenge has just been getting used to the differences from high school to pro ball. It gets a little easier every time out, and I try and get better in some aspect every start. The most rewarding part is just being able to compete at such a high level. I never take that for granted.


BL:  Your fastball effortlessly reaches the mid 90’s and you also wield a change up and curveball. Tell us about the pitches in your repertoire and what you want to change or work on or add to in your arsenal.  What is your go to pitch?

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TH: I throw a 4 and 2 seam fastball that sit in the 92-95 range with the 2 seam having more movement arm side. My change up sits in the 83-86 range with arm side sink. And then there is the 12-6 curve ball at 78-81 which I feel is my "go to pitch".  I need to work on solidifying my mechanics and being able to repeat them time after time.
 

BL: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
 
TH: My goal is to get better each and every time I walk out there and build off of every start.


BL: Now for a few light hearted questions. What is your favorite baseball movie?

TH: That's a tough one. I'd put it between The Natural or For Love of the Game.


BL:  What one word would you use to describe yourself and why would you choose that word?

TH: Competitor.  No matter what I'm doing I always try and be the best at whatever it is. I love competition.
 

BL:  If you could be any superhero, who would you choose and why?
 
TH: Superman because he can do almost anything!
 

BL:  What kind of music do you like? What song is on repeat the most on your playlist right now?

TH: I can listen to everything, but my favorite is country music. My favorite song right now is "The One that Got Away" by Jake Owen.


BL:  Do you have a favorite quote, motto or life verse that you live by?
 
TH: "Believe in Yourself"


BL:  If you weren’t playing baseball, what would you be doing right now?
 
TH: Don't think I could get away from sports, so I would be playing football somewhere!​

 

 

 

BL:  What is one of your ultimate goals that you want to achieve in your lifetime?
 
TH: Positively impact as many lives as possible. That has always been my goal.


BL:  Who has had the most influence on you in your life?
 
TH: I can't narrow it down to one person, but the two people are my mom, Marci, and my father, Mike.
 

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BL:  Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

TH: Lord willing, pitching in the pinstripes trying to help this organization obtain even more world championships.


BL: How do you want to be remembered? What do you want your legacy to be?
 
TH: I'm not really sure how to answer that yet, I'm still writing this part every day. I'm going to compete the best I can every day and be the best player that I can possibly be!