One of the Cyclones best pitchers during the 2006 season, 22-year old Tobi Stoner was a pleasant surprise, leading the team in strikeouts and wins. Now with the 2007 NY-Penn League season just a few months away, the former Davis & Elkins University star sits down with the NY Sports Day.
Sports Day: Which position player on the Cyclones team do you think has the highest ceiling and why? What do you like about his game and what do you think he needs to work on the most in order to develop into a big leaguer?
Tobi Stoner: Dustin Martin. He�s got it all; he�s got the size, the work ethic, he�s got an arm, he�s fast and he�s a clutch hitter. He�s probably the leader on this team offensively. Overall, He�s just an amazing athlete. He�s a smart guy that works really hard, all I think he has to work on is his ability to hit off-speed pitches and he�s there. He�s going to do whatever it takes to get to higher levels.
Stoner: I would say Jake Ruckle because his windup is crazy and has a great changeup. That�s probably his best pitch. His windup is so deceiving. It�s different, you don�t see it everyday. That�s what makes him so special.
Stoner: Jeremy Hambrice. He hasn�t gotten too much of an opportunity to show his ability. He plays the infield, outfield and lately they�ve tried him at catcher in practice before. He�s just so versatile. I really believe when he comes out of his shell, he�s going to blow some minds and show people that he�s a legitimate prospect.
Sports Day: Heading into the offseason, what do you need to work on the most to be ready for next season and what will you be doing to work on it?
Stoner: I�m not sure because everything that I�ve done so far here has been successful, so I want to try and stick with that and not change much. I�m just going to focus on my strength and conditioning and try and become a little bit more consistent with my pitches.
Stoner: Leadership and enthusiasm. I really feel that when I�m on the mound everything is in control and I feel my teammates feed off of my energy and are confident when I�m on the mound. Considering that, I think it definitely works in my favor to have my teammates charged up like that when I�m out there and they know that I need them to be on top of their games as well for me to be successful, so it goes hand in hand.
Sports Day: What did you think of your season last year? How do you think it went for you?
Stoner: I had a great season, I couldn�t have asked for a better start. My numbers really don�t show much, but I�m not a numbers guy. I know that I�ve gone out there and played to the best of my ability every time I�ve gone out there and I�ve helped the team win. That�s what really matters to me. I feel I had a great season.
Sports Day: Tells us about your repertoire. What kind of pitches do you throw and at what speeds? What is your strikeout pitch? Which pitch needs the most work? Is there a pitch you'd like to develop?
Stoner: I throw a fastball, curveball, changeup and a slider. I even throw a knuckleball every once in a while; maybe once or twice a game if that much. I can throw any pitch I have at any time. I really don�t have a strikeout pitch. I have a good fastball; I feel I can spot it really well. The one pitch I think I have to work is my changeup. When it�s working, it�s a great pitch, but I have to learn to be as consistent as possible with it.
Sports Day: To give our fans a better idea of the type of pitcher you are, who would you compare your game to at the Major League level and why?
Stoner: There�s no one I�ve really ever compared myself to because I�m Tobi Stoner and I don�t try and compare myself to anyone or idolize anyone. Sure, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz are great pitchers, but I think if I keep doing what I�m doing, I�ll be more successful than if I try and emulate someone else.