HOMETOWN: Chandler, Ariz.
YEAR: Junior
SPORT: Baseball
POSITION: Infielder
Q: How has the adjustment from junior college baseball to Arizona State been?
A: It's a little faster because of the aluminum bats. The Arizona pitching was about the same, but now there's more depth in the bullpen. Now I see players come in from the bullpen and throw just as good as the starters. Whereas in junior college, you have the starters and maybe one relief guy who's good.
Q: Who do you think is going to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament?
A: Probably Duke, because of J.J. [Redick] and [Shelden] Williams. J.J.'s got a great shot.
Q: Did you see the North Carolina versus Duke game where Redick shot 25 percent?
A: That doesn't matter (laughter).
Q: If you could be any Major League player who would you be?
A: Probably Alex Rodriguez. I've always looked up to him since I was little. I like his passion for the game, his work ethic. He went to New York, had no problems playing third. He never complained about it and just did his own thing.
Q: If you played for Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, would you play in the World Baseball Classic, even though he wouldn't want you to?
A: If I was asked to play in it I would, just to represent my country. It's a chance to go out there and play with other fellow Americans and play for your country. Everyone's out there watching. It kind of reminds me of the Little League World Series with the brackets and stuff. I just think it's awesome.
Q: What's the craziest thing you've ever heard coach Pat Murphy say?
A: I can't repeat that.
Q: What about something you can say?
A: We had a meeting after the first weekend and he's going through the club in the media room talking about what people are doing, how people are doing. When he came to me he said, "C.J., you're now our third catcher."
Compiled by Tom Kelley. Reach the reporter at thomas.j.kelley@asu.edu.
