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NYPL Norwich Sea Unicorns

Questions and Answers with Tanner Donnels

September 4, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Norwich Sea Unicorns News Release


Interview by: Sam Dostaler

Late last week I had a chance to sit down with outfielder/first basemen Tanner Donnels and talk to him about his first year in professional baseball and what it was like to get drafted this June. Donnels was drafted in the 21st round of this years draft out of Loyola Marymount in California. With a little less then a week left in the regular season Donnels is batting .250 with 17 RBI's and has tallied six doubles and two triples.

You got drafted this past June what was your reaction when the call finally came?

The day itself was pretty nerve racking all day because it was third day, the final day of the draft, and it was the later rounds and I had been waiting around for three days at this point. Once I got the phone call it was one of the best feelings that I have had. I was with my Dad too so it was pretty cool.

How did you react after getting the phone call?

I was on the way to Bass Pro Shops so I got the call and we were both pretty excited but nothing crazy. I then texted and called all my family after.

Did you expect to go sooner in draft?

I didn't really have any expectations on where I was going to go but I did get a couple (of phone) calls about 30 minutes earlier so I knew it was coming up.

What was your welcome to the professional's moment?

The competition for sure. Just seeing all the guys from different colleges and then us coming up.

Best story from the clubhouse this season?

Just hanging out with the guys. Right now we have a band going with me, Gibby (Cam Gibson) and Keaton Jones and that is a good time. I am the drummer, Keaton is guitar and Gibby is our lead singer. Right now we have been sticking to the hard rock.

Favorite on-field moment?

Probably the walk-off (Corey Baptist walk-off against Lowell) that was pretty cool.

Your father Chris played at Loyola Marymount and played on their team that went to the College World Series in 1986. What did it mean to play for the same program that he played for?

It was really cool. I knew going (into my recruitment) that Loyola Marymount was my number one choice so to actually sign my letter of intent there was really cool. Obviously, he had a great career and got to the World Series for the first time with that team so I am really glad I chose that school and it ended up being really fun.

What sort of impact has your Dad had on your playing career?

The most for sure out of anyone. He hasn't pushed it on my at all so it has been 100% my decision to play. He has definitely helped out a lot and growing up I would always hit with him and he has been a great mentor for me.

You played mostly outfielder at Loyola then moved to first base for your final collegiate season and now back to the outfield with Connecticut. What has the adjustment back to the outfield been like?

It was tough transitioning back to the outfield. It was actually tougher then transitioning to first because I had a whole fall to practice it last year. Transitioning back was a little tough because I hadn't been in the outfield for about a year and I had to figure out the reads (on fly balls). Just figuring out the first step and what angle to take on the ball.

How did you end up transitioning back to the outfielder with Connecticut?

The first week I got here I said I could play a little right fielder but at (the beginning) I was mainly playing first and platooning there. And then once some of the outfielders got moved up (to West Michigan) there was a spot out there so I have been mainly playing right field since.

What has been the biggest adjustment to playing on a day-to-day basis?

Just every day is a new day. If you had a bad day the night before you have a chance to make up for it the next day and if you have a good day you basically have to just keep a clean slate.

The Connecticut Tigers are the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play a 76 game schedule that runs from mid June through early September. 2015 season tickets, group tickets, mini plans, individual game tickets, and team merchandise are now on sale! The front office and ticket office is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be accessed in person or by calling 860-887-7962.

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