Gwinnett Braves starter Kris Medlen is poking out from behind the shadow of his friend and fellow prospect Tommy Hanson. At 5-0 with a 0.96 ERA, Medlen is leading the International League in ERA and tied for the most wins. He takes a 21-inning scoreless streak into Saturday's start against Lehigh Valley.
Medlen spoke with staff writer Carroll Rogers about his streak, his experience in big-league camp during spring training and his prospects for making the majors. Q. What's been working for you?
A. In spring training, when I'd get in trouble, it was with the lack of location on my fastball. I've really tried to focus on keeping the ball down and jump ahead with it, as well as locating it. It's a lot easier for me to pitch off my fastball with my change-up.
Q. Was it a mechanical adjustment or mental?
A. It's all timing, just repetition. I've been throwing a lot more [side sessions], being in a starter role instead of a reliever when you don't really throw too many [bullpen sessions]. I've stayed crisp, and that's helped me a lot.
Q. What did spring training do for your confidence?
A. Toward the end it kind of killed my confidence. Those last two outings burst my bubble. But being around the guys you want to play with and getting a chance to talk to them and seeing their work ethic [was good]. It was really good to face guys who'd been in the big leagues, too.
Q. Who did you enjoy facing the most?
A. The guy that really put everything in perspective was when I went to Tampa and pitched against [Yankees catcher] Jorge Posada. You see him in the box. I was just blown away. ... I fell behind 3-0 and I came back to strike him out on three straight pitches. It was a cool experience for me. It lets you know how close you are. ... I'm carrying it over into the season so far, just trying to be confident in all my pitches.
Q. Are we allowed to talk about what's going on with you here [the scoreless streak]?
A. Another reporter asked me, how long do I plan on keeping this scoreless streak going, and I'm like, 'I don't know how to approach that question.' You try not to give up runs, so I guess the rest of my career, that'd be cool.
Q. So you're not superstitious?
A. I only have two, really, and they're little, tiny ones. I can't have the rosin [bag] on the dirt. I've got to kick it on the grass. Then I have to have Chapstick in my right pocket. Other than that, no.
Q. Is your buddy Hanson (1-3 despite a 1.99 ERA) OK with you hogging the run support?
A. [No.] We're in two different positions. He's the No. 1 starter, and he's going to be the first starter I think to go. He's a big prospect and everything. I think when I go up [to the majors], I'll be in the bullpen. I'm fine with that, too.
Q. You're making a name for yourself, too, though.
A. I've done more interviews this year than I have in my whole career. I definitely don't have many where people don't ask about Tommy. That's fine. He's earned all the praise that he's gotten.
Q. You guys are pretty good friends?
A. We've been roommates since rookie ball. We've been together every level pretty much. Everyone is talking about how good he is and all [laughing], but I was in [Class AA] Mississippi when he was still in High-A so, 'Woo.' He caught up to me, I guess you could say.
Q. Can you visualize making the majors now or are you trying not to get ahead of yourself?
A. I'm really trying hard not to think about it. It's AAA. It's the level right before the big leagues. You realize you're almost there. But you try not to get ahead of yourself because it can all change in a second.
Braves' best of the best
Top prospects according to Baseball America:
Rank ..Player............Position....Class
1. ....Tommy Hanson......RHP ........AAA Gwinnett
2. ....Jason Heyward ....OF..........High-A Myrtle Beach
3. ....Jordan Schafer....OF..........Atlanta Braves
4. ....Gorkys Hernandez..OF..........AA Mississippi
5. ....Freddie Freeman ..1B..........High-A Myrtle Beach
6. ....Cole Rohrbough....LHP ........High-A Myrtle Beach
7. ....Jeff Locke........LHP ........High-A Myrtle Beach
8. ....Julio Teheran ....RHP ........Rookie Danville
9. ....Kris Medlen ......RHP ........AAA Gwinnett
10.....Craig Kimbrel ....RHP ........Low-A Rome
Next for Braves
Who: vs. Diamondbacks
When: 7:35 p.m. today
TV; radio: WPCH; 96.1 FM, 640 AM
