Baby-Bombers.com Q&A with Ryan Zink

Baby-Bombers.com gets a chance to talk with alumni RHP

By: Robert Pimpsner

April 15, 2008 – The New York Yankees drafted Ryan Zink out of the University of Illinois-Chicago in the 17th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft with the 544th pick.  The right-hander posted a 24-12 record with UIC with 208 career strikeouts and 3.32 ERA.  After signing with the Yankees he was assigned to the Staten Island Yankees to begin his professional career.

Zink split the 2007 season between the starting rotation and the bullpen where he posted a 6-1 record to lead the team in wins.  In 47.1 innings pitched he posted a 3.23 ERA while striking out 39 batters.  In 2008 the right-hander was held back in extended-spring training to begin the year.

What have you been working on in Extended Spring Training?

At the end of the first week of spring training I suffered a leg injury that ended up costing my just short of three weeks getting back healthy.  As I have been working on some mechanical things pertaining to direction, I have focused the majority of my attention towards competition aspect.  This has included concentrating on specifics in both the physical and mental games that arise when on the mound.

What was your favorite part of the 2007 season? Least favorite?

Favorite:  Being given the opportunity to pitch in the 1st playoff game against Brooklyn at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.  With it being the playoffs, it made the rivalry that much more relevant.  The atmosphere was absolutely electric.

Least Favorite:  Losing the next day to Brooklyn to end our season.

What professional ballpark do you enjoy the most playing in?

In high school I was selected to play in a game at Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers.  The place is absolutely amazing if you’re just a spectator, getting to play there made it that much better.  Since becoming a Yankee, in my short history, Richmond County Bank Ballpark has been easily my favorite.

Which one of your fellow prospects has impressed you the most?

I would have to say that my former SI Yankee teammate Ryan Pope is the most impressive.  The kid can flat out pitch!  Especially coming from a small school like he did, you’d think that there would have been, or even still be a lag in adjusting to the competition level.  Not only has there not been any such lag, but he has done nothing but shine on every stage thus far.

What do you hope to accomplish during the 2008 season?

Personally, it’s my goal to just keep improving my game.  If I’m able to look back, month after month, and tell myself honestly that I’ve improved in the part of my game that I had been working on, id say id be very satisfied.  With that aside, I saw the ring ceremony that down here at spring training, where the members of the GCL and Trenton teams received their rings.  I want to win a championship, for whatever team that might be for.

What major leaguer would you compare yourself too?

Ha-ha, I have NO clue!!  I guess I’ve never thought about that.

In 2007 you had a 2.90 ERA at home as apposed to a 3.86 ERA on the road.  Did you find it better to pitch at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark then at opposing team's parks?

Don’t get me wrong, with the facilities in Staten Island as good as they are, it’s hard to not be in a great position to succeed when you are pitching there.  When breaking down my season, there was about a month where it really didn’t matter whether I was at home or away, I was struggling.  I think it just worked out that I made most of my appearances at home at the beginning and end of the season when I had really gotten into a rhythm.

During the 2007 season you split time between the rotation and the bullpen.  Would you prefer to start or be a reliever?

To be totally honest, I have no real preference.  As a starter, it’s nice to know when you’re going to get the ball, and knowing that for the majority of the time the game is yours.  But the rush you get when you’re a reliever, and get to come into the game, when it’s on the line is awesome.  It is definitely enough to counter the convenience and control that starting provides.  When push comes to shove, I just like being in the middle of that diamond pitching that pill no matter what the situation!