Article: Get To Know: RHP Hector Lujan

[Seth Stohs]

Today we will get to know another Twins minor leaguer, and another member of the Minnesota Twins 2015 draft class. Hector Lujan was the Twins 35^th round pick in June out of NAIA Westmont College where he was a teammate of Twins 32^nd pick LHP Andrew Vasquez.

 

In his 2015 Draft Supplemental, Jeremy Nygaard wrote this of Lujan, “His fastball touches 95 mph, and he couples that with an 86 mph slider.”He recently answered some questions from Twins Daily. So continue on to learn a little more about right-handed pitcher Hector Lujan.

 

 

Seth Stohs (SS) Growing up in California, who was your favorite team to follow, and who were some of your favorite players?

 

Hector Lujan (HL): Growing up in Mira Loma, California, my favorite team was the Los Angeles Dodgers while my family were Angels fans. Some of my favorite players during the time were Bartolo Colon, Mariano Rivera, and Orel Hershiser.

(SS): You went to UC-Santa Barbara before going to Westwood College for your junior season. What were some of your favorite moments from you college years?

 

 

 

(HL): Some of my favorite college memories were making a regional with UCSB during my freshman year of college, and then making a regional at Westmont College the year I was drafted. Another favorite moment in my college career was making my first collegiate start against Pepperdine University at UCSB. One more favorite moment from college was being able to compete with a bunch of hardworking teammates and meeting new people and coaches.

(SS): What was your interaction with scouts before the draft? Did you think you might be drafted?

 

 

 

(HL): I had good interaction with scouts. Talking to them, I knew I had a really good chance of being drafted so it pushed me even more to reach my dream in playing professional baseball. Being able to speak with teams about the draft was one of the best moments in my life.

(SS): The Twins took you in the 35th round. How did you find out you had been drafted?

 

 

 

(HL): The way I found out I was drafted was that my scout, Taylor Cameron, from the Twins had texted me in the morning (to see) if I still wanted to sign. So I texted him telling him “yes.” I was. Then a couple hours later while the draft was going on and he texted me if I was listening to the draft. I told, “No, I was watching it on twitter.” He then told me that they took me in the 35^th round. To this day, I remember the excitement I had and the best feeling was that I was with my parents when I found out.

(SS): Was it a difficult decision for you to sign with the Twins versus going back to college for one more year?

 

 

 

(HL): It wasn’t a difficult choice because I had already decided I was going to sign if I was drafted. It was an easy decision, especially with my parents 200% behind me on my decision.

(SS): You and Andrew Vasquez were teammates at UC-SB and at Westmont, and the Twins took him in the 32nd round this year. What can you tell us about Vasquez as a pitcher and a teammate?

 

 

 

(HL): Andrew Vasquez was a great teammate and still is a great teammate and a great friend as well. He lives close to me at home during the offseason. He and I plan on working out together and throwing as well. It was great having him as a teammate both at UCSB and Westmont because we would push each other really hard and had two things on our minds, get drafted and win during our last college season together at Westmont.

(SS): What was the biggest adjustment you had to make, going from amateur/college season to the pro game, on or off the field?

 

 

 

(HL): The biggest adjustments that I had to make was probably getting used to the heat down here in Florida, also being able to maintain my body during the season playing every day. I felt I did a really good job adjusting to this.

(SS): How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? What do you throw? What is your best pitch, out pitch, etc?

 

 

 

(HL): The way I would describe myself as a pitcher would be as a really competitive pitcher. No matter who steps into that box, my plan is to get you out no matter what it takes. Talking to older guys that have pitched in the big leagues or higher minor league levels have told me that, and that is something I have taken into my game as well as to being a smart pitcher and not just a thrower. My best pitch. I would say, is my change up, and my slider I have been working on which I’m still developing more. My pitches will be ready in my arsenal when spring training comes around.

(SS): In these very early stages of your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths as a player?

 

 

 

(HL): My biggest strengths as a player, I would say, are leadership and maturing as pitcher.

(SS): What are the things that you feel you need to improve over the offseason and going forward?

 

 

 

(HL): Somethings that I plan on improving during my offseason are developing my pitches and getting more velocity/movement on my pitches.

(SS): What are your plans for the offseason? (When do you start preparing for the 2016 season, but also what do you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball?)

 

 

 

(HL): My plans for the offseason for starting to prep have already started. I’m really looking forward to starting my throwing program in a couple of weeks and seeing more results of my offseason work pay off. Somethings I really enjoy away from baseball during my offseason is being able to spend time with my parents and family, horseback riding with my father and being able to help my mom at work down at the old elementary school.

(SS): Who are some of the coaches and others who have helped you get to this point in your career?

 

 

 

(HL): Two of the most important people that have helped me get to this point I am right now in my career would be my mother and father. They always stood by me with everything from baseball to school, etc… They would always push me and would always help by playing catch with me to sometimes my father catching my bullpens or running with me after my high school games I pitched. I am really blessed to have parents like them that have always had my back with my career in baseball. Other people that have really helped get me to my professional career would be my three pitching coaches. My high school pitching coach Che Edmonds high, school head coach Chuck Arementa, and my two college pitching coaches UCSB Andrew Checketts and my Westmont pitching coach Tony Cougole. Also my head coach at Westmont College Robert Ruiz. Coach Ruiz gave me the opportunity to pitch for his team at Westmont college before the start of my last college season.

 

 

We would like to thank RHP Hector Lujan for taking the time to answer our questions today. Please feel free to ask questions and comment.

 

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[Squirrel]

Thanks, Seth, for another great article!  Keep them coming ... love this! Also, question ... might you do a few more video intros this coming ST/season like you did a few years ago?