Article: Get To Know: Outfielder LaMonte Wade

[Seth Stohs]

LaMonte Wade turned 22 years old on New Years Day. He was the Twins ninth- round pick just last year out and had a terrific pro debut in Elizabethton before joining the Cedar Rapids Kernels for their deep playoff run. Recently, he spent some time chatting with us, and letting us Get To Know him.Wade grew up in Maryland and was one of the best baseball players in the state coming out of high school. He went undrafted and stayed home, choosing to play for the Maryland Terrapins. He played mostly first base his first two college seasons. Coming into his junior season, he looked to be a Top 5 type of pick and was playing his more natural centerfield, but a broken hamate bone cost him a lot of playing time. He returned late in the year and played well. The Twins were fortunate to be able to select him in the ninth round.

 

He began his pro career in Elizabethton. In 64 games, he hit .312/.428/.506 (.934) with eight doubles, five triples and nine home runs. He was also 12-13 in stolen base attempts. However, in his final 31 games with the E-Twins, he hit .333/.478/.514 (.993) with three doubles, two triples and four home runs. One of the most impressive things, however, was that in that time, he walked 31 times and struck out just 13 times.

 

Following the Elizabethton season, Wade moved up and played in four games for Cedar Rapids. He also played in the outfield for the Kernels throughout their playoff run and had a couple of big hits.

 

Thank you to LaMonte Wade for taking time to give us such thoughtful answers.

 

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

 

LaMonte Wade (LW): My favorite team to follow growing up was the Baltimore Orioles. I would watch their games when I would return home from school every day and occasionally get to a game or two. My favorite player to follow was Ken Griffey Jr.

 

SS: You had a fantastic high school career. What are some of your best memories from those days?

 

LW: My best memory from high school happened my senior year when my brother and I both were a part of the varsity team. Being able to play alongside my brother was a very special moment for me and my family.

 

SS: You made the decision to stay at home and play at the University of Maryland. Was that a difficult decision?

 

LW: The decision for me to attend the University of Maryland was an easy choice simply because I always wanted to be a Terp. My dad attended the university and would always take my brother and me to basketball games. I fell in love with the university at a young age so when the time came for me to choose a school it was an easy call.

 

SS: How frustrating was it to miss weeks of your junior season with injury?

 

LW: When I broke my hamate bone in the middle of the season, I was very disappointed because I knew I was going to miss a lot of games during a point in the season where we were playing a lot of good teams. Being sidelined, not able to help contribute on the field and not traveling with the team was the worst experience of my baseball career.

 

 

SS: Did you have the chance to speak with scouts before the draft? Did you have a sense for where you might be drafted? What was your interaction with the Twins scout?

 

LW: I did have the chance to speak with scouts before the draft, however, I did not really know where I might be or if I would get drafted. The conversation never came down to that question and answer. I had a meeting with Mr. Wilson (Twins scout, John) before the season and then didn't hear from him again until the draft.

 

SS: The Twins took you in the 9th round. How did you find out that you had been drafted? How busy was your phone at that moment?

 

LW: I found out that I had been drafted by the Twins when Mr. Wilson (Twins scout) called and told me, and I was also following the draft online. My phone was constantly ringing from scouts, my agent, and my parents.

 

SS: What was the adjustment like for you from the amateur/college game to the professional game, both on and off the field?

 

 

LW: Going from college ball to pro ball, I would say, the biggest adjustment was getting used to playing every day of the week. In college, we played three games on the weekend, along with one game during the week. Whereas in pro ball, we would play every night so my mind and body had to adjust quickly. As far as off the field, I had to get use to communicating with Latin players which was new to me, along with getting used to living with a host family for such an extended period of time.

 

SS: You put up remarkable numbers at Elizabethton, walking a lot and showing power. Then you got the opportunity to play with the Cedar Rapids Kernels in their playoff run. How would you assess your professional debut?

 

LW: My first year with the Twins I would say was very enjoyable and exciting. I met a lot of good people from players to coaches and staff. I was able to be apart of a playoff run in my first year and learned a lot along the way.

 

SS: At this very early stage of your career, what would you say is your strength?

 

LW: I would say my biggest strength is to be able to have a short memory and never get too high or too low after a good performance or a not-so-good one.

 

SS: What is the area of your game that you would like to spend time working to improve?

 

LW: I will like to improve on every aspect of my game and become a better all-around player that can help contribute to his team in a variety of ways on a consistent basis.

 

SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career?

 

LW: My parents, first and foremost. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. They have always supported me and given me the best opportunities to succeed on and off the field. Also, my college coaches I feel have really prepared me and coached me to become a better player and person.

 

SS: How has the offseason been? What do you do when you’re not playing baseball?

 

 

LW: The offseason has been great. I work out with my brother every day, preparing for spring training. When I am not playing baseball, I like to spend time with friends and family, playing basketball and ping-pong.

 

SS: At what point do you start your preparation for the 2016 season?

 

LW: I took two weeks off after instructs, and from that point on, the preparation begins. I look forward to this upcoming season.

 

SS: Favorite Baseball Movie?

 

LW: My favorite baseball movie is Angels in the Outfield.

 

Again, a big Thank You to LaMonte Wade. He is certainly one to watch in 2016! Feel free to comment and discuss below.

 

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[Monkeypaws]

Kid seems to have his feet firmly on the ground - good prospect.

[Loosey]

He is the type I player I think will move up the system quickly.  Much better player than the average 9th rounder.  Hope to see him in the big leagues in a few years because I think he could be very good.

[clutterheart]

I wonder why the Twins decided to keep him in E-Town for 64 games.  Clearly he was too advanced for that level but they left him down there for what purpose?

 

He hit .335/.453/.468 in college so anything under a .800 OPS at E-town would be a huge red flag.

 

[Seth Stohs]

Cedar Rapids had outfielders and were in the playoffs... E-Town had a playoff chance until late. As soon as their season was over, he moved up. That first pro season is about a lot more than baseball. But, each year 1-2 college draft guys get moved up to Cedar Rapids. 

[clutterheart]

 

Cedar Rapids had outfielders and were in the playoffs...

 

CR outfield was disappointing last year.  After Granite got promoted and Vavra went down, there wasn't much offense out of that group.  I would've liked to have seen Wade get 20 or so games at A ball under his belt.  

 

The Kernels could've used his experienced bat in the lineup.

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

CR outfield was disappointing last year.  After Granite got promoted and Vavra went down, there wasn't much offense out of that group.  I would've liked to have seen Wade get 20 or so games at A ball under his belt.  

 

The Kernels could've used his experienced bat in the lineup.

 

Well, if it's about experience, then guys like Corcino, Diemer, Larson and Murphy all have a year or two more of experience. 

[Bob Sacamento]

Wade's the type of player with a good all around game, good enough to jump a few of those other college OFs ahead of him.  His plate approach and strikezone judgment alone should propel him over a few of those guys.  I think he'll surprise a lot of people in 2016, I guess you could call him a sleeper.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Thanks for doing the interview! I think he moves up quickly to AA (in 2 years or so), then we find out what he can/cannot do. 

[jokin]

 

Thanks for doing the interview! I think he moves up quickly to AA (in 2 years or so), then we find out what he can/cannot do. 

 

Yep, E-Town isn't exactly a great place to properly evaluate a college player. Still, I like that he obviously has/had a solid support group between both parents and his past and present coaches. Kudos to the Twins for finding a true sleeper in the 9th round (still scratching my head that Wade played 1B his first two years with the Terps, all reports say he can play a good CF- He was a good HS pitcher so he has an arm). Hopefully he can make the double move in the two A classes in 2016 and debuts in AA by mid-season in 2017.

 

Looks like his brother is a sophomore at Maryland and might be a sleeper prospect, as well.