Get to Know Twins Draft Pick, RHP Anthony Silvas

[Ted Schwerzler]

One of the smaller school players drafted this year by the Minnesota Twins was 16th round pick Anthony Silvas. Out of Riverside College in California, Silvas is excited to make a name for himself at the next level.

 

Image courtesy of Riverside College Athletics

Anthony Silvas was at Cal Baptist in 2022 alongside fellow Twins draftee Spencer Bengard. He then transferred to Riverside College and put up strong strikeout numbers that dominated opposing hitters. As a power pitcher, he’s an intriguing arm for the Twins to mold at the next level.

Heading to Fort Myers before kicking off his professional career, Silvas couldn’t be more excited about starting this new chapter in baseball. He shared some insight into draft day, his abilities, and who he is.

Twins Daily: After all of these years of hard work, what was draft day like for you? Did you have any idea of where you were going?

Anthony Silvas: I kind of had an idea. Some things did happen to fall back a bit. I expected a late day three or maybe a free agent signing. When the Twins called me in the 12th round, they said they wanted to make a deal happen soon. It was an unbelievable feeling, and then hearing my name called was emotional, very surreal. They called me in the 12th and then the area scout let me know they were working on it.

TD: Putting up strong numbers at Riverside last year, what led to some of that success?

AS: I had a really good fall. I had a terrible summer before and I had to do some things to get the feel back. Going into winter I didn’t take a day off.

TD: On the mound, what does your process look like, and what do you throw?

AS: I’m a four-pitch guy. I have a four-seam fastball, a slider, a circle change, and a curveball. Occasionally I have a two-seam. I consider myself more of a power pitcher, a fastball and slider type of guy. It’s been hard to master the slider and curveball at the same time. The velocity is up there, I sit 94 mph and have topped out around 97 mph.

TD: From a development perspective at the next level, what are you most excited about?

AS: I’m excited for everything! Just to even get there. The training, the housing, the nutrition. Everything that it comes with. I’m excited for it all. Weightlifting, rehab, everything that I’m going into. Seeing guys play, and being a part of the organization in general.

TD: Being from California, what do you know about the Twins organization, state, Target Field?

AS: I’ve only talked to my area scout. As far as the Twins organization, just everything historically is cool. Some of my favorite players were there, like Torii Hunter and David Ortiz (we laughed about how this one still hurts). Realizing those guys got drafted by the same organization, and now I’m a part of it, that’s insane to me.

TD: Outside of baseball, what do you like to do for fun?

AS: I’m usually in the gym every single day. I like working out. Whether it’s a day full of cardio or whatever. I picked up a new hobby. I like to go fishing a lot. It’s something I always wanted to do as a kid but never was able to until this year. I love fishing, I’d do it all day if I could.

Welcome to Twins Territory, Anthony!

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[Doctor Wu]

Thanks for another informative article and interview, Ted! Silvas is yet another pitcher who appears to have some untapped potential. I like the idea of drafting players like him from smaller colleges. One such college, near my old hometown of Orlando, is Stetson University in DeLand. In recent years that little college has turned out pitchers such as Jacob DeGrom and Corey Kluber. Not bad! Just goes to show that you never what sort of hidden treasures you can find in those smaller schools. 

[ashbury]

Guess he doesn't know that Ortiz was not drafted by the Twins (or anybody, but he was a Mariners signing), but he gets an E for Effort.