Sean Martin: In a five year Titan career there are literally too many great moments to list.  Each trip to Omaha is special.  The moment the last out is recorded in a Super Regional game you get an amazing rush.  The most memorable game as a Titan was probably our opening game against Nebraska in the 2001 College World Series.  That was the first time Nebraska got to Omaha and the stands were a sea of red.  I believe the 2002 World Series poster has a great view of the stands from overhead, it looked more like a Cornhusker football game.  The other games that stand out are a 2002 regional game at Stanford and a 2003 College World Series game versus Stanford.  In 2002 Stanford won in 13 innings, with Jeremy Guthrie throwing all 13 of them.  I eventually got the loss, not my best Titan moment.  In 2003 Johnny Ash hit a game tying home run in the 7th and Danny Putnam hit a game-winning home run in the 10th inning to end our season. 

 

BE: It's Draft day 2003. What's going through your head?

 

Sean: The draft was not really a huge event in my life.  We had a practice that morning, someone was sitting in the coaches office bringing in updates every time a player got drafted.  After practice a few of us went to the study hall room to check our email and stuff before going home.  I was sitting at the computer reading mail when a couple of teammates came in and told me I had just been drafted.  I was quite shocked, I don't remember ever talking to the Giants scout.  The only team that had really talked to me in the weeks prior to the draft was the Padres.  I had no clue when or where, or even if, I would get drafted, but I was very happy with what happened.

 

BE: In your initial professional experience after signing in 2003, what are the most obvious adjustments you had to make from the college game?

 

Sean:  The jump from college to minor leagues did not seem that great until my second season.  The obvious difference of a wood bat is enormous as a pitcher.  Being able to pitch inside is a great advantage, and that is practically taken away at the college level.  Even when a player gets jammed in college, a metal bat can produce a hit.  With a wood bat, getting jammed, or a ball off the end, is virtually a sure out.  The majority of the players in short season were just drafted out of college, therefore it seemed like pitching against a great college lineup. 

 

BE: What did you learn in your first full-season experience in the South Atlantic League last year, a season which ended for you in the California League playoffs?

 

Sean:  After playing a full season in 2004, I have noticed many more differences than the college game.  The amount of games played, 140 to 65, makes the season almost seem endless.  Also playing every day takes a little while to get accustomed to.  As a reliever in college, I could throw almost every game without a problem.  My arm could get a rest during the week and never get worn out.  In the minors, there is a chance I could pitch every single day.  There is also no real down time, so you have make sure you stay in good shape so your arm doesn't get fatigued.  I struggled with that a little in the middle of this past season.  I was not prepared for just how many innings I might throw.  Going from 35 innings in college to almost 95 in a minor league season is a big jump.  Now I will be better prepared for this season, as I have seen just how strenuous a professional season can be on a player.

 

A minor league season is also more geared towards individuality, in every aspect of baseball.  In college there are practices every week.  Coaches have more opportunity to work hands on with players, especially in the fall.  At Fullerton we had schedules for practice weeks in advance.  Bullpen and throwing were scheduled and almost always followed.  Running was done mostly during practice and was done in front of the coaching staff.  Scouting reports were detailed and covered before games so players were ready for the opposition's strengths.

 

In professional baseball all of that changes.  There is no such thing as practice during the season.  Drills are done before batting practice, which is the only time available to work on the fundamentals.  Development and coaching is done mostly through game experience.  The only other time to work on new pitches or mechanics is during batting practice, which is a problem if you are going to pitch in that game.  Relievers basically have no clue when they will pitch during the season, we can go days without throwing, then pitch three days in a row.  Bullpens did not exist much for relievers, getting warmed up for an appearance is the closest thing to an actual bullpen session.  Running is scheduled by the trainer, but in the Giants organization it is up to you to follow the routine.  Scouting reports are also handled more by each player.  It is up to us to keep records and look for weaknesses in hitters for future meetings.  Basically, each player is responsible for getting themselves better in the minors.  In college, coaches take that responsibility. 

 

BE: What are your aspirations for the 2005 season?

 

Sean: Hopefully 2005 can be a breakout year for me.  I try not to look too far ahead, but I know I have to continue to pitch well to move up.  The Giants are a great organization and reward deserving players.  Therefore, as long as I produce, I will have a future with the Giants.  Wherever I get sent this year, I simply want to pitch well and find a way to get a promotion sometime during the season.  That should be my goal every year, pitch well and get called up.