Interview with Blue Sox outfielders Mitch Dening and David Kandilas

Before the rain fell down on Blacktown Olympic Park on Saturday, drowning any hope of the Aces and Blue Sox taking the field, I had a chance to sit down with Blue Sox up-and-comers Mitch Dening and David Kandilas to talk about their progress this year, life on the road, playing every day in the States, and their hopes for 2011. Both Kandilas and Dening have had solid starts to the ABL season - both in offense and defense, and both will be looking to have a productive and positive season in 2011.

As at Saturday, David Kandilas was leading the way for Sydney with a .333 average and four RBIs. He was  second in the league in on base percentage, with .463 - having picked up six walks in addition to his hits, with only one strikeout. He has also swiped three bases. Kandilas was signed by the Rockies as a teenager and, now 20, he has played two seasons of Rookie Ball.

Mitch Dening has a couple of years on Kandilas, and has four years of minor league experience in the Red Sox organisation. So far this season he has gone 13 for 46 (.250) with two doubles, one home run and six RBIs.

The Blue Sox warm up before the Aces doubleheader

Since Dening and Kandilas have had a couple of years overseas, I asked them what it was like to be back playing baseball in Australia. They are both enjoying the league here, and they commented that playing in the ABL is a lot more relaxed than overseas - there is less pressure, less travel and a more relaxed, positive feeling about the league. However, even though they have a respite from some of the day to day rigours of the US summer, neither Dening nor Kandilas is treating their time at home as a holiday. Dening is working hard towards improving his strength and power for next season, and Kandilas is working on strength and fitness.

One of the big differences between the ABL and US minor league baseball is that US leagues play every day. Kandilas played about 30 regular season games last year, and Dening played about 120. Plus each played around 20 games in Spring Training. Both players agree that it is fantastic to play every day, but they also know it is a tough slog. Dening talked about the fact that so much time is spent traveling and training, and it is difficult to eat well and stay fresh. Kandilas also lamented at the 'ten hour bus drives' and talked about how he had improvised a small mattress to catch some sleep on the long bus trips. 

The hard work is worthwhile though, as there are plenty more opportunities to get noticed. Although they are playing in the lower levels of professional baseball, both Dening and Kandilas found there were big fan bases and crowds at their US games. 'Being in the Red Sox organisation, you get big crowds. There are Red Sox fans everywhere', said Dening, whose team the Salem Red Sox regularly had crowds of around 5,000 last year. Kandilas said that the Rockies were not quite as popular, but there were definitely big fan bases.

Dening did some work with the Boston Red Sox Major League squad during spring training last year, and his progression through four levels of minor league baseball in four seasons confirms that his performance and growth is being recognised. He said it is really beneficial having Australian connections in the Red Sox organisations. 'It's great having guys like Jon Deeble [Australian coach] and Craig Shipley [Australian former Major Leaguer] involved with the Red Sox. They help out us Aussies and can mention our names in meetings and help us get noticed'. 

Mitch Dening on Blacktown Olympic Park

Both Kandilas and Dening are looking to demonstrate their commitment and work ethic in their time in Australia, and expect their US-based teams to notice. Dening said he is looking to improve his strength. 'I need to start to drive the ball harder and hit some more home runs rather than hitting for average', he said. 'Obviously the higher you climb in the leagues, the harder it gets', said Dening, and for this reason it is more important to hit with power. Dening was modest when asked about his chances for promotion again this year, saying that he doesn't 'expect' it, but that he hopes that the Red Sox will see the hard work he has put in during the off-season and look to reward him. He said that there can be a lot of pressure as 'once you have shown you can perform at one level, they expect it then, you have to keep improving', he said. 

For his part, Kandilas is taking it one step at a time. He is hoping to get some greater exposure next year, and to step up to the Class A full season league.

When asked about the quality of the competition in the ABL, Dening remarked that it is close to the standard experienced in the US. Both Dening and Kandilas noted that some of the pitching they have faced has been strong. 'There are quite a few pitchers who throw hard,' Dening said. 'Adam Blackley throws hard, Ryan Searle throws hard, the Brisbane bullpen is pretty good, and some of the Japanese pitchers we've faced have been tough too'.

Thanks to Mitch and David for taking time out to chat with me, and thanks also to the Blue Sox for arranging it all. I also had a quick chat to Blue Sox GM Eddie Bray, who was working hard to get things ready pre-game, however was kind enough to introduce himself. It sounds like things are going well with the Blue Sox, and Eddie has been gathering some ideas for making improvements in 2011.

All up, both guys presented as very focused and driven and it will be exciting to see what they can produce in 2011. It is clear that Dening knows what he wants - to play big league baseball - and he is prepared to put his head down and work hard to get there. Kandilas was quiet and pretty unassuming young guy, who obviously enjoys his baseball and is happy to take it as it comes at the moment. These two guys represent some of Australia's top prospects, and we will be sure to keep an eye on them through the 2011 season.

Postscript - I asked Dening about about the Bowman baseball card which is printed with his name and stats, but with Chris Snelling's picture:

Bowman 2009 error card

It is standard fare for Topps to print error cards - either through 'strategy' or ineptitude. Either way, Dening was not all that impressed by this effort. He said that he has seen the card and have had a few people ask him to sign it. He was pleased that Bowman have brought out another card which has got his photo on it, as he was pretty annoyed when he first learned of the card. In saying that, he was also quick to mention that Snelling was 'a great guy' and he had a great time hanging out with his fellow Central Coaster at the World Baseball Classic.