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BLACKSBURG - Former Virginia Tech pitcher Joe Mantiply has been selected to play for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the 2014 Arizona Fall League, which begins action on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Mantiply, who is in the Detroit Tigers organization, was promoted to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves late this season and compiled an overall 6-3 record with nine saves this past summer.

Below is a Q&A with the Danville, Virginia native, who is the only Hokie to be drafted three times in the MLB June draft. Here is a link to his AFL bio page.

Q: How does a player (how did you) get invited to the Fall League?
JM: “I'm not completely sure how, but every year each organization sends around 6 or 7 guys from their minor league system to participate. Most of the guys that are selected have had success during their time in the minors and it is just an opportunity to go face better competition and get in front of more scouts and front office personnel.”

Q: Last year you were a starter, this year you are in the bullpen guy – as a closer. Is that where the organization sees you going forward?
JM: “Yeah they started me out this season in the bullpen and I think there was a small chance they were gonna see how I did as a starter but our minor league system is packed with good starting pitching and I had success out of the pen so I think the plan is to keep me in that role!”

Q: How's that transition (starter to bullpen) been for you?
JM: “It was definitely different! I experienced a little bit of the bullpen when I was a freshman in college. The biggest adjustment for me was getting into a consistent routine! As a starter you have the same routine every week, out of the pen you never really know when you are going to come in the game so you have to be ready to get going quickly and get mentally prepared to go in and perform at a high level right away!”

Q: Late this season, you were promoted to Double-A, did you expect that at all?
JM: “No I didn't see that coming at all! I figured I was going to finish the season in West Michigan because we were fighting to win the playoffs. When they called me up to Double-A I was shocked!”

Q: How do you feel this experience will help in your development?
JM: “This experience is going to be a very crucial stepping stone for me! The competition out here is the highest level you face in the minor leagues! The majority of the guys in this league will play in the big leagues and a substantial number of current big leaguers played in this league! Being picked by Detroit to represent them is a huge honor and I couldn't be more excited!”

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