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AngelsWin.com's Exclusive Interview with Angels 2021 First Round Pick Sam Bachman


Chuck

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Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas

By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com

October 20th, 2022

We spoke with Sam Bachman on the final weekend of the regular season about his first full year of professional ball with the Trash Pandas, how he had to deal with injuries, what were his finest moments over the past couple years, what draft day was like and much more, including learning a little bit about Bachman's personal life and hobbies. 

Bachman is the first player out of Miami University to be selected in the first round of the draft. He was a top ten pitcher in NCAA Division I and has a fastball that reached 100 mph. Make sure to check out Draftkings Ohio and follow this Miami of Ohio standout as he looks promising as he works toward his rookie season in the MLB.

Sam talked about what draft day was like for him in our interview, here's Bally Sports West capturing the moment for Sam with his family and friends. 

Here's Bachman's cleanest outing of the 2022 season over four scoreless innings. 

Click on the video below to see our interview with the Angels 2021 first round pick, Sam Bachman.

Interview Transcript

AngelsWin.com: Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com. I’m here with Sam Bachman. How’re you doing, Sam?

Sam Bachman: Good. How are you?

AngelsWin.com: Good. Hey, so first off, what’s it been like to be a part of this Trash Panda playoff run that you guys on this year?

Sam Bachman: Yeah, it’s been super fun. You know, a lot of new guys; a lot of new faces. And, you know, it’s just awesome to compete with these guys, and, you know, it’s taken us so far. And we should keep doing it through the playoffs.

AngelsWin.com: Nice. So, I know this goes back a year, but what was draft day like for you?

Sam Bachman: It was a very special moment, very surreal. It happened so fast; it still really hasn’t set in. You know, you get drafted; it’s just back to square one. So, you just try to keep on the ladder and keep doing my thing.

AngelsWin.com: Did you know the Angels were interested in you?

Sam Bachman: I had a Zoom call with them, like, a week before the draft, but that was their only point of contact with that point that year.

AngelsWin.com: What will Angels’ fans come to learn about you the player and the person?

Sam Bachman: Yeah. I’m a competitor; I like to think I have a really good work ethic, and do everything I can in my control. And then, as a person, you know, I’m a very giving person; I like to be a good teammate, yeah.

AngelsWin.com: Okay. Tell us a little bit about your repertoire: your pitches, fastball velo.

Sam Bachman: Two-seam, it’s, like, 92-95. Changeups, mid to upper 80’s as well as a slider.

AngelsWin.com: Okay. I know you battled some injuries this year. Do you feel like any of those injuries have hampered anything, you know, with your—

Sam Bachman:  Definitely. You know, when you got the workload built up, and you’re throwing year-round, the stuff picks up. And it’s, kind of, been really spotty this year as far as being out there consistently. You know, I get three weeks, four weeks, and then lower back spasms and upper back spasms and some stuff like that. So, it’s been really difficult. But, you know, I think I’m in a good spot right now where we’re moving forward. I think we got everything taken care of. It’s just, kind of, growing pains, your first year of pro ball.

AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Yeah. What do you feel like you need to work on to make it to the big leagues?

Sam Bachman: Just stay healthy—

AngelsWin.com: Yeah.

Sam Bachman: Keep competing; doing what I was drafted for, and, you know, the rest will take care of itself. It’s about being healthy and stuff.

AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Are you left to your own devices in terms of workout, diet, things you need to work on, pitching mechanics, all that? Or do the Angels have a plan for you?

Sam Bachman: The Angels have a plan for everything. So, it’s really nice to talk to dietician, you know, pitching coordinators, pitching coaches, the whole staff. You know, everyone’s got really good stuff; they’re knowledgeable. And, you know, it’s easy to, kind of, lean on them for that.

AngelsWin.com: Who’s impressed you the most as far as your teammates, and an opposing player that you’ve had to face in this league?

Sam Bachman: It’s really fun watching Chase Silseth. I mean, every time he’s on the mound, it seems unfair for the other opposing team—

AngelsWin.com: [laugh]

Sam Bachman: —Watching players, I think Elly De La Cruz, pretty talented player. It would be cool to see him. So, yeah.

AngelsWin.com: Yeah, I hear that a lot about De La Cruz. So, what has been your best game, most memorable game to date, college or professional ball?

Sam Bachman: I’d say my second start in college ball was pretty good. It was the first time I hit a milestone, 100 miles an hour. I think this last start that I had was very eye-opening for me. I learned a lot about myself, you know, going through, kind of, some aches and pains and stuff. And that was, like, kind of, my first outing where I felt very in control. So, that was awesome.

AngelsWin.com: Awesome. So, talk to us a little bit about that outing. What was it about it that—was it the fact that you went longer? You went six innings that start, right? Did you feel like you had more left in the tank going into the sixth inning, or were your pitches just working for you better that day?

Sam Bachman: Just command of all pitches; I limited a lot of damage. So—I don’t know—I gave up eight or nine hits and only gave up three or four earned. So, I was happy that I was able to keep my team in the game, and, you know, keep us in the win column is all.

AngelsWin.com: Absolutely. When did you first commit to playing baseball?

Sam Bachman: What do you mean?

AngelsWin.com: When you first started playing ball, how old were you?

Sam Bachman: Oh, like, three or four, at a church Tee-ball league.

AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Oh, there you go. [Laugh] 

Sam Bachman: Yeah, Dad was a coach. You know, you go to church. After, you get to play some Tee-ball; play some games with some other guys. So, it was fun.

AngelsWin.com: Oh, that’s cool. Who do you model your game after when you’re on the mound?

Sam Bachman: Nobody really. I like to just bring my own energy, you know? I learn a lot of different stuff from as far as mentally goes from a lot of different players. You know, everyone wants to be Max Scherzer intensity. Sometimes, I like to, you know, keep the energy a little, like, mellow out a little bit; sometimes, you get too hyped up. Yeah, I watch, as far as the physical stuff, I like to watch Luis Castillo, the two seamer-changeup-slider combo. I think it’s very similar. So, I like to, kind of, see how he pitches against guys at the big-league level.

AngelsWin.com: Nice. Growing up, did you have a favorite baseball team, a major league baseball—

Sam Bachman: The Reds.

AngelsWin.com: The Reds, okay. Favorite player?

Sam Bachman:  Not really. Maybe Pete Rose.

AngelsWin.com: There you go. Okay.

Sam Bachman: Yeah.

AngelsWin.com: Okay, real quick; lightning round. Favorite movie?

Sam Bachman: Pass on that one.

AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Okay. Favorite song or artist?

Sam Bachman: Mostly, a lot of rap; some country.

AngelsWin.com: So, just, kind of, whoever’s on. Huh?

Sam Bachman: Whoever’s on, yeah. There’s so much music right now in my head, that, like—

AngelsWin.com: [laugh] 

Sam Bachman:  —I don’t know which one to go with.

AngelsWin.com:  [laugh] Fair enough. Favorite video game?

Sam Bachman: The new Call of Duty is coming out—

AngelsWin.com: Call of Duty?

Sam Bachman:  It’s going to be a big one. Playing Invader right now.

AngelsWin.com: That was Silseth’s favorite game.

Sam Bachman: Yeah.

AngelsWin.com: What’s a perfect day look like for you away from baseball?

Sam Bachman: A lot of fishing, hunting, just downtime with family, good food—

AngelsWin.com: There you go.

Sam Bachman:  —Can’t complain.

AngelsWin.com:  When you’re done playing baseball, have you thought about what your next career will look like?

Sam Bachman: Skiing, professional skiing.

AngelsWin.com: There you go; [laugh] nice.

Sam Bachman: Yep.

AngelsWin.com: Downhill skiing? There you go.

Sam Bachman: Yeah.

AngelsWin.com: Yeah, awesome. Well, Sam, thank you so much for your time today.

Sam Bachman: No problem. 

AngelsWin.com: Best of luck.

Sam Bachman: Thank you—

AngelsWin.com: Yep.    

Sam Bachman: Appreciate it.

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