Ryan Westmoreland was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, a first-round talent that slipped due to his commitment to Vanderbilt. The Red Sox paid Westmoreland a $2 million bonus, and the 18-year old is now ranked the Red Sox’s ninth best prospect on SoxProspects.com. Ryan was gracious enough to answer a few questions…
Where did you learn the patience that you are renowned for at the plate? Who would you attribute your success at the plate to and why?
I can really give all the credit for my success at the plate to my father, Ron. He has coached me from t-ball all the way through high school. Also, Dave Ulmschneider, the head coach at Portsmouth High School has been a great coach and a big part of why I am where I am today.
As a Rhode Island product you have often been compared to Rocco Baldelli. Do you think that’s an accurate comparision and why?
I have heard many people compare me to Rocco, and I think you could say that is a fair statement. I believe we have similar tools, and ever since I started playing the outfield (about 2 years ago — I was always a middle infielder. I switched to the outfield when college recruiters saw that my speed could be used better in the outfield), I’ve always strived to be like Rocco, so its very rewarding to know people make that comparison.
Have you played any baseball with a wooden bat? How are you going to make up for the additional power needed to launch the ball?
Yes, I’ve played a lot with wooden bats. Although RI high school baseball is aluminum, I’ve been playing summer ball (AAU, showcase teams, etc.), and those teams are for the most part wood bat all summer. In order to make the adjustment from metal to wood and get more “pop” out of the bat, I’ll need to focus more on squaring up the ball and hitting it on the barrel of the bat. This is because you can’t get away with little bloopers like you can with metal. With a metal bat, a blooper to right that falls in for a hit will be a pop out to the second basemen with a wooden bat.
What do you prefer to do — hit or pitch? You’re being drafted to play as an outfielder but you also pitched a perfect game earlier this year.
Growing up, I grew to love both pitching and hitting. I was committed to Vanderbilt as a 2-way player, but I was drafted as an outfield (primarily CF). I think if I had to choose, I like playing the outfield better because pitchers throw every 2-5 days whereas an outfielder will often be in the lineup mostly every game. So I like the fact that I was drafted as an outfielder because it will give me a chance to hopefully get out there every day.
Why are you playing outfield instead of being a pitcher?
The reason that I will end up being an outfielder rather than a pitcher is the Red Sox want to utilize my foot speed in the outfield, rather than if I was a pitcher my foot speed would be, in a way, a waste.
Would you consider yourself a vocal team leader or someone who doesn’t make waves and has everyone do their own thing?
I definitely can say that I’m not a vocal leader. I’d say the way I lead is by example. I don’t think yelling and being vocal is necessary in a leader. Someone who consistently does the right thing and gets noticed in a good way by teammates is just as valuable as the vocal leader is.
What would you say is your biggest dream? Landing a huge contract, becoming an All-Star, etc?
As far as my goals, they will come one at a time. To start, the main task at hand is to get to the big leagues. To work hard every day in the minors, and work my way up the ladder. It’s not going to be anywhere near easy, but if time and effort is put in, it can be done. Once you’re in the bigs, it’s a bonus from there. Sure I’d love being an All-Star, world series champion, and lead the league in something, but I’m really only focused on getting to Fenway Park right now.
What pitcher would you love to face for your major league debut and why?
I don’t think there’s really one pitcher I’d like to get my debut against, but I would love if he pitches for the Yankees. I’ve grown up a die hard Sox fan and I don’t think there would be anything better than to get a big hit in my MLB debut off of a Yankee pitcher!
Have the Red Sox told you what they plan to do with you in the short term? What to work on, where you will report and so on?
The Sox haven’t told me about what I’m doing next year, but here is the plan for the near future: September 21 is the start of Instructional League in Ft. Myers and that is basically individual training with the staff. That will run until October 12. Next is the offseason which will go until February or so. And lastly is spring training which is where the teams will be split up and I’ll know a lot more from there.
Many thanks to Ryan! We’re all looking forward to watching him progress through the minor leagues, I’m sure!
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evanbrunell: 
alexconvery: 
CharlieSaponara: 
Good stuff. What was great to see was his performance (.557, 4 homeruns in 61 ab’s, 12-12 sb in a wood bat league) this summer with the Bayside Yankees against better college age competition. Looking forward to following him next spring.
Thanks. Plenty more prospect interviews coming your way…
I’m definitely excited about this Westmoreland kid. Have to temper our enthusiasm, though, and realize he’s just 18. We won’t see him in the bigs for a good while.
Awesome! Always good to see a New England kid this talented in the system. I remember Callis or Law saying in a chat that his speed was just slightly below Ellsbury level, but he probably has the potential for more power. I would love to see him develop Drew type power and maybe move to a corner. If he develops quickly enough how sick would it be to have an outfield of Ellsbury, Reddick, and Westmoreland in 2012. That is a ton of ground covered, not a lot bloops falling in between those 3.
That would probably be the best outfield in the major leagues.
Yeah really hard not to get excited even if he is 18. He’s still pretty advanced for a High School hitter and he’s one of the best cold-weather prospects to come around in a while. I would love to see him add some bulk because with his tools and swing he does have a pretty nice power ceiling. Him Reddick and Ellsbury would make a great outfield for years, with the amount of ground each of those three cover it’s going to be awful hard for opposing teams to find the gaps, not to mention with Reddick and Westmoreland’s cannons very few are going to attempt to stretch out doubles. I know I’m dealing with a lot of hypotheticals and its a long ways away, but I can’t help but think about it and be happy.
This was a great draft for the Red Sox even without Meyer and Marquis. They doled out a lot of cash, but aside from maybe KC they had the best draft despite picking at the back end. Kelly, Westmoreland, Hissey, Gibson and Price are all great players to have in the pipeline. I also think Kyle Weiland could be an intriguing bullpen option in the future. Really good job by the front office and scouting department especially since last year’s draft has been a bit disappointing (although Lin and Almanzar look like good IFA signings)
random nugget… his father was also my project manager’s legion coach
i played with westmoreland for years. I won a state championship with him. he is a natural athlete who would astonish people when you watched him play any sport. he has a long path ahead of him, way before even being considered as an elite red sox outfielder. He needs direct coaching on his swing mechanics, expecially if he is going to be successful in the minors, not just average. hes a good adaptive player and will find his way anywhere he plays. But, he has played only some “kind of” challenging high school teams. He is a relatively new outfielder. And obviously pros hit balls a little harder and run a little faster than in high school. Ryan has a full tool belt at his side and a butt load of ambition. If he corrects what he knows he must and continues to progress with his already stellar athletic ability I am sure we will see ryan playing OF in 2012 or 2013.
Ryan congratulations. Best of luck. Go get your dream.
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Good luck Westy!!! I hope you get better soon, when you do get better don't work yourself out too hard. Play like you did in high school, you were absolutely amazing!!! Keep playing hard!
Stick with your dreams Westy, never give up!
hes not as good as everyone thinks. hes decent