Baseball has begun in Everett! Tuesday April 8th, the AquaSox began their first home series of the season against the rival Hillsboro Hops. It was a cold April night in Everett, and every fan was bundled up but excited to see their team.
Seattle Sports Union were lucky enough to chat with the new center fielder, Tai Peete. He’s a remarkable young man at 19, young for this level of the organization. He’s trying a new position this year, as he had previously only played in the infield. Drafted right out of high school, he’s putting on quite a showing and proving why he’s advanced so far at a young age. That same cold that the fans were bundled up for hadn’t slowed him one bit, as he’d stolen a base and scored a run that night.
SSU: So, I hear you’re from a small town?
TP: I’m from Georgia, a little south of Atlanta. Riverdale, Georgia. Very, very small town. I mean, we have one stoplight and it doesn’t even have red, green, or yellow. It just blinks.
SSU: When did you start playing baseball?
TP: Three. Three years old? Yeah. Playing for 16 years, so it’s been a little bit.
SSU: What inspired you to play baseball?
TP: My family, my dad, my mom.
SSU: For High School you went to Trinity Christian? Do you have a favorite baseball moment there?
TP: Well, my best friend was on the team, so that was fun. Traveling around, the Bus rides were fun. Yeah. We had a good team.
SSU: Are you more of an infielder or an outfielder?
TP: Yeah, this is my first year as an outfielder. I played infield my whole career.
SSU: Do you like it?
TP: Yeah, I do. I like it a lot. I actually love it out there.
SSU: How’d you get so fast?
TP: Dude, it’s mental. I mentally got faster. I told myself I’d be faster. I woke up and I was faster.
SSU: Growing up, did you have a favorite baseball player you modeled your game after?
TP: Lindor. Francisco Lindor is my favorite player, and he still is. But I don’t really model my game after him. I just liked the way he played.
SSU: So, you were drafted out of High School. Were you planning going to college and changed plans when drafted?
TP: No. I came to play baseball.
SSU: Did you know the Mariners were after you?
TP: Yeah. I had conversations with McKay and all the guys beforehand. I was pretty familiar with the organization.
SSU: Where were you on draft day when you heard you were drafted?
TP: I was in my basement playing pool with my dad, and then I had my family there. Yeah, it was nice. I had an idea of where I was going, so it was cool.
SSU: What’s it like being drafted to Major League Baseball at the age of 17?
TP: It’s good, man. It’s good to get into pro ball early, put your name down, you know, get with the flow. I think it matures you more. You know going to college, obviously you get that experience, but coming here as such a young kid. You’re hanging around these older guys, and it definitely matures you. It makes you a better person.
SSU: Last year you played with Modesto. What was it like playing on a championship team?
TP: It was fun! We had a good group of guys, kind of the same guys here. So you know, being able to play with the same guys going throughout the course of the organization with them. It’s great.
SSU: Manager Zach Vincej came up with you, right?
TP: Yeah, he’s great. Great guy! It’s awesome being led by him. And if anyone could lead the team, it’d be him.
SSU: What was your first impression coming to Everett?
TP: It’s a little frisky here! But you know, it’s not too bad. I like the field and the location. I went to Seattle a couple times. It’s pretty nice. It’s a beautiful place, beautiful state. I hear it’s even nicer in the summer. I look forward to July.
SSU: What do you like to do in your free time when you guys aren’t practicing or playing?
TP: When we’re practicing? Mess with Charlie. Mess with Charlie and Carson. (laughs) But in my free time, I golf and I bowl. I bowl a lot, so I’ll probably check out evergreen lanes around here.
SSU: How about joining a new team like Everett? While it’s a lot of the same players as last year, there’s a bunch of different players. Was it difficult to gel as a team? You guys all seem to get along well!
TP: No, we get along great! Good communication throughout the team and just a great organization. They know how to keep their players in check and teach, while having a good time. So, it’s like we’re just having fun out here. We’re just playing baseball.
SSU: A fan favorite question, what’s your favorite ice cream?
TP: Vanilla. I’m big on vanilla. I’m big on ice cream. Okay. I’m a big sweets fan. I’m the sweet tooth on the team. The sweet tooth guy. I don’t know why people like chocolate. Vanilla, you know, it’s simple. I’m a simple guy.
Simple guy indeed! The Frogs have a center fielder this year that’s a bit reserved off the field, but when he’s on the field, he’s anything but! Fans will definitely enjoy Tai’s passion on the field and basepaths this season at Funko Field. We look forward to him learning the ins and outs of the unique outfield here in Everett this summer!
Go Frogs!
