In 2005, Bowling Green State University's Nolan Reimold led the NCAA in slugging percentage. Fortunately for O's fans, a mid-season lull led to him still being available in the second round of the amateur draft. Reimold was victimized by a similar situation this season, when he had to take himself out of a game due to a foot injury. After returning, he fell into a brief slump, but he's recently returned to terrorizing Carolina League pitchers. ITW sat down with Reimold to discuss this and much more.

ITW: First off, how’s the foot feeling?

Nolan: Feels good. It’s definitely a lot better.

ITW: Is that something that you’ve had problems with before?

Nolan: That’s the first time it ever bothered me that bad where I had to pull myself out of a game. That was the first time where I missed any playing time.

ITW: After a hot start, you struggled for a little while and you seem to be hitting better again lately. To what do you attribute the struggles?

Nolan: Yeah, I started pressing when I came back. I just worked myself into some bad habits. I’ve been trying to break [the bad habits] and it’s starting to come around for me.

ITW: What kinds of things do the coaches have you working on?

Nolan: I always pull off the ball and that’s one of my biggest problems, so I always try to work on that. I’m tryin to work on going to the opposite field, but that’s something that I’ve been working on a long time. Just little stuff like that.

ITW: What kind of hitter would you classify yourself? Fastball hitter?

Nolan: Everybody’s a fastball hitter. You get a good pitch and everybody’s going to hit it. The big thing for me is, when they do throw the off-speed stuff, don’t swing at it if it’s not a strike.

ITW: Where do you feel more comfortable in the outfield: right field or centerfield?

Nolan: I’ve played right a lot more than I’ve played center so, naturally, right field is a little more comfortable to me.

ITW: Last year, you started out at Aberdeen and ended up here [in Frederick]. How would you describe the gap between the leagues?

Nolan: Better competition, definitely. Guys are just older and know more about the game. The guys have more experience and know how to pitch to you better than the guys down [in Aberdeen].

ITW: How’d it feel batting against Radhames [Liz] in the Future’s game?

Nolan: It was fun. I got up there and he gave me a little smile. I didn’t think we were actually going to face each other, but it worked out to where we did. It was a lot of fun. I’m just happy he didn’t strike me out. He strikes a lot of people out.

ITW: You drove the ball pretty good, but he was able to get you out. Did he razz you a little bit when the game was over?

Nolan: Nah, he didn’t really razz me. He just made a good pitch. I was out in front of it and he popped me up.

ITW: What are your goals for this season and heading into next?

Nolan: Finish strong. I just want to finish strong and get some momentum heading into the off-season.