Prospect Report: Ambiorix Concepcion
by: Joe McDonald | Publisher and Editor-in-Chief | Monday, August 30, 2004
 On August 10, 2004, ESPN ran is daily “Web Gems” for the best defensive baseball plays on it’s Major League recap show, Baseball Tonight. Besides the usual great glove work from the Big League level, that night ESPN also showed a great play from the Cyclones game. After the right fielder gloved a single, he threw a bullet to the plate to get the runner out. It was called “Clementesque” and comparisons have been made to Vladimir Guerrero. Yes, the Mets might have something at the Steeplechase as Ambiorix Concepcion is making his mark in baseball.
The 20-year-old outfielder has all the tools to be a star. He can hit (.313 average), has power (8 homers and 45 RBIs in Short Season A), can run (26 steals) and as mentioned above, can field. Concepcion is making his strides by the ocean and one day we may see him play 15 miles north at Shea. He is a star in the making, so MOFO Sports wanted to find out more and sat down with the Mets “Mini Vlad” to ask him a few questions to get to know him a little better. MOFO Sports: Being from the Dominican Republic and now being in Brooklyn. What are the differences you see playing in a city like this? Ambiorix Concepcion: It’s a big city here in New York. There are many Dominicans here. In Dominica, a lot of people love and know baseball. The people go to the stadiums to watch baseball as well. It’s very close when it comes to baseball. It’s a big city here and a little abrasive, but (it’s close). MS: If your favorite player Vladimir Guerrero and is that why you wear number 27? AC: No reason. My favorite player is Manny Ramirez and my teammate got 24. I love Guerrero too and some people tell me I look like him. I’ll take it. MS: You are having a really good season this year. What have you done different to bring up the stats? AC: I did more work. I am working at hitting the breaking ball. When I played last year, I had a problem with the breaking ball. I have been working at it. I have been working with approach too. It’s working out. When I am working out, I see what happens. MS: Do you expect to be up at another level next year, such as Cap City? AC: I don’t know. I don’t think about it. I try to have a good year and play hard everyday. We’ll see next year. MS: You steal a lot of bases. When you are at first base, what do you look for from the pitcher to know you can steal a base off of him? AC: I am looking more at the catcher. I know there are a couple of pitchers that are slow and I try to get a good jump and go. I look to see if the pitcher is slow or (is throwing a) breaking ball or something. MS: What do you think you need to do to improve your game? AC: I need to know more about the game. Sometimes, I throw (to the wrong base) or bad running. I need to be more aware of that. MS: How did it feel to be on the ESPN highlights? AC: I felt really happy. Everybody saw that and everybody now knows about me. They came to me and say, “hey I saw you on Sports Center”. When you are working hard, something happens. MS: How difficult is it to play this right field here compared to other right fields around the league? AC: It’s hard to play here. I check the wind every inning. I see if the wind comes in, the wind comes out, or the wind comes this way. You have to be in the game to play right field here. MS: Tell us something about yourself that not many people know? AC: I don’t know. I play hard. A lot of people think that I am a good player and you will be in the Major Leagues. I don’t think about it, because it’s a long way. Now I am here in Brooklyn. I think I play hard every year. Something happens. MS: Have you enjoyed your time here in Brooklyn? AC: Yeah, I love Brooklyn. When I go back to my house after the season, I know I have to play at Shea Stadium. I enjoy playing the game here. A lot of people are happy when I play well. It’s so hard without support. (It’s helps me) go out and play hard every day. Photo by Joe McDonald.
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