Q: Which position player on the Cyclones team do you think has the highest ceiling and why?  What do you like about his game and what do you think he needs to work on the most in order to develop into a big leaguer?

Teddy Dziuba: Dustin Martin. He’s a five-tool player that gives his all every night. He hits to all fields, for power and average and has a plus arm and great speed. All he has to do is be more consistent, because with all that raw talent and heart, it’s going to be pretty hard for him not to make it.

Q: Which pitcher do you think has the highest big league upside and why?

Dziuba: Joe Smith. He’s moving through the system very fast and not many people can throw 92 from down low like that. He’s just got a bulldog mentality. On the days he’s scheduled to pitch, he’s very quiet and goes about his business, but you can tell he’s really thinking about the game. He’s a real competitor.

Q: Who do you think is the biggest sleeper prospect, position prospect or pitcher?  Who do you think will fly under the radar, doesn't get the attention he deserves, but will become a quality big leaguer? 

Dziuba: Tobi Stoner. He’s got a lot of strikeouts and his ball cuts like crazy. He might not have a 95 mph fastball, but he’s another guy who’s a bulldog out there, he throws his slider for strikes and he’s really tough to pick up. He’s going to get somewhere someday.

Q: Heading into the off season, what do you need to work on the most to be ready for next season and what will you be doing to work on it?

Dziuba: I’m really looking forward to spring training. I’m going to get bigger, stronger and faster and really condition myself during the off season. I think what it’s really going to take for me to move to the next level is to learn to hit the ball to the opposite field.

Q: What would you say is your biggest strength as a ball player?  What do you bring to the field and to your team?

Dziuba: I like to think I’m a good receiver and I call a good game behind the plate. I like building a relationship with the pitching staff and I’m confident that when I’m behind the plate the team has a chance to win every night and the pitchers are comfortable throwing to me.

Q: What did you think of your season this year?  How do you think it went for you?

Dziuba: It’s been a letdown obviously. It’s a very competitive atmosphere around here and everyone is expected to win. Guys like me and Jake Eigsti really haven’t had the opportunity we should have, but at the same time, we’ve had the chance to play in a great environment in front of great fans. For this to be my first exposure to pro baseball has been a lot of fun. Hopefully next year, I can come back a little stronger, make a full season roster and get to work.

Q: To give our fans a better idea of the type of player you are, who would you compare your game to at the Major League level and why?

Dziuba: Bob Natal. He’s one of our rovers in the Mets organization. He played six years in the Majors for the Marlins and the Expos. He’s a guy like me, he comes from a small Division III school like I do and he was willing to work his way up and grinded it out all the way through. If someday someone considered me to be like him, I’d be very flattered.