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?

David Koons: Everybody on this team has shown this year that they can play and belong here, but Tim Grogan is the best defensive third baseman I have ever seen, he’s really shown me that he can play at higher levels. It’s hard to say what I think he needs to work on, but I think he needs to work on some little things like trying to make some more contact at the plate. However, no one can say that he’s not a very solid defensive player.

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

Koons: Eric Brown has really come alive this year. I really didn’t get an opportunity to play with him last year because I was in Kingsport and he was here. From what everyone’s told me, he’s really improved and he’s doing a great job for us this year.

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? 

Koons: It’s hard to say, but it feels like Jake Ruckle came out of nowhere. He’s been so good for us this year and has been impressive everywhere he’s been in the organization. I know he’s going to have a successful career.

Q: Heading into the offseason, 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?

Koons: I’m coming off of rehab on my knee; I just had ACL surgery, so I just have to get my strength back and get back to where I was conditioning- wise before the injury and get back into the flow of things.

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

Koons: I bring consistency. I don’t walk a lot of people. I throw strikes. Sure, I may give up my fair share of runs from time to time, put I take pride in the fact that I don’t walk a lot of hitters.

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

Koons: I haven’t had a lot of playing time this year because I got hurt, so there’s nothing I could change or really think about. I’m being used sparingly right now because of the injury, so all I can do is try and help the team every time I go out there.

Q: Tells us about your repertoire.  What kind of pitches do you throw and at what speeds?  What is your strikeout pitch?  Which pitch needs the most work?  Is there a pitch you'd like to develop?

Koons: I throw a two-seam fastball, I really don’t like to throw a four-seamer; I prefer the sinking fastball. I also throw a curveball, slider and a changeup. As far as when I throw them, it all depends on what the hitter does with certain pitches. If their early on my fastball, I’ll go more to my off-speed pitches, if their late, then I tend to go more inside, so it basically depends on how each hitter handles my pitches. I’m not working on any new pitches right now, but I am working on some new arm angles and I’m trying to drop down a little more when I pitch.

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

Koons: I really try and model myself after Greg Maddux. I don’t throw overly hard and I use movement to get people out and that’s what he does, so I pay close attention to him when ever I can watch him pitch.