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Q & A With Mike O’Reilly

September 15, 2017

(Photo Credit: Allison Rhoades/Peoria Chiefs)

Before Brian Morrell was dominating Suffolk County Class A, there was Mike O’Reilly. The 2012 graduate of Shoreham-Wading River won the Carl Yastrzemski Award in his senior year, when he performed like a superhero and smacked two walk-off HRs in the playoffs and struck out 19 batters in the Long Island Championship game.

It’s easy to forget as the years go by, but O’Reilly compiled a career record of 17-3 before going on to attend Flagler College. In 2015, he was named Peach Belt Pitcher of the Conference. He compiled a record of 7-3, with a 2.89 ERA and 94 strikeouts over 93.1 IP. He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 27th round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

Over his first two seasons, he’s actually taken his performance to another level.

Over his first 35 appearances (25 starts) he is 15-4 spanning 182.1 IP. He has compiled an ERA of 2.37 with 170 strikeouts while limiting the opposition to a .223 AVG. On May 20 of this year, he carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning but allowed a bloop single. The 23-year-old already has dominated three levels of the minors (Rookie ball, A-full, A-advanced) in just two minor league seasons. Now, he’s just two levels away from getting the call to the show.

He spoke with Vinny Messana, and here’s what he had to say…

It would be an understatement to say you had a great 2017. You went 12-3 with a 2.34 ERA. What did you do in the off season to prepare for the season? What allowed you to be so successful this season?

Last off season I tried to do everything I could to get ready for the season so I could have the best first full season I could have. I worked out at Infiniti Performance and threw with Neal Heaton all winter, like I have for the last 10+ years and they always do an amazing job at getting me ready. I think the success I had this season was just the result of trying to take things one pitch at a time and just execute the next pitch without thinking about anything else.

You had one of the most memorable playoff runs in Suffolk County history in 2012. When you look back on those days, what are your lasting impressions?

The memories I have of high school baseball are some of the best memories I have. I was lucky enough to play on some really great teams and extremely lucky to play for a coach like Sal Mignano. The playoff run in 2012 is something I’ll definitely never forget.

You went on to have a great career at Flagler–how do you think your experience there prepared you for pro ball?

I had a great experience at Flagler and got to play for some great coaches who did a good job of trying to win games and be competitive in Div-II baseball, but also were very helpful in getting me ready to play at the next level. I think facing hitters in the Peach Belt for four years played a huge part in preparing me for professional baseball.

Who were some athletes you looked up to during your childhood and how about now?

When I was younger I looked up to guys like David Wright and Jose Reyes because I was a met fan. I always liked to watch Justin Verlander pitch as well. Now I look up to a couple pitchers, I like watching Lance Lynn and Matt Harvey because of the way they compete.

The MLB is clearly a few steps away, but what do you feel like you need to improve on before you get a chance?

I try not to think too much or too far ahead. I’m just focusing on getting better this offseason so I can have a good spring training and take that momentum into the 2018 season.

Vinny Messana

Vinny is the President of Axcess Baseball. He is a 2013 graduate of Adelphi University and he is currently the Long Island area scout for the San Diego Padres