SARASOTA, Fla. -- As part of MLBPipeline.com's visit to all 30 Spring Training facilities this month, we will be sitting down with prospects and getting to know them a little better. At Orioles camp, it was No. 5 prospect Chance Sisco.
Chance Sisco has done nothing but hit since being selected by the Orioles in the second round of the 2013 Draft. He hit .371 during his pro debut in the Rookie Gulf Coast League after signing, and then claimed the South Atlantic League batting title the following year in his full-season debut, when he hit .340 as a 19-year-old at Class A Delmarva. He hit over .300 once again in 2015, this time in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, and received a mid-August promotion to Double-A, where he won an Eastern League championship as a member of the Bowie Baysox.
MLBPipeline.com: After a long season that saw you play into November in the Arizona Fall League, how do you feel physically this year in your first official big league camp?
Sisco: I worked hard this offseason to put on some weight, and that included eating all the right things in order to do so. I feel like when I came to camp last spring I was a little light, so that was my goal this winter to put on weight, and I feel good right now.
• Orioles prospects receive extended look in Spring Training
MLBPipeline.com: Did your late-season call-up to Double-A Bowie and subsequent trip to the AFL prepare you for camp this year?
Sisco: It's definitely helped prepare me. Getting called up to Double-A for the final month of the season was awesome -- just to be in a winning atmosphere in the middle of playoff race and then win the [Eastern League] championship. The Fall League was great because I was around lots of experienced guys from different teams and was able to see how they go about their business.
MLB Pipeline Spring Training reports
MLBPipeline.com: What has it been like to work with a veteran catcher such as Matt Wieters?
Sisco: I would honestly say I'm better than I was two weeks ago after having the opportunity to work with and learn from Matt and Caleb Joseph. One of the biggest things I've learned from them is the importance of preparation and having a routine, just being consistent in everything you do.
MLBPipeline.com: How do you think you've progressed defensively in the last year? Are there certain aspects of your game that you're focusing on this spring?
Sisco: At the beginning of last year I was a little inconsistent, but I think a lot of that had to due with my preparation. I got better at doing that when I was called up to Bowie and the pitchers really started to work with me, and then I got to watch a lot of different catchers in the Fall League and observe their techniques. The biggest thing for me right now is working on my footwork and throws to second. I'm confident in my blocking and receiving, and I'm starting to gain a lot of confidence throwing the ball too. It's felt really good the last couple of days.
MLBPipeline.com: I saw you hang in there against a tough slider from Twins lefty Tyler Jay and rip it through the right side the other day. I take it the swing that netted you the 2013 South Atlantic League batting title is feeling good?
Sisco: The swing always feels good. Right now, it's more about the timing and getting used to seeing some pitches. I'm just trying to work deep counts and get myself as prepared for the season as possible.