On June 9, 2010, Noah Mull became the first Wheeling Jesuit athlete drafted by a professional sports team when the San Diego Padres selected him in the 38th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Mull took the time to sit and reflect on his time at Wheeling Jesuit, and to discuss the beginning of his professional baseball career.
Q: How was your experience at Wheeling Jesuit University?
A: It was definitely a great experience. I have met a lot of people, some who have become my best friends. I also took a lot of pride putting on the red and black WJU colors.
Q: Are you happy with your decision to return to WJU for a fifth year?
A: Absolutely, it was well worth it. I was able to begin studying for my MBA and to improve some areas of my game. With the extra year everything finally came together and paid off.
Q: Will you complete your MBA?
A: Yes, hopefully not for a long time. I want to stay in the game for as long as I can. After its over, I plan to finish the MBA.
Q: What was your most memorable moment on the field as a team?
A: It was in a game where I didn’t actually play. We were down two runs in the bottom of the ninth against Mercyhurst College this year. Wick (freshman Corey Wickham) was up with two outs and the bases loaded. He tee’d off on the first pitch for a walk-off grand slam. Just to see and feel the emotion on everyone’s faces and all of us jumping up and down was an amazing feeling. We needed that as a team, and it’s something I will always remember.
Q: What was your favorite performance on the mound?
A: Recording 13 strikeouts against Seton Hill. They always play us tough and are the loudest team when you’re on the mound. To silence them for the first time in my career was my favorite performance.
Q: Best memory at WJU?
A: Six o’clock in the morning swim workouts. Everyone was still half asleep but still joking around and making the best of being in a freezing cold pool.
Q: How was the entire draft process for the last two years?
A: Last season (2008-09) I spoke with a few scouts, and it was looking very promising and when it didn’t happen, I was really disappointed. Looking back, I really wasn’t ready. Coming back to Jesuit for a fifth year helped me mature into an actual pitcher. So this year it was “cool” seeing scouts at every game I threw. Next, I went from filling out packets to pre-draft workouts and then waiting for my name to be called. It was long but definitely worth it. Now I’ve earned an opportunity, and it is up to me to perform and take it day by day.
Q: Did you expect the San Diego Padres to draft you?
A: Six teams expressed interest in me and stayed in contact throughout the season during the whole draft process. Out of those six teams three seemed really interested and the Padres were one of them. They had a lot of positive things to say after my pre-draft workout and expressed their interest selecting me in the draft.
Q: Where will you begin your professional career?
A: I will start on San Diego’s Rookie Ball team in Peoria, AZ, which is 15 minutes north of Phoenix and 30 minutes away from three of my college teammates (Dominic San Felippo, Jordan Kraus, Tom Charles) who are playing in a wooden bat summer league there. I leave Monday, June 14th and practice starts on Tuesday. The season starts on the following Monday on June 21st.
Q: Do you know what to expect?
A: Everyone is here for one reason, and it is to make it to the big leagues. My approach will be the same as always — be the hardest worker I can be on and off the field, take care of my body, and keep a cool head on the mound. I feel I just need to throw strikes and trust my stuff to go after hitters. I want to learn as much as I can and hopefully keep moving up the ladder.
Q: Any special “shout-outs?”
A: Yes, I would like to thank my parents, family, friends, teachers, and professors who supported me throughout the years. Lastly, I’d like to thank each and every one of my teammates and coaches past and present for always believing in me. I am honored to have shared the field with them. Special thanks to the catchers for putting up with all my bullpens! Go Cardinals!
